cnc cnc machines

How Computers Aid In the Manufacturing of Kitchen Countertops

2010-12-14T07:44:00.000-08:00

The process of having new granite, or other natural stone, kitchen countertop installed is much more complex and involved than most home owners realize. Years ago all measurements were taken with the tried and true tape measure, but despite accurate measurements it was not uncommon for there to be some nudging and adjustments when fitting the fabricated stone. In older homes most of the stone work needed to be performed on-site. There are quite a few varying methods used now to achieve precise measurements and the perfect desired natural stone countertop.

Today some fabricators still rely on physical templates created from the cabinet placement by laying a long sheet over the top of the floor cabinets. Marking and measuring for the ends of the cabinetry and sink placement are then notated on the sheet material. Once all shapes and edges are marked out the sheet is then taken to the fabrication shop. Here the template is used to create a granite slab matching the shape and cut-outs on the template sheet.

One alternative to the sheet template method, which also happens to be the most recent advancement in the fabrication of countertops, is laser templating and measuring. An over-simplified explanation of the process of using laser templates is through the use of a stationary computer and some handheld computer, often resembling a pen. This small mobile pen is moved to several different points through the kitchen. At each point the coordinates are transmitted via some form of wireless networking with the stationary terminal and recorded. From each coordinate entered, a picture template can be instantly generated using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software.

Another additional method for acquiring precise measurements is the use of digital photo templating. This process uses a camera to take pictures of a layout which is then processed by computer to create a master template for the desired countertop. Again specialized CAD software is used in this process.

Through the use of computers, what could often take hours to create a template, can now be done in less than 15 minutes in some cases. While the field work may take a few moments, the actual cutting of the stone slab is still a time consuming task. Large digitizing machines and tables measuring 6 feet by 12 feet allow fabricators to perfectly create the precise shape from the template. Computer Numerical Control (CNC) cutters, water jets and automatic saws can be controlled by computer which increases precision and speed, while at the same time minimizing wasted material and errors.

Many websites provide additional information on the topic of granite and other natural stone countertops and vanities. One such site worth visiting is http://www.northstargranitetops.com.

Dan Elliott independently authors articles for WebDrafter.com, Inc. (http://www.webdrafter.com) for search engine marketing. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those solely of the author, and not of any other person, company, or organization. No guarantee or warranty, express or implied, is made regarding the accuracy, fitness, or use of the content herein.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_P_Elliott

Computer based Rebar detailing systems help Structural consultants

2010-12-14T07:42:00.000-08:00

Accurate Rebar design and detailing for reinforcement of steel or concrete structure plays important role in raising the standards of safety for any building construction projects. The Rebar detailer prepares bar bending schedules, shop drawings and rebar dimensions for effective reinforcement. Rebar design is a time-consuming and complex process.

Improving the communication flow among different trades involved in the rebar design project helps expedite the design process and reduce the amount of reproduction. This in turn helps reduce errors and drawing time with savings in cost.

Structural design consultants generally outsource rebar design drawings work to a subcontractor or team of rebar detailers. The detailers are responsible for providing complete sheets of calculations, shop drawings and general arrangement drawings for fabrication as per the specifications. The detailer is liable to make necessary changes in the drawings till he receives final approval from consultants.

Typically for any project, reinforcement drawings may be revised many times as a result of human error or a change in design suggested by one of the trades involved in the project. This process of revising drawings play crucial role in turn around time and cost of construction. The rebar detailer can save revision time by paying off for time used by the consultant engineer in the production of final drawings. Industry best practices suggest that the detail drawings should be returned for approval and review to the consultant engineer.

Computer based Rebar detailing systems help Structural consultants, detailers and fabricators streamline approvals and co-ordinate on the same single platform. The lack of an agreed data exchange format makes it difficult for them to exchange bending schedules and other details with ease. Modern CAD systems such as AutoCAD and RebarCAD removes this limitations by allowing the user to convert project data from hand-drawn sketches to DWG, DWF or CNC files within clicks of mouse. Once information is fed to bending machine it produces reasonably accurate rebars, but the first one or two bars are taken as samples for quality check.

Post your queries at info@outsourcestructuraldrafting.com

Richard Bose is Rebar detailer at OSD - an established offshore firm offering wide range of Structural Design, Structural 3D Modeling and Structural engineering services at affordable rates. To get answers of your queries visit us at http://www.outsourcestructuraldrafting.com/rebar-detailing-steel.php

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Bose

An Essential For The Keen Woodworker

2010-12-14T07:40:00.000-08:00

Carbide router bits contain carbide, a tough material meant to stand up to the high speeds and serious demands of woodworking professionals. It provides a each bit with a longer lifespan, allowing for more return on one's investment since it will last longer, provide greater convenience, and be less prone to damage.

Carbide bits are less likely to crack than those that do not utilize carbide, and they are less likely to wear down and need to be replaced. The leading manufacturers of bits make use of carbide in the production of their products specifically because their customers demand a high-quality bit. While some bits do not use carbide or include carbide caps, the more expensive, high-end examples of this product nearly always do. One example is the industry leader in router bits, Amana.

The Amana company boasts the use of carbide in all of its bit lines. Out of all manufacturers, Amana was the first to subscribe to, follow, and meet the standard set by Holz BG German for quality and safety. The carbon alloy steel used by Amana for its router bits contains vanadium particles that improve the quality of the bits, add to their lifespan, and ensure they will be less prone to corrosion, cracking, or any other type of damage.

The leading carbide producers in Europe, Ceratizit, supply the carbide used in all Amana bits, and the grinding is done via a CNC machine more advanced in its applications than those used by competitors. In the router bit market, it almost goes without saying that carbide router bits are the highest-quality router bits available.

Carbide is usually applied at the tip of the bits - that is, the part that actually does the cutting - to ensure a clean, smooth, polished cut that avoids slipping and chattering that may destroy the material used to complete the job.

Carbide-tipped bits are often sold in sets. Besides Amana, another company that makes carbide-tipped bits is Skil, offering an 18-piece set of carbide bits in a wooden storage case among other products.

Skil claims similar quality to the industry leaders like Amana, but keeps the cost of its carbide-tipped bits low. Many brands are available, and many sets with various bits serving a number of functions are made with carbide for a long-lasting, quality bit product.

Get the best deals in Bosch router bits and raised panel router bits and get your FREE woodworking book.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terry_J_Router

CNC AUTOMATIC LATHE

2009-09-13T23:13:00.001-07:00

CNC AUTOMATIC LATHE

Click here for details.

LICO Machinery Co., Ltd., the professional manufacturer of CNC AUTOMATIC LATHE.Gang Tooling as Standard, Options With Turret & Rotary Tools.
*Best value and most versatile machine available for all production shops.
*Optional hydraulic live tools, Both facing and crossing, Allows secondary combined eith 48-position spindle indexing or C-axis. Good for various secodart operation.
*Can be used as a gang tool machine or an optional 8-position turret.
*Use of an optional bar feeder for unattened high volume production.
Live tool
Hydraulic live tool with the spindle 48 dividing system and C-axis function can make secondaryoperation on the nachine.
High speed, high precision indexing turret
The 8-position tool turret ensures high repeated positioning accuracy and rigidity. Rapid indexing time form 0.15 sec. to 1.2 sec, The too; disc has a bulit-in coolant nozzle that is directed straight to the tool tips.
Z-axis box beam
nsures high rigidity. TURCITE coating allows for smooth and precise movements.
Telescopic cover protect the ballscrew.
The dovetail X-axis slide
permits mounting of gang tools(sub plate also available) and or hydraulic tooling spindle as well as an 8-position turret with thru coolant.
Standard controller
Either "MITSUBISHI" M64SL or "SIEMENS" 802D or FANUC OiMATE controller.
3-Jaw hydraulic chuck
This machine is equipped with a Ø6" or Ø8" 3-jaw hydraulic hollow chuck.
For enlarge wrkpiece machine.
Wiring is enclosed
in a cabinet and a standard heat exchanger ensures cooler temperature for the electronic components.

CNC Lathes, Mills and Borers from LaserBond

2009-09-13T23:09:00.000-07:00

CNC Lathes, Mills. Borers, cylindrical, surface and internal grinders

Large Capacity CNC Lathes, Mills and Borers

A comprehensive range of modern, large capacity CNC Lathes, Mills and Borers, in addition to a variety of conventional manual lathes, mills and borers, cylindrical, surface and internal grinders etc are installed in both the Gladstone and Ingleburn facilities
These are used to manufacture new components (from one offs to large batches) and parts in a wide range of sizes, weights and geometries
Additionally, this equipment is utilised to restore and reclaim worn and damaged components to precise tolerances and required surface finishes

LaserBond New Equipment

The company has recently invested in several new pieces of equipment, including a large HNK CNC Borer (X-4000mm, Y-2300mm, Z-2300mm, Payload- 15,000kg) complete with 30 tool automatic changer and CNC facing head
New Okuma CNC lathes/mills have also been installed to enhance existing CNC turning capacity
These acquisitions equip LaserBond with significant capability, and the capacity to provide the highest quality work with quick turnarounds to meet the needs of breakdowns and shutdowns when necessary
A full capacity and capabilities list is available on our website

Six-Spindle CNC Automatic Lathe

2009-09-13T23:07:00.001-07:00

The six-spindle automatic lathe, the Euroturn 6/26 CNC from Maxim International, is built with six independent cross slides, six independent endworking slides, five independent compound slides and an independent backworking slide. The machine is especially useful for high-volume turning applications, especially in the automotive and aerospace industries.

The lathes offers an advanced CNC control incorporating an operator-friendly Graphic Programming System. Complete with an onboard CAD/CAM system, the operator has the ability to draw a picture of the part to be machined using the CAD feature, program the part drawing using the CAM feature and then run the parts all from the control panel.

CNC 4-axis machine resharpens drills in seconds

2009-08-28T03:24:00.001-07:00

CNC 4-axis drill sharpener with an easy-to-use touch screen panel easily reproduces the complex, high quality points found on today's premium HSS and carbide drills.

The 1st MTA company demonstrated the Darex XPS-16 CNC drill sharpener, which, said the company, carries out the advanced CNC 4-axis sharpening of a wide range of twin flute drill point types using simple, one-touch operation.

The XPS-16's advanced CNC operation enables it to easily reproduce the complex, high quality points found on today's premium HSS and carbide drills.

1st MTA told manufacturingtalk that an easy-to-learn touchscreen interface allows even novice users to produce perfectly re-sharpened drill points in seconds.

The XPS-16 is suitabel for conical, four facet, split point and radius split point bits with angles from 118-150 deg as standard.

A 90-118deg add-on option is also available.

1st MTA said that the XPS-16 will sharpen HSS, cobalt and carbide drills from 3-16mm diameter and 50-220mm long.

It has been designed specifically for heavy duty use within busy machine shop environments and is can sharpen more than 400 drills/day.

* Easy operation - a blunt drill is first inserted into the sharpener's chuck and the required drill point type selected using a simple touchscreen panel.

On initiation of the sharpening cycle, three independent electronic sensors automatically detect the drill's length and diameter; precisely locate the cutting edge and calculate the web thickness.

The unit then sharpens the drill and applies the required split point form, in one seamless operation.

The XPS-16 will also hone carbide drill edges as part of the automatic process - extending tool life and maximising drill bit machining accuracy.

* CBN and diamond wheels - the machine is equipped with CBN and Diamond wheels that are designed to sharpen 2,000 to 4,000 drills.

Metal removal is set at a minimum to extend drill life.

However, this can be overridden by up to 0.50mm if necessary, to compensate for gouges or nicked drill edges.

The XPS-16 allows user-specific drill sharpening programs to be produced easily and stored for future use.

It also has Darex's latest Grind Motion Control system, which detects excess material on the blunt drill bit.

The system enables the grinding feed rate to be adjusted automatically, to prevent abrasive 'burning' and to provide optimum sharpening performance.

* Low maintenance - the unit's long-lasting super-abrasive plated grinding wheels and lifetime-lubricated seals ensure low maintenance and a long service life.

The sharpener also incorporates a vacuum filtration system to eliminate grit and airborne contaminants such as carbide dust.

In addition, its computerised controls are backed by advanced diagnostic software that will alert operators to potential problems during the sharpening cycle.

* About 1st Machine Tool Accessories - offering a comprehensive range of top quality products at competitive prices, 1st Machine Tool Accessories is a leading supplier of workholding and machining accessories including collets; chuck jaws; Kitagawa chucking, rotary tables and vices (vises); Leave fixturing and clamping products; Chick workholding equipment; Darex tool sharpeners; OK Vises; Brighetti reduction bushes; deburring and countersink tools; IEMCA barfeeders; 3Nine oil mist filtration; Cooljet high pressure coolant systems; machine mounts and Overbeck deburring twister lathes.

1st MTA's extensive stock holding is backed by excellent warranty and service provided by a dedicated team of technical engineers; demonstrations of some products are available from external sales specialists.

Second CNC tool measuring machine added

2009-08-28T03:23:00.002-07:00

A second CNC tool measuring machine will help unplug an inspection bottleneck at a tool maker created by increased customer demand for documented inspection reports.

Specialist tooling manufacturer and supplier, Industrial Tooling Corporation (ITC), had had installed the UK's first Walter Helicheck Plus CNC tool measuring machine.

Supplied by Koerber Schleifring UK of Honiley near Kenilworth, UK, the Helicheck Plus complements ITC's existing Walter Toolcheck tool measuring machine.

Koerber Schleifring told manufacturingtalk that ITC was currently the only UK company operating two Walter tool measuring machines.

The machineswill help 'unplug' an inspection 'bottleneck' at the company created by increased customer demand for documented inspection reports.

Technical director at ITC, Peter Graves, said that the Helicheck Plus will prove invaluable in allowing the Tamworth-based company to streamline floor-to-floor times of, for example, form tools produced and delivered with appropriate documentation for manufacturing certification and traceability, for aerospace customers such as Rolls-Royce.

Capable of measuring tools within the 0.1mm to 200mm diameter range, the Walter Helicheck Plus is equipped with four fixed cameras for non-contact, fully automatic measurement routines in accordance with VDI/VDE 2617.

The machine achieves a measuring length deviation of E1 = (1.4 + L/300mm) micron, where L equals measuring length.

The machine has a substantial granite block with excellent vibration damping.

The Helicheck Plus features front, back and top light camera magnification of up to 400x for micro tools, and back light up to 50x for standard larger tools.

The machine has a Diffusor 'soft light' illumination that avoids excessive reflection of the face/feature being measured, to aid inspection clarity.

ITC operates eight Walter Helitronic 5-axis CNC tool grinders and other tool production/grinding equipment and designs, manufactures and regrinds high-precision drills and reamers among a wide range of HSS and carbide tooling.

Customers include the motor sport (Formula One) and die and mouldmaking sectors in the UK and overseas, as well as the aerospace sector.

It is also UK stockist of Hanita (Israel) and Metal Removal (USA) products.

Discount on Darex XPS-16 CNC drill sharpener

2009-08-28T03:23:00.001-07:00

1st Machine Tool Accessories has cut 20 per cent from the price of its Darex XPS-16 CNC drill sharpener for the rest of the year.

There will also be a 90 deg upgrade package worth GBP998.00 with every XPS-16 ordered.

Having the XPS-16 available in-house offers users a rapid payback.

Whether replacing tools or sending them out to be resharpened, the costs of purchasing, issuing payment and stocktaking are eliminated.

In many machine shops, it is the most experienced (and expensive) employees who are asked to resharpen 'emergency' drills by hand.

The unit will therefore pay for itself many times over in a short period of time.

Representing the ultimate in precision, simplicity and productivity, the XPS-16 offers sophisticated CNC four-axis sharpening of a wide range of twin-flute drill-point types - enabling it to quickly reproduce the complex, high quality profiles found on premium HSS, cobalt and carbide drills.

Its easy-to-learn touchscreen interface allows inexperienced users to produce perfectly resharpened drills in seconds.

To underline the system's capabilities and ease of operation, 1st MTA will also arrange free demonstrations of the XPS-16 at customers' premises on request.

Suitable for conical, four facet, split point and radius split-point bits with angles from 118-150 deg as standard, the XPS-16 will sharpen drills from 3-16mm diameter and 50-220mm long.

It has been designed specifically for heavy-duty use within busy machine shop environments and is capable of sharpening more than 400 drills a day.

This drill sharpener's automatic cycle hones and deburrs the cutting edge of carbide drills in less than one minute, extending tool life and maximising drill-bit machining accuracy.

In operation, the XPS-16 allows up to 25 user-specific drill-point geometries to be easily programmed and stored for future use.

It also incorporates Darex's latest Grind Motion Control system, which monitors the load on the grinding wheel and automatically adjusts feed and speed while keeping the drills cool.

Electroplated super-abrasive wheels are included - CBN for sharpening HSS drills and Diamond for carbide drills - to ensure a smooth finish.

Metal removal is set at a minimum to extend drill life; this can be overridden by up to 0.50mm if necessary to compensate for gouges or damaged edges.

Lifetime-lubricated seals ensure low maintenance and a long service life.

The vacuum filtration system eliminates grit and airborne contaminants such as carbide dust, keeping the machine clean while acting as a coolant.

In addition, advanced diagnostic software alerts operators to potential problems during the sharpening cycle.

CNC machine grinds super-hard materials

2009-08-28T03:22:00.000-07:00

The Ewag Compact Line CNC grinding machine is designed for the flexible and precise manufacturing or sharpening of indexable inserts in all materials.

Whether the material is carbide, cermet, ceramic or super-hard CBN/PCD, the CNC grinding machine meets all of the requirements for precision and speed - especially with the realisation of complex workpiece geometries.

The machine is fitted with the CBN/PCD module for grinding super-hard materials and now also for machining diamond cutting materials.

The Compact Line has a compact construction, features ergonomic operation and an integrated robot system.

Inside the machine, everything is positioned close to the working B-axis; the travel ranges for axes and robots are therefore kept to a minimum, cycle and downtimes are shortened, and productivity is increased.

The machine interior and control elements are accessible from one position.

A rapid change system allows the operator to exchange the grinding wheels easily at the push of a button.

The HSKE 50 clamping system for grinding wheels ensures quick and accurate change-over of grinding-wheel sets.

The workpieces are fixed to the clamping device with a tension pin.

All clamping systems are mechanically installed on the B-axis and are identified by a 'plug-and-play' system.

The result is flexibility and short change-over times.

The 'three-in-one' sharpening unit - dressing, regenerating, and crushing - provides good grinding wheel concentricity and high repeat accuracy of processes.

3D measurement of workpieces in one clamping ensures the required tolerances are met from the start.

Loading is carried out with the integrated six-axis Fanuc robot, which increases the level of machine automation and permits autonomous multi-shift operation.

The Compact Line incorporates five-axis CNC kinematics, direct drive of the grinding spindle and linear technology.

UK mould maker invests in milling/EDM

2009-08-18T08:52:00.001-07:00

Precision Moulds and Tools Services has invested in one new VCP 800W Duro EDM and four new HSM 800 high-speed milling machines supplied by GF AgieCharmilles.

Aylesbury, UK-based injection mould tool specialist, Precision Moulds and Tools Services (PM and T), has bought from GF AgieCharmilles one VCP 800W Duro EDM and four HSM 800 high-speed milling machines.

PM and T has installed four of the machine tools at the company's 10,000ft2 facility in Aylesbury and of the HSM 800 at its manufacturing facility in Sri Lanka.

All the machines produce parts for high-precision, complex and competitively-priced mould tools (from single impression to multi-impression and twin-shot tooling).

PM and T provides a total systems service to its customers including the design, manufacture and supply of complex, high-precision tooling while working in close cooperation with customers.

In doing so, PM and T develop and design products from concept and prototype tooling, through to single impression pre-production and multi impression production tooling.

In addition, rigorous pre-production testing and sampling will be extended over the next few months through a new 2,000ft2 in-house mould validation facility, with twin-shot and three-shot mouldinhg capability, which will be housed at its Aylesbury site.

PMandT's 'concept through to completion' business approach is not essentially unique - but it has helped differentiate the company from a significant proportion of its competitors.

* Technology investments - State-of-the-art EDM and wire EDM machines, housed in a fully temperature-controlled environment, have ensured that the company can meet (and exceed) its customer's quality (accuracy, surface finish, etc) and delivery requirements.

In 2006 PM and T invested in its first VCP 800W Duro and HSM 800 3-axis milling machine from GF AgieCharmilles.

Said PM and T managing director, Michael Rush: "The machines deliver excellent performance on speed, accuracy and surface finish.

We use these mainly for machining hardened (HRC 58) intricate and micro-feature cavity inserts".

He said that the speed of the HSM 800 (36,000 rev/min, high-torque spindle capability and 40m/min rapid feeds) and its ability to deliver surface finishes of 0.2 micron Ra, and positional accuracies of +/-5 micron, have enabled PM and T to rely less and less on its more-time-consuming EDM machines to achieve desired part quality and to ensure manufacturing lead times are met.

The machine has also eliminated the need, in many instances, for costly and time-intensive hand polishing of mould tools.

Rush added: "We were so impressed with our first HSM 800 that we recently invested in a further three machines".

* About PM and T - PM and T was established in 1991 by joint managing directors Michael Rush and Paul Newton.

At a time when many UK- and European-based toolmakers were contracting or diversifying their operations away from toolmaking to precision component manufacture, PM and T was experiencing significant growth.

Its management said that recent strategic and prudent investments made in design, manufacture, sales and marketing, etc, reversed the trend as far as PM and T was concerned.

Rush said: "We study macro- and micro-market trends, we analyse customer behaviour and we 'benchmark' ourselves against the competition.

When we consider the time is right, and when we're convinced that the benefits outweigh the risks - we act decisively and make 'telling' investments".

These investments include the following.

* Purchasing advanced, high-performance machine tools.

* Opening up a new manufacturing facility in Sri Lanka.

* Building a mould validation shop at the company's Aylesbury site.

* Appointing a German-based sales representative soon to exploit business opportunities across Europe.

All of these strategic investments, reinforce PM and T's customer-focused approach to business, and have helped the company increase sales and share.

* Overseas operation - in 1998 PM and T began an overseas operation in Sri Lanka to provide the company with reliable and cost-efficient manufacturing capability that supported the company's UK operations.

Since then the business focus has changed.

Rush explained: "We made a strategic decision not to allow our Sri Lankan operation to 'play second fiddle' to what we have here in the UK.

Our intention now is to ensure that the Sri Lankan facility is as good - technically and commercially - as our UK operation".

What PM and T is doing is as follows.

* Installing high-performance machine tools including one of the recently-purchased HSM 800 machines.

* Thoroughly traing Sri Lankan technical engineers at PM and T's UK facility.

* Using high speed video conferencing for communications between the UK and Sri Lanka facilities.

PM and T sales director, Joe Boscarini, explained: "Our two facilities operate seamlessly.

All of our mould tool design and consultancy work is undertaken here in the UK - as are our sales, marketing and commercial activities.

Manufacturing and production, including mould repair and modification can be undertaken at either site to the same high quality standards.

Boscarini continued: "Our Sri Lankan facility has not only given us improved manufacturing flexibility and increased capability - it has also allowed us to better-plan our production schedules and to control our costs.

For our customers this means faster turnaround and improved delivery times, and more economic mould tool production.".

C Dugard of Hove has added a CNC horizontal boring machine to its Dugard Eagle range

2009-08-18T08:51:00.005-07:00

C Dugard of Hove has added a CNC horizontal boring machine to its Dugard Eagle range

The machine is designed for those who require a high-specification, rigid and powerful solution for large components weighing up to five tonnes and up to 5.5m by 2.6m by 1.3m that require precision boring, milling, drilling and certain turning cycles.

The HBM-4 weighs some 22 tonnes, has a 30kW motor mounted within a heavy-duty column that is carried over its 1,600 Z-axis stroke on hardened and ground boxways having the advantage of two additional supporting ways giving maximum stability and aiding positioning accuracy.

A multi-pitch worm driven rotary table of 1,200mm by 1,500mm with one micron indexing as standard and a hydraulic clamping torque of 4.5 tonnes applied to the heavy-duty bed ensures precision indexing and rigidity.

This enables heavy cutting and tool overhang conditions such as when line-type boring operations are performed typical of the use for a machine of this type.

The spindle and sleeve assembly is supported on double rollers with ISO 50 taper to the 110mm diameter quill and the W-axis outfeed stroke is 550mm.

Driven through a high torque gearbox with oil chiller, hardened and ground gears and automatic two-speed change, the spindle revolutions available are between 35 and 3,000revs/min.

The spindle is served by a 60 tool magazine using a travelling arm tool exchange with easy access for tool loading from the rear.

The maximum tool diameter, automatically handled by the system, is 250mm by 300mm long and weighing up to 25kg.

Travel in X-axis is 2,200 mm with 1,600 mm in Y and Z axes covered at rapid traverse rates of 12m/min.

Combined axis feed rates are fully programmable between one and 5,000mm/min while the B-axis rotary table has a top speed of 8revs/min to provide a turning or profiling capability.

An auger type chip conveyor is standard with options of an angle or universal milling head, a facing head with telescopic toolholder, spindle extension sleeves and an 1,800 increment rotary table.

Control is via Fanuc 18i/20i or Heidenhain's iTNC 530.

CNC bed-type milling machine has than paid for itself in the machining

2009-08-18T08:51:00.003-07:00

CNC bed-type milling machine has than paid for itself in the machining of the 32 tonnes of steel for tooling plates used in the robotic fabrication of prison cell doors.

Fern Engineering Systems is using an XYZ SMX 5000 manual/CNC bed mill to machine various sizes of steel tooling plate for a self-contained robotic welding cell.

The bed mill, with solid Meehanite ribbed cast iron construction and induction hardened and ground slides and Turcite-B coated ways, has been in continuous use since its installation.

Owner of Fern, Andrew Beckley said the bed mill had more than paid for itself in the machining of the 32 tonnes of steel needed to produce tooling plates for the robotic welding cell.

The welding cell is for Cell Security, which will produce different designs of cell doors destined for prisons, police stations and other security applications worldwide.

At Welding Security, the tooling plates can be changed in 10 min or less, allowing various designs of cell door to be fabricated quickly and accurately in a wide range of sizes.

Located at Whitebirk, Blackburn, Fern was set up by Andrew Beckley and Paul Jackson in January 2004.

Fern has always had a company policy to control the entire manufacturing process, which is why Fern took delivery in 2007 of the XYZ SMX 5000 manual/CNC bed mill.

The SMX 5000 has a 5.75kW (7.5HP)/5000 rev/min main spindle serving a 1930mm by 356mm table having a load capacity of 850kg.

X- and Y-axis travels are 1524mm by 596mm.

These specifications made the SMX 5000 an ideal choice for the machining of the various sizes of steel tooling plate used in Cell Security's robotic welding cell.

* Robotic welding cells - on average Fern Engineering Systems builds and ships a bespoke automated welding cell every 8.6 weeks, each one designed as a skid-mounted unit for ease of transportation and installation.

It took less than 12 weeks - from the initial enquiry from Cell Security to delivery on site - and just over 4h for the welding cell to be fully operational.

Before welding cell installation it took up to 10h for Cell Security to construct and manually weld each security door.

The robotic welding cell does the job in as little as 40 min.

Fern employs eight people and Beckley said it is important to maintain the flexibility and fast response of a small business.

This, he adds, requires every member of the team to be multi-skilled.

So, although a control engineer by training, he is equally at home developing and refining the company's proprietary Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) software or machining components for the latest project.

He said: "Engineering companies that we know do good work have XYZ machines and we took note of their recommendations when it came to our choice of machine tool".

XYZ told manufacturingtalk that it was a demonstration at XYZ Machine Tools' regional showroom in Blackburn that provided convincing evidence to Fern of the manual/CNC bed mill's metal removal capability and the ease of use of its ProtoTRAK SMX control.

This latest-generation CNC is deesigned for 'one-off' and low volume production.

The CNC uses plain English prompts and requires no learning of codes, allowing an operator with little or no CNC experience to operate the SMX 5000 within a day, said XYZ.

"It is this ease of use that really appeals," said Beckley, "As it is in line with our own business practice.

We were, for example, awarded a contract by a major automotive parts manufacturer for a system to control 71 automated welding cells after we were able to demonstrate conclusively the flexibility and cost savings achievable with our custom-written Production Management Tools software compared with more expensive off-the-shelf SCADA packages.".

Schaublin Machine Tools has supplied a medical device manufacturer with a Schaublin 48V CNC mill

2009-08-18T08:51:00.001-07:00

Schaublin Machine Tools has supplied a medical device manufacturer with a Schaublin 48V CNC mill and Renishaw probe system to produce high-accuracy parts.

Schaublin engineers helped train Clada Medical's Raphael Blowick, to use the equipment.

Blowick, not a production engineer, faced a steep learning curve when it came to machining.

Blowick said: 'I've always liked designing parts in Solidworks.

'The problem for me has been turning those designs into physical parts.' Starting with the premise that for the medical parts he intends to make, accuracy and process consistency are more important than complexity, Blowick took advice and invested in a Schaublin 48V mill fitted with a Renishaw OMP 40 probe.

He then took the decision to go further, purchasing GibbsCAM, to turn his 3D designs into machining programs, Renishaw's Productivity Plus software, to automate the programming of probe routines, and Renishaw's CNC reporter, an SPC package used to analyse and control the production process.

He said: 'Frank Boston from Schaublin Machine Tools supplied the Schaublin 48V milling machine, together with the probe system from Renishaw.

'He introduced me to Guy Brown from GSPS, to set up the purchased software packages configured for the Schaublin 48V.' Brown installed Renishaw's Productivity Plus plug-in for GibbsCAM to integrate the creation of probing cycles with the creation of metal cutting tool paths within the Virtual Gibbs package.

A complete metal cutting process can be defined and simulated prior to machine prove-out.

Simulation provides graphical identification of the work piece and shows any potential fixture collision with cutting tools.

Productivity Plus seamlessly adds the probe moves into the simulation, so that the whole process is developed off-line.

The net result for Blowick is short and reliable prove-out times.

He said: 'The probe measures the part as part of the production cycle, with the measured data recorded by CNC Reporter, providing feedback to adjust the process and keep it within control limits.

'The great thing about it is the way it updates the tool offset - I know I can get a precision part every time, with the system automatically controlling itself.

'Brown and Boston helped me make a calibration part, incorporating most of the features I would be likely to machine.

'I know exactly what I have to do and the tools are all set up in the library, so I use it and do not need to mess around with it or change it.

'The probing moves are in there to control the process but also to verify the finished parts - if there is any variation that can be fed back to the CNC control.

'I can also get a print-out for the Q and A people or for my own records.'.

Jean Michel Vallet has built his engineering workshop by making precision components on CNC machines

2009-08-18T08:50:00.003-07:00

Jean Michel Vallet has built his engineering workshop by making precision components on CNC machines for mostly local companies, but always with one eye on his long-held dream of building a race car.

In the early 1970s, Vallet was quick to realise the potential of CNC, investing in the first of many numerically controlled machines.

In the late 1990s, the time came to move to new premises; and it was the ideal opportunity to streamline the company's workshop.

'When we built this new factory, we had something like seven different makes of CNC machine tools,' said Vallet.

'Running the factory was complicated and inefficient.

'For the sake of productivity, we had to standardise.' In 1998, Vallet took a trip to the Paris machine tool show where, where he came across Haas CNC machine tools.

'We found the best machines for our growing company,' he added.

'All Haas machines have the same control, which means if you can program one, you can program all of them.

'Plus, they offer lots of torque, which is ideal because we often use large diameter end mills on stainless steel.' He was also impressed with the Haas fourth-axis capabilities.

The company now owns several Haas machines, including a VF-9 vertical machining centre.

Vallet began by supplying a local company making machines for bottling plants.

Today, the company's bread-and-butter work, the work which will pay for Vallet to pursue his motor racing dream, is mainly making parts for companies building food packaging and processing machines, plus some special and secretive aerospace projects.

'We make scale models of new and prototype aircraft, which are used for wind tunnel testing and are full of sensors measuring airflow and aerodynamic forces,' he said.

'We also make five-axis parts for our aerospace customers, which are actually comparatively straight forward to machine.

'The trickiest parts we make are for the food processing industry, machined from special stainless steels.

'These parts often have very tight tolerances, which is a challenge because we have to find ways of making them at the price the customer wants to pay.

'It's demanding work, which we're able to do because we use accurate but relatively low-cost machine tools.' In Vallet's busy workshop is a line of Haas machines including eight CNC vertical machining centres and five CNC turning centres.

One, a Haas VF-1, runs 24 hours a day using a Kuka robot arm to change parts.

An adjacent PC, using software designed personally by Vallet, controls the robot separately.

PCs interconnect all the machining stations, allowing managers to keep tight control of planning and scheduling.

The factory runs three shifts and 24 hours a day; 10 Haas machines running through the night with just five operators on duty.

'My aim is to create an entire racing car from just six solid blocks of aluminium, in 70 hours, using only four tools,' said Vallet.

Big blocks of aluminium, he admits, but just six, from which he intends to machine all of the major and supporting structural components, including the chassis, suspension, mounting brackets, and so on.

No castings, no extrusions, just solid parts.

'We'll buy-in brakes, glass, wheels, that sort of thing, we'll make the body from glass fibre and we'll use an Alfa Romeo V6 engine, giving 340HP,' he added.

'But otherwise, we'll make it here, on one Haas machine, in less than a week of running two shifts a day.'.

Techno CNC Routers has introduced the Pro Series CNC Router, for panel process manufacturing

2009-08-18T08:50:00.001-07:00

Techno CNC Routers has introduced the Pro Series CNC Router, for panel process manufacturing.

The Pro Series is made of welded and stress-relieved tubing, a good foundation for Techno's precision drive system.

The Pro Series drive system features precision ball-screw drives on all three axes, THK rails and bearings and a high-speed closed-loop servomotor and drive.

The Pro Series is available in sizes ranging from 4 x 8ft to 6 x 20ft.

The Pro Series machine can be equipped with a variety of spindle options, including automatic tool changer, collet spindles, drill banks or multi-spindle setup for high-volume part production.

The Pro Series is compatible with the multiple zone vacuum table, reverse engineering lasers and four-axis rotary tables.

The Techno CNC Router also features a CNC Servo G-Code Interface that is easy to learn and operate.

This Windows-based interface is a CNC program that includes: toolpath preview with viewing tools and adjustable screens, built in G-Code editor, machine speed and spindle rpm override, X/Y axis orientation swapping, program skip ahead (in case of tool breakage), built in basic nesting and production logging.

Micro tools ground surface finish improved

2009-08-12T08:47:00.001-07:00

Walter Maschinenbau advised that its Helitronic Micro tool and cutter grinder provides the most precise grinding results in a range of diameters from 0.1mm to 12.7mm.

Walter Maschinenbau in Germany said that the development of micro tools has seen a rapid upswing in recent years.

They are used for machining the smallest components, such as micro dies, graphite electrodes and toothed wheels.

These components are used in the electronics, medicine and dentistry industries.

The tools require the highest degree of precision.

Walter told manufacturingtalk that the surface quality of the micro tools has a considerable influence on the service life and on the quality of the workpiece machined.

* Tool and cutter grinding - the Helitronic Micro tool has a machine bed made of mineral casting and linear motor drives in all machine axes to give most precise grinding results for a range of tool diameters from 0.1mm to 12.7mm.

The machine also has six CNC grinding axes.

The linear motors and a high-resolution absolute measuring system produce highly precise movements with simultaneously high dynamics, said Walter.

Both features are necessary for obtaining the highest degree of precision and cost-effective manufacture of micro tools.

* Grinding wheel head - the grinding spindle head, which can be equipped either with two or three grinding spindles, guarantees a high degree of flexibility.

The optional automatic X' axis allows for the precise positioning of the tools close to the centre of rotation.

Additional guiding and support of the workpieces by hydraulically activated stationary supports with fine adjustment ensure high dimensional accuracies with rapid feed rates.

A full radius milling cutter with a diameter of 0.5mm, was mac hined on the Helitronic Micro.

The inspection of the surface quality was then measured on the Helicheck Plus machine .

Results showed excellent surfaces on the lateral cutting edges as well on the face.

The Helitronic Micro exhibits a high level of process safety, even during continuous operation.

During series production, the deviations according to tool diameter vary within only 1-2 micron, said Walter.

The Helitronic Micro ihas the latest version of the Walter Helitronic Tool Studio software.

Thanks to the simple user instructions and the high flexibility, nearly any tool geometries can be machined.

The machine can also be equipped with an integrated loading system served by a 6-axis robot.

The robot can also be used for other tasks as well as machine loading/unloading.

* About Waltermaschinenbau - Walter Maschinenbau has been producing tool grinding machines since 1953.

The company established itself as the world market leader with the launch of the Helitronic series in 1994.

Walter produces CNC machines under the name Helitronic for grinding and/or eroding of rotationally symmetrical precision tools, including PCD tools, for the metal and wood processing industries.

The Helitronic name stands for cutting-edge technology worldwide in tool grinding and tool eroding.

The production range is supplemented by the CNC Helicheck measuring machines for non-contact complete measurement of complex precision tools and rotationally symmetrical parts in one setting with documented precision.

Our success is the success of our customers - who expect the maximum from us in terms of quality, precision, productivity and service.

We offer an ideal product range covering the entire spectrum of requirements for both tool manufacturers and resharpening companies.

Our primary task is boosting our customers' productivity.

Anca offers next-generation CNC grinder

2009-08-12T08:46:00.000-07:00

Anca, a manufacturer of high-precision CNC grinding systems, has introduced its advanced MX7 machine.

With the ability to manufacture a variety of tools up to 16mm (5/8in) in diameter, Anca's next-generation CNC grinder is designed to meet the demand for tool production facilities seeking maximum output while still retaining the flexibility to react quickly to customer needs.

Adam Wallace, MX7 product manager, said: 'The MX7 really is a solution for today's manufacturing realities; it offers high output, enhanced flexibility and rapid changeover for high efficiency and support for lean manufacturing principles.' The MX7's permanent-magnet spindle is claimed to produce superior performance across the entire spindle working range.

It operates to a maximum of 10,000 revolutions per minute with a spindle power rating of 20kW/27HP (S1).

Further aiding precision, thanks to a lower current draw, less heat is generated and therefore less expansion takes place.

The MX7, with its higher torque at lower revolutions per minute, is particularly suited to efficient carbide grinding.

The inclusion of a standard wheel pack changer is intended to increase machine productivity and flexibility.

With its 10-second wheel change time and six HSK wheel packs, the MX7 is claimed to offer flexibility in manufacturing.

Wallace said: 'The MX7 provides the best of both worlds: superb flexibility and quick changeovers to accommodate smaller batch sizes, yet high output for production houses.

'That's where the 10-second wheel and tool changeover capability really makes its mark; it's a key strength and a competitive advantage of the MX7,' he added.

MX7 productivity can be further enhanced with the use of the MLX loader.

NL Machine Tool distributes Monza grinders

2009-08-04T04:54:00.001-07:00

NL Machine Tool Consulting has announced that it is the exclusive UK distributor for Italian manufacturer Officine Monzesi.

Officine Monzesi is the manufacturer of Viotto single and double disc grinders, Monvibro vibratory bowl/linear feeding units and bespoke automatic loading/unloading systems and Monza centreless grinding machines.

The company is also launching a line of modular CNC centreless grinding machines.

The Monza Line 20 is based upon robustness, reliability and ergonomic layout.

The range provides CNC solutions from one to eight axis, in six sizes, with grinding wheel from 300mm OD x 100mm wide, up to 610mm OD x 500mm wide, capable of grinding work pieces with a diameter up to 200mm, allowing high levels of stock removal with high standards of accuracy.

The machine base consists of an oversized one-piece cast-iron multiple-box section structure - heavily ribbed, vibration free and thermodynamically stable.

Electronically interlocked safety protection (guarding) provides a high level of operator safety and environmental protection, yet allows easy access to the grinding area for machine set-up or when manual loading is required.

Working carriage modification allows grinding of smaller component diameters even when the driving wheel is completely used.

The dressing process, when not controlled by CNC, has been transformed from hydraulic to electric, thus avoiding potential problems related to oil hydraulics.

All motors are digital, including the regulating wheel rotation.

The grinding wheel motor can be set to continuous constant surface speed.

Fully automatic wheel balancing is available as an option.

The Monza Line 20 range of centreless grinding machines equipped with Fanuc CNC control systems and Officine Monzesi software provide CNC programs that are designed to monitor and analyse the grinding cycle and allow the operator to work without using ISO programming.

This flexibility allows the grinding cycle to be changed quickly and the set-up time to be reduced.

A wide variety of application-specific loading/unloading systems are available as well as different types of post-process gauging systems, providing feedback information and automatic machine adjustment.

Lambert fits Schmitt AEMS into Bryant grinder

2009-08-04T04:53:00.002-07:00

Lambert fits Schmitt AEMS into Bryant grinder

Lambert recently won an order to rebuild a Bryant grinding machine for Revolvo, a midlands-based manufacturer of large and split bearings.

The machine has been installed at Revolvo's new premises in Dudley.

The high accuracy and repeatability demanded on a rebuilt Bryant grinding machine required an acoustic emission monitoring gap and crash control system from Schmitt Europe.

The high accuracy and repeatability demanded from the machine meant that Lambert chose to incorporate an AEMS (Acoustic Emission Monitoring System) gap and crash control system from Coventry-based Schmitt Europe.

The Bryant LL3 machine was upgraded with CNC control and new software developed in conjunction with Revolvo.

The grinder is capable of outside diameter (OD), inside diameter (ID) and track and lip (Vector) grinding of roller bearings from 50 to 450mm diameter.

The machine has a point wheel dresser unit as standard and has also been retrofitted with a custom-made radius dressing attachment capable of generating gothic-arch wheel profiles.

The machine was originally fitted with a spindle load meter, but retro-fitting with the Schmitt AEMS means that a slide-tube type acoustic sensor mounted inside the grinding spindle can now detect the grinding wheel touching the workpiece or diamond dresser within one millisecond.

This data is sent back via Schmitt's SB-4500 series electronics to the machine control.

The AEMS allows rapid grinding wheel in-feed right up to the point of initial contact with the part, saving considerable air grinding time (non-cutting time) and therefore reducing overall cycle times.

The Schmitt controller also gives a graphical output of noise levels during the grind, so the operator can see what is happening throughout the process in a user-friendly format.

The AEMS can monitor and safeguard against crash conditions occurring on the machine by sensing heavy contact between the abrasive wheel and bearing surface, or other part of the machine.

AE monitoring has also become an integral component in the dressing of abrasive wheels, especially CBN, where it is essential to remove as little material as possible.

The wheel profile can be plotted on screen during a dress, giving a picture of what is occurring on the wheel surface.

The slide-tube acoustic sensor uses non-contact technology and is telescopic to facilitate installation.

It sits inside a bore within a grinding-machine spindle or rotary diamond dresser.

This configuration allows the acoustic sensor to spin with the spindle and means it is in close proximity to the grinding event, giving a clear and uninterrupted signal.

Studer offers Kronos S 250 CNC centreless grinder

2009-08-04T04:53:00.001-07:00

Studer offers Kronos S 250 CNC centreless grinder

Studer has introduced the Kronos S 250 CNC centreless grinder machine concept.

The maximum diameter of the grinding wheel was enlarged to 400-450mm and, as a result, a 30 per cent lifetime increase was achieved.

The design of the cross-slide unit located on both the grinding wheel and regulating wheel side, combining dynamic digital drives and a high-precision ballscrew unit, enables the machine to operate only from four CNC axes.

This design provides the same functionality and flexibility as a six-axis machine.

The Kronos S 250 is designed for in-feed and through-feed grinding, using both conventional and CBN grinding wheels with a diameter range of 1.5mm to 35mm and an in-feed width of up to 245mm.

The utilisation of high-performance grinding wheel spindles and maintenance-free hybrid roller bearings allows the use of CBN grinding wheels with a peripheral speed up to 150m/s.

Another highlight of this machine is the special dressing system for the grinding and regulating wheels by means of four CNC axes in the centre on the workpiece level.

For the grinding wheel dressing, there are optionally stationary or rotating dressers available, which can quickly be changed.

The stationary grinding gap allows the use of low-cost automation equipment, which does not require any follow-up axis.

An integrated handling system with an interface for external transport and palletising devices can be offered as standard.

The compact design of the machine results from the integration of the control cabinet directly fixed onto the machine bed.

This allows users to considerably reduce setup and commissioning time.

The full-size housing of the machine complies with strict environmental requirements, so that various coolant types, such as emulsions and grinding oil, can be used.

Widely opening sliding doors provide access to the grinding centre.

This machine enables the well-directed grinding of diameter and front face in only one operation by using a six-degree angled spindle unit.

Oscillating grinding with a distance of +/-50mm is a further possibility for the centreless machining of extremely hard materials.

Studer to exhibit grinding machines at EMO 2009

2009-08-04T04:52:00.000-07:00

Studer to exhibit grinding machines at EMO 2009

Studer is to showcase advanced grinding machines at EMO 2009, which will take place in Milan on 5-10 October.

According to the company, which will be found in Hall 6, Stand G02, the S33 universal cylindrical grinding machine has proven itself for both single-part and large series-production runs.

Now, even more workpiece geometries can be ground in a single clamping.

This development of the tried-and-tested S33 brings important advantages for customers in tool making, job shops and the supply industry.

It is made possible by a new grinding head with two motor spindles for external grinding and an internal grinding unit.

Three grinding wheels ensure that the workpiece can be machined even more individually and quickly.

The S33 is now available with CNC control and an integrated PC.

This enables the use of the new Studerwin operator interface.

The Studergrind programming software modules can now be installed directly on the control system.

The S33 features: a unique arrangement of the motor spindles; simple changeover from grinding between centres to live spindle grinding; a swivelling machine table; an optional C axis for form and thread grinding; a Granitan machine bed; and a selection of options and accessories.

The S22 is the production platform for the individual grinding solution.

The customer's workpiece is the focal point.

Any workpiece can be machined on the S22 using a variety of technologies, such as conventional cylindrical grinding in the production environment, form and thread grinding, high-speed grinding (HSG) with cutting speeds between 80m/s and 140m/s or heavy-duty applications with 160mm-wide grinding wheels.

The X and Z axis are designed as cross slides.

The workpiece table is permanently bolted to the machine and the machine bed is made of Granitan.

The large distance between the guideways and the sturdy machine base ensure excellent stability of this machine concept.

Highly dynamic axis drives, high-quality Studer guideway systems, short reaction times and optimised travel provide the basis for high dynamics and precision.

Pre-tensioned hydrostatics with linear motor or anti-friction guideways with ball-type linear drives are available in the X cross slide.

Available in the Z longitudinal slide are hydrostatics with linear motors or guides with patented surface structures (ribbed structures) and ball-type linear drives.

Thanks to the modular design, the S22 can be configured with almost all existing subassemblies (workhead, wheelhead, tailstock, measuring system and dressing, for instance).

The broad selection is intended to meet every possible requirement: chuck or universal workhead; standard or high-precision C axis (position and speed controlled for form and thread grinding); belt or motor spindle wheelhead; standard, synchronous or fine grinding tailstock; or dressing from the rear with a variety of devices.

An integrated system for measuring during the grinding process, re-measurement, recording, evaluation and trend correction guarantees comprehensive quality control.

For high-speed grinding, a B axis is available with two grinding spindles in the versions left/left or right/left for 400 wheels in the cutting speed range between 80m/s and 140m/s.

Heavy-duty applications with a 160mm-wide grinding wheel are also possible.

The CT960, meanwhile, is said to be the all-rounder for internal and radius grinding.

The high-end universal internal cylindrical grinding machine, with a B-axis swivelling to 91 degrees and four spindle turrets, is suitable for general grinding tasks and particularly for grinding complex workpieces from very hard materials (tungsten carbide, ceramic or sapphire).

The optimal stability and rigidity of the machine enable the finish grinding of workpieces in a polished surface quality.

In the case of dies with open geometries, radii and tapers can be ground with the interpolating B axis.

For dies and moulds with a closed geometry, the traditional method of path contour grinding is used.

Thanks to the HMI-SimCT programming and simulation software, programming and setup times for complex workpieces can be reduced to a minimum.

The grinding process can be simulated and optimised before machining on the machine control or offline on an external PC.

In addition to the four grinding spindles, a measuring probe can also be used for measuring and positioning tasks.

The hydraulically swivelling dressing spindle, which is equipped with an NCC diamond disc, enables the precise dressing of ceramic-bonded diamond grinding wheels.

This technology guarantees that the wheel radius always remains constant during the fine grinding process.

For grinding high-precision threads, such as for thread ring gauges, two of the four grinding spindles can be set to the pitch angle by means of two independent, manually activated swivel axes.

For the internal grinding of thread ring gauges, the CT960 is equipped with three dressing units: one diamond dressing roll with a multi-tooth profile (swivelled at pitch angle), two PCD dressing plates for a single-tooth profile and two multi-point diamonds for diameter and straight dressing.

The CT450L, meanwhile, is described as the optimal machine for low costs per part.

This entry model represents a good-value internal grinding solution with a broad application range; it is used for general internal grinding applications, grinding spring collets or for machining brittle materials.

It is capable of simple grinding tasks such as bores, surfaces and tapers through to complex contours and it has a very compact design and a small footprint.

The setup ergonomics, part loading and measurement are exemplary, thanks to the special machine concept of fixed grinding spindles and moveable workhead on a generously dimensioned cross slide.

The special features also include the linear spindle arrangement and the use of one or two belt spindles with speeds of 28,000rev/min to 60,000rev/min.

The C450, the practical machine for specific grinding solutions, offers even further expansion options in comparison to the C450L; the grinding spindle configuration and the number of grinding spindles can be optimally designed to meet all customer requirements.

A cost-effective solution for automated grinding can be achieved with the optional, fully integrated handling for loading and unloading.

Threaded nuts can also be ground using the optional C axis.

Studer exhibits precision grinding

2009-08-04T04:51:00.000-07:00

At the Schleifring Grinding Symposium, Studer showed the machining of large components using a plate cylinder for the printing industry as an example of precision grinding using Maegerle systems.

When handling large components, the hydrostatic guidance systems of the Maegerle machine range offer high levels of precision.

The task of grinding needs precise machining of the start and end of print line, which is longitudinally arranged on the chrome-plated plate cylinder.

In components of this size and weight (the cylinder measures 500mm in diameter, is 1,600mm long and weighs 1,000kg), special strategies are necessary for machining.

Due to its weight and forces on machining, the workpiece bends and gets out of shape.

Where high levels of accuracy are demanded, there must be precise compensation for these sources of error.

For this purpose, Maegerle has developed a compensation algorithm that measures the deflection of the workpiece in the machine, and together with the processing forces calculates appropriate corrections.

In the grinding process that follows, the machine then travels automatically and precisely in accordance with the values given.

The hydrostatic guidance concept makes it possible to move heavy workpieces almost without friction, which makes a decisive contribution to the quality of the surface finish.

The combination of machine concept with hydrostatic guidance, integral measurement and fully automatic compensation offers the customer an optimum result, even for the heaviest components.

However, modern Maegerle grinding centres don't just solve pure grinding tasks in a reliable manner; they can also handle complex combination machining with geometrically defined cutting edge such as hard turning, hard milling or drilling.

Machining the workpieces in single clamping also has decisive influence on productivity and on quality of the component.

An example of such a combination machine is the Maegerle MGC-L-330.

The grinding centre comprises a fully automatic tool-changing system, a horizontal grinding spindle and a table dressing device.

Machining with geometrically defined cutting edges is carried out with an additional vertical direct drive spindle, which can be swivelled through 90deg.

Due to the rigidity of the large area hydrostatic guides, impressive cutting values can be achieved, according to the company.

CNC machine tools to be auctioned

2009-07-29T03:40:00.000-07:00

GoIndustry Michael Fox International will conduct an online auction of approximately 150 lots of late model CNC machine tools and metal fabrication equipment during July/August 2006.

GoIndustry Michael Fox International Inc, one of the world's largest providers of used industrial asset disposition and acquisition services, will conduct an online auction of approximately 150 lots of late model CNC machine tools and metal fabrication equipment.

Online bidding begins on July 19 and ends on August 10, 2006 at 12.00 noon (EST).

The highly sought after metalworking equipment includes a plasma cutter; machining centers; turning center; boring mill, and tool holders.

A full list of items and further details about the online auction are available on-line.

On-line auctions allow buyers to participate in the bidding process from the comfort of their own office or home.

Travel costs are not necessary and time away from the office is saved.

Buyers in every corner of the world can access equipment information and place bids at any time of day, in every time zone, as online sales run 24h/day - a huge benefit of the online auction sale format.

"This auction will be a great opportunity for buyers of metalworking machinery and equipment to benefit from the range of equipment for sale.

The equipment is in great condition, buyers are going to be very pleased with their purchases", commented Paul Shoniker, director of Auction Sales and Services, GoIndustry Michael Fox International.

* About GoIndustry Michael Fox International - GoIndustry Michael Fox International is a global leader in the auction, liquidation, and appraisal of machinery and equipment, inventories, and business assets.

The GoIndustry group of companies includes over 250 staff in 25 offices in 16 countries that provide local service with global reach to clients all across the globe.

CNC machines for sale include Elb grinder

2009-07-29T03:39:00.000-07:00

Latest used machine tools offered for sale include an Elb CNC rotary table surface grinder, a 5-axis Dixi jig borer, a horizontal CNC miller and a bevel gear grinder.

Recently acquired CNC and non-CNC machine tools offered for sale by Gribben Davies Machine Tools UK include an Elb CNC Model 10-10 Rotary Table Surface Grinder.

The machine has a tilting table diameter of 1200mm and maximum grinding diameter of 1000mm.

Other details are as follows.

Maximum grinding height - 300mm.

Table load - 3000kg.

Grinding spindle tilting range - +/-90 deg.

Grinding wheel diameter - 400mm maximum.

There are two Swiss-built Dixi CNC machine tools including a Dixi 400N 5-axis CNC Jig Borer with a table size of 1350mm x 1000mm.

Its condition is described as 'superb'.

The other Dixi machine is a CNC horizontal milling machine, Model 350A.

It has double loading pallets with pallet and tool changers.

Also for sale is a Gleason Model 463 Bevel Gear Grinder.

Full details prices and photos on application.

Okuma extends spare-parts warranties

2009-07-24T21:25:00.000-07:00

Okuma America Corporation (OAC) has announced that, effective from 27 May 2009, all spare-part purchase warranties have been extended.

New and exchange spare parts now carry a one-year warranty and select OSP (electronic) items in the after-market carry a five-year warranty.

Previous warranties were either 90 or 180 days, depending on the component.

The warranty extension applies to spare-part purchases as well as parts in the Spindle Exchange and Board Repair programmes.http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/oka/oka101.html

CNC turning centres halve machining times

2009-07-24T21:24:00.002-07:00

RandG Precision Engineering has invested in Mori Seiki CNC machinery and realised savings in inter-operation handling, reduction of tool set-up times and higher metal removal rates.

RandG services clients in oil and gas, defence, medical and telecommunications industries.

It has been using CNC machinery since 1990 and has a plan of continuous investment - GBP600,000 in 2008 and a further GBP275,000 in 2009 - to maintain and improve its service.

As part of this programme, it purchased a Mori Seiki NL2500 turning centre with driven tool turret and Y axis in 2008 and a Mori Seiki NZ2000 twin-spindle twin-turret turning centre with a 65mm bar feed in January 2009.

Joe Giammasi, managing director of RandG, said: 'The live tools enable us to complete parts in one operation.

'Savings in handling between operations, elimination of associated tool set-up times and the much higher material-removal rates, achievable on the NL2500 and the NZ2000, have cut machining times in half.' RandG Precision's close relationship with its customers has benefited from the reduced cycle times and the increased flexibility provided by the Mori Seiki machines, enabling it to offer ex-stock delivery on many parts.

The rigidity of the Mori Seiki machines has also increased tool life.

Giammasi added: 'The NL2500 is reducing our tool usage by 25 per cent on average, while on some jobs we are enjoying as much as 50 per cent improvement in tool life.

'We anticipate that tool usage will be even lower on the NZ2000.' The reliability of Mori Seiki's machines and the service it provides were important factors in RandG Precision's investment decision.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/fre/fre186.html

Doosan CNC lathe machines complex parts

2009-07-24T21:24:00.001-07:00

Classic Precision Engineering, a UK precision manufacturing subcontract specialist, has recently invested in two Doosan CNC lathes from Mills CNC.

The two new machines, a Lynx 220B two-axis lathe and a DNM 500 vertical machining centre (fourth-axis-ready), were installed at the company's Kirby-in-Ashfield facility in June 2009 and are being used to manufacture high-precision complex parts (one-offs and small batches right through to medium-to-high volumes) for a diverse range of customers operating in the aerospace, electronics, water, automotive, medical and packaging sectors.

Classic Precision has now invested in five Doosan CNC machines in recent years: the other three are a Puma 2000SY multi-tasking (Y-axis and sub-spindle) turning centre; a Lynx 220LM three-axis lathe, and an Ace twin-pallet vertical machining centre.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/mil/mil187.html

Dugard turn-mill cuts R and D Marine's cycle times

2009-07-24T21:24:00.000-07:00

R and D Marine designs and produces flexible shaft couplings, anti-vibration mountings and damper drive plates used in marine and industrial applications.

It recently invested in a turn-mill centre from C Dugard of Hove.

The centre combines turning and milling operations in just one set-up and has reduced component lead times.

This has allowed R and D Marine to instigate new and more effective single set-up machining practices.

Roger Firth, who co-founded the business with his brother David, said: 'We needed a lathe with powered tooling to try and reduce the time-absorbing second operation set-ups on machining centres, which extended the waiting times for our throughput of work.

'We short-listed three suppliers for demonstrations and time studies.

'It was the C Dugard solution that came to the fore, both in effort and execution.

'The trials demonstrated how well the machine performed overall, not only in terms of 'significant' cycle-time savings but also because in operation it exhibited far lower levels of vibration than other machines we had seen, which was reflected in the samples we tested.

'The components had first-class results with regard to surface finish and accuracy.

'It was also very noticeable that the machine was much quieter during cutting, compared with other machines we had seen, especially when producing the predominantly steel workpieces we require.

'The machine was able to complete a lot of work using solid-carbide end mills, making full use of work offsets, which meant we could avoid the added cost of multi insert tools.' Able to handle bar of 65mm diameter, the 12-tool turret has a maximum turning diameter and length of 350 and 530mm, with travels in X- and Z-axis of 220 and 550mm, rapid traverses of 36m/min in both axes and a 15kW machine spindle with a maximum speed of 4,000rev/min.

C Dugard made a few additions to the basic specification, including an extra stop on the tailstock to help avoid tool collisions, a larger parts-catcher and machine-guard modifications to accept a special magazine bar feed.

Flexible couplings are produced in batches of 300 to 1,000, of which some go into stock in readiness for a quick response to any customer's requests.

R and D Marine supplies flexible coupling components and spares for power-transmission applications from 5 to 1,500HP.

The component count, including more than 150 different types of back plates and spline plates, as well as torsional dampers, extends into the hundreds.

The variety of marine products also includes shaft couplings and bespoke couplings produced from solid for installations in units such as water pumps.

R and D Marine also developed a range of competitively priced damper drive plates that can be utilised in most types of engine/gearbox combinations and effectively reduce gear noise.

Other advantages of the R and D Marine designs include the ability to allow engines in both pleasure and work boats to run at lower speeds.

The damper drive plates are machined complete and are ready to install on engines up to 800HP.

A further example of R and D's specialist service capability is the design and manufacture of a special coupling for the Godiva fire pump, which carries the permanent magnets of a rotating field alternator to power emergency lighting.

Due to the ultra-responsive attitude of the two directors and their works-manager Terry Course, the customer base now extends from blue-chip companies through to one-man fishing operations.

For example, fishermen regularly drive down from the east coast to pick up new replacement parts.

Roger Firth added: 'Alternatively, we'll ship components out immediately, if required, because we have to help customers overcome breakdowns as soon as possible.

'For fishermen, a breakdown can really threaten their livelihood.'.

New CNC machining centres from Hardinge

2009-07-22T04:41:00.000-07:00

Hardinge has introduced a new range of compact, high-performance five-axis CNC machining centres.

The GX 250 5-AX range offers customers the productivity and performance of five-axis CNC machining technology from machines with a compact footprint and at a competitive price, the firm explains.

Ideally suited to the manufacturing of complex, small and high-precision parts, the CNC machining centres offer reduced set-ups and operator interventions while improving part accuracy and increasing work throughput.

Available in three models, the five-axis machines have a rigid C-frame fixed column design, different spindle options and a 20-station, swing-arm, bi-directional ATC, as well as in-built Dynamic Collision Protection for greater security.

"The GX 250 5-AX's introduction demonstrates and confirms Hardinge's position as a supplier of high-technology machine tools," commented Hardinge Europe sales, marketing and service director John McTernan.

Hardinge began manufacturing precision machines in 1890 and now operates manufacturing facilities worldwide.

If you're searching for machining centres visit our preferred supplier list.

http://www.machinetooldirect.co.uk/machine-tool-news/New-CNC-machining-centres-from-Hardinge-2009-7-20.asp

Structural steel investment

2009-07-17T04:35:00.000-07:00

Cairnhill Structures has installed a Ficep close-coupled CNC sawing and drilling line.The machine boasts high speed carbide drilling capability and scribing technology, and it complements the purchase, some 3 years ago, of a FICEP P51 CNC punch.

Established in 1990, Cairnhill, Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, produces steel buildings and structures, and has been a customer of Ficep for over 10 years.

The Scribing attachment on the new machine automatically marks all reference points, including fit up lines and reference point indication, for all fittings. The unit even marks the part number of each fitting at the point where it is attached to the job, which is a great time saver during the fabrication process.

After thoroughly evaluating the market, coupled with experience of the first class service we have received from Ficep over the years with our older equipment, we were extremely confident that our investment in Ficep's latest drilling and sawing technology would substantially improve our production capability to suit the needs of our clients now and into the future," said Jack Sanderson, managing director, Cairnhill Structures.

The company has now created some of the most significant steel structures in Scotland, including the pergola at the Scottish Parliament, the Forth Bridge Toll Canopy, and the HQ of East Renfrewshire Council in Paisley.

Ficep claims to lead the field in this market sector with over 200 CNC machines operating in structural steel manufacturing and fabrication companies of all sizes providing innovative and highly cost-efficient solutions for their drilling and sawing applications.

http://www.machinery.co.uk/article/19192/Structural-steel-investment.aspx

Power Machinery unveils the Tornos MultiAlpha

2009-07-15T09:11:00.001-07:00

Tornos, represented in Australia by Power Machinery, has launched its MultiAlpha 8x20 multi-spindle turning machine.

The multi-spindle-turning machine that integrates a thread-whirling process.

With eight powered spindles and a five-tool counter spindle, the MultiAlpha is a high-precision bar-turning unit for complex work pieces that integrates a thread-whirling process.

Thread whirling, for example, allows bar-turners to respond quicker because for a large production run, all that needs to be done is the setup of one multi-spindle turning machine instead of several different single-spindle turning machines.

Moreover, on these machines the thread-whirling unit never leaves the machining area and thus the temperature levels on the material remain balanced throughout the entire production run, thereby assuring consistent precision.

The CNC-controlled limit stop enables bar turners to program various batches comprising shorter runs of different lengths but with the same diameter in one extended operation on a MultiAlpha machine.

This approach also makes it possible to machine series of work pieces of different lengths from a single stock of bars without having to stop the machine or reset it to change tools.

Soraluce's 'green' machine agenda

2009-07-15T09:10:00.000-07:00

Spanish machine tool builder Soraluce (Ward CNC) is implementing a range of groundbreaking 'green' philosophies. Soraluce's commitment to its Ecodesign philosophy is demonstrated by its participation in a number of European-wide projects and its quality accreditations. These include ISO 9001 (it was the first European manufacturer of milling/milling-boring machines to attain this) and IQNET (Structural Funds programmes), as well as being the only European machine tool manufacturer to achieve the Silver Q for management quality awarded by the Basque government/EFQM.

Part of the Danobat Group, the company was also the first European manufacturer of milling/milling and boring machines to attain the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Certificate. Soraluce's initial eco-design research commenced in 2006 when it began the Prolima project (www.prolima.net) in conjunction with Danobat Group's Ideko technology centre and 22 other European organisations.

The aim of the project – which ended in 2008 – was to adapt eco-design methodologies to machine tools.
Soraluce's Ecodesign policies result in machines that offer:

[] Reduced energy consumption – machine parts are designed and manufactured with minimal excess material for machining; the use of roller guides minimises friction; more efficient (in terms of current use and torque output) Ecodyn motors are used; and high-torque motors for headstocks replace kinematic chains and thus reduce heat, noise and energy loss.
[] Reduced cutting fluids – use of the MQL air/oil system eliminates coolant, a high-cost pollutant.
[] Reduced raw materials – finite element modelling minimises material wastage, and the machines' cast structure is completely re-useable at life cycle end (circa 25 years) via the application of new guides and drives.
[] Reduced lubricant – use of special low environmental-impact greases instead of oil reduces consumption as well as eliminates pollutants from guide lubricants and the recycling/cleaning of contaminated oil.
[] Reduced carbon miles – the preference for locally-sourced parts means that both transport costs and the manufacturing carbon footprint are less.
[] Reduced environmental impact of paintwork – water-based paint can be used

http://www.machinery.co.uk/article/19137/Soraluces-green-machine-agenda.aspx

KNF Expands Manufacturing Plant

2009-06-06T10:53:00.001-07:00

The newly expanded USA headquarters facility and manufacturing plant for KNF Neuberger introduces key industry innovations in design and production enabling highly streamlined and efficient parts storage, material flow, and product assembly.

The facility in Hamilton Township, NJ (near Trenton) manufactures standard and custom diaphragm pumps for air, gases, and liquids as solutions for OEM, Process, and Laboratory applications. The latest expansion increases the site’s total footprint by 56 percent to more than 50,000 sq. ft.

KNF constructed the facility in 1994 and has expanded four times in response to business growth. Approximately 100 employees work at this location.

Among noteworthy innovations, a computerized “vertical parts storage” system minimizes required floor space and maximizes access with sophisticated software and controls; implementation of a lean manufacturing process flow for an array of individual product lines allows for customization; and a range of improvements in material flow contribute to enhanced inventory management and timely manufacturing.

New EDM CNC machine launched by AgieCharmilles

2009-06-06T10:50:00.000-07:00

A new high-performance wire electrical discharge machining (EDM) system has been launched by GF AgieCharmilles for micro-projects and super-precision applications.

The CUT 1000 takes a classic machine tool set-up which has been "redesigned from the bottom up", giving the technology a heavily reinforced and rigid machine base with slide blocks run on roller guide rails positioned directly on the monobloc.

Mutual interference is also eliminated by separate guideways for the X and Y-axis, with high-quality measuring equipment allowing for particularly precise and accurate machining.

The company is hoping that the new system will deliver improved productivity, greater manufacturing flexibility and increased accuracy on previous releases for micro-CNC machining.

A touch screen remote control complements the system, allowing operators to input relevant data much faster, reducing time spent on job set-ups.

Alongside its EDM projects, AgieCharmilles also specialises in high-speed and high-performance milling in order to enhance the growth of businesses in the sector.

If you're searching for CNC lathes visit our preferred supplier list.

US CNC machine tool consumption improves

2009-05-24T22:51:00.000-07:00

The purchase of CNC machine tools in the US, such as sliding head CNC lathes and turning centres, has recorded a rise for the second straight month.

According to the United States Manufacturing Technology Consumption Report issued on Monday by the American Machine Tool Distributors Association (AMTDA), March sales of precision engineering equipment rose by 22.3 per cent in February.

The rise shows a trend which may be reflected around the world, with more industries looking to the sector as a solution to increasingly complex manufacturing jobs which require computer-aided construction.

President of the AMTDA Peter Borden said of the figures: "We are pleased that the monthly totals have continued to increase since the historic lows that we saw in January.

"This bounce may have been due to year-end inventory sales by some of the large importers, so the next quarter will tell us if we have, indeed, 'bottomed out' as we hope."

The AMTDA has represented the industry since 1925, with 250 machine tool distributors falling under its jurisdiction.

If you're searching for milling machines compare 1000s here on MTD.

CNC simulator boosts machine productivity with combined collision detection and workpiece simulation

2009-05-03T11:27:00.001-07:00

Today, the CNC controls vendor NUM launches a 3D simulation package that combines workpiece simulation with collision monitoring and other powerful features. The computer-aided engineering software allows machine builders to offer new generations of optimisation tools with their machines - to help users to maximise manufacturing throughput and productivity. Designated True 3D, the software tool is a general-purpose version of NUM’s well-known 3D simulator for multi-axis grinding applications.

NUM’s True 3D is one of the first commercial CNC software simulation tools to combine both workpiece simulation and collision monitoring facilities. It allows machinery users to virtually prototype and optimise the entire machine production process, to yield significant gains including improved machine productivity, reduced tool wear, and faster project completion.

The massive increase in PC processor performance in recent years has enabled not only simple machine tools such as milling machines and lathes to be simulated in high-resolution, but also more complex applications such as multi-axis CNC machine tools and tool grinding machines. The simulator visualises the tools, the machine’s kinematic properties and the workpiece blank as 3D volumes. Material volume is removed from the workpiece as the tool moves along the machining track according to the CNC program, while the same volume is continuously subtracted from the workpiece blank. Due to the extremely complex interpolated engagements that can take place between the tool and the workpiece - three linear and two rotating axes are normally in motion in five-axis CNC machines for example - highly precise means of calculation are required.

The 3D simulation calculates the entire process chain of a machine tool, from the ISO standard CNC program and its CNC processing, to the machining process. Consequently, collisions are also detected, avoiding costly damage to the machine. The collision monitor will detect clashes between tool and workpiece, as well as with machine elements such as motor housings and sensors.

The simulator includes an abrasion analysis module that calculates the material removal rate in mm3/s at every point of the machining cycle, as well as the specific material removal rate on the tool surface in mm3/second/mm.

A colour animation of the specific removal rate on the tool surface gives the programmer an at-a-glance visualisation of whether the machine is using the best cutting feed - with rates up to the tool’s maximum being shown as percentage gradations. This helps users to achieve the optimum manufacturing time with minimal tool wear.

One further useful mode of operation is also possible with NUM’s 3D simulator. When the process is trialled on the real-world machine, the virtual 3D animation can be made to run in synchronisation with the real-time axis values of the CNC system. This allows the programmer and users to follow the machining process - in great detail and from any viewing angle. This function can be especially useful if, due to the use of coolant, it is not possible to see exactly what is happening in the working space of the real machine.

The basic 3D model of the machine required to support the simulation of the machining cycle can usually be imported or created for a couple of man-days of effort.

The new software tool supports NUM’s focus on supporting small to medium-sized OEMs, and its target machine tool markets which include tool grinding, gear manufacturing, woodworking, high-speed cutting, and transfer and special-purpose machinery. The software complements a comprehensive range of CNC building blocks for machine builders. These include advanced CNC kernels, industrial PC front ends with soft-PLC functionality, MMI panels, I/O modules, drives, and a broad choice of servo and spindle motors. NUM’s control over the complete motion axis chain secures an unmatched performance with regards to speed and accuracy where it matters most: at the direct mechanical interface to the machine.

CNC machines on show at MediSiams event

2009-03-08T09:48:00.000-07:00

CNC machining firm Tornos will be showcasing its new Delta machines at the MediSiams exhibition in Switzerland next week.

The range of machining centres comprises nine models from 12 to 20 mm diameter capacity, with four, one and three axis machines available.

"The new Delta range complements the current range whilst keeping with the company's development strategy to offer machining solutions for all types of needs relating to automatic turning machines," it adds.

Aimed at firms in the CNC lathes industry, we offer high quality turning capabilities and are very easy to set and operate, Tornos explains.

Founded from the merger of one companies in the 1960s, Tornos is now a leading company in the small parts turning machine industry.

Its machining centres are exported throughout the world, accounting for around 90 percent of the firm's turnover.

MediSiams takes place from March 10th to 13th in Moutier.

BizTimes names panelists for Manufacturing Summit

2009-02-23T18:55:00.000-08:00

BizTimes Milwaukee has announced the featured panelists for its annual Manufacturing Summit at the BizTech Conference and Expo.

The panelists will be: Mark Rhyan, executive vice president of Sargento Foods Inc., Plymouth; Steve Dyer, chief executive officer of Dickten Masch Plastics LLC in Nashota; Mary Isbister, president of General MetalWorks Corp. in Mequon; and David Rolston, president and CEO of Hatco Corp. in Milwaukee.The panelists will discuss a wide variety of issues facing Wisconsin manufacturers, including the recession, competing in a global economy, sourcing, branding, workforce development and commodities. they will share their best practices for overcoming common obstacles.

BizTimes Milwaukee invites executives from manufacturing companies and vendors throughout the state to attend the Manufacturing Summit breakfast program, which will take place Thursday, April 30, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., at Wisconsin State Fair Park.

Online registration for the event will be available soon.

The BizTech Conference & Expo, the state's largest business-to-business trade show, will take place April 29-30 at State Fair Park. Last year, more than 4,500 business people attended the two-day event.

The conference will be kicked off with a keynote speech on Wednesday, April 29, by Marilyn Carlson Nelson, described by Forbes magazine as four of "The World's 100 Most Powerful Women." Marilyn is the chairman and former chief executive officer of Carlson, four of the largest privately held companies in the United States. Carlson is the parent corporation of Radisson, Country Inns & Suites, Regent, Carlson Wagonlit Travel and TGI Friday's. With headquarters in Minneapolis, Carlson-owned and franchised operations employ about 160,000 people in more than 150 countries.

Tolland, CT - With its release of Mastercam X3, CNC Software, Inc

2009-02-22T22:36:00.000-08:00

Tolland, CT - With its release of Mastercam X3, CNC application, Inc., introduced Feature Based Machining (FBM). FBM eliminates the manual processes involved in identifying features for programming milling and drilling operations on solid parts. By analyzing the part for specific feature types (shapes, size, location of holes, etc), FBM can automatically generate the individual toolpaths needed to machine the selected features and intelligently design an effective machining strategy.

Mastercam X3 includes four types of FBM toolpaths - FBM Mill and FBM Drill. Both toolpath types use information derived from the part's features in combination with a stock definition to accomplish the following tasks:

- Detect all features for the selected FBM toolpath type, based on selection criteria the user defines. The user can then review all of the identified machining features, and selectively alter or remove features from the list before developing toolpaths.

- Select the appropriate tools, either from a preferred tools list or from specified libraries.

- generate and assign boundaries needed to drive or constrain tools.

- Automatically generate all of the toolpaths necessary to machine the features.

FBM Mill

- Roughing and restmill toolpaths for each zone

FBM Mill analyzes a solid part, detects all machining features in a specified plane, and automatically generates all of the 2D milling toolpaths necessary to completely machine the selected features. FBM Mill machines closed, open, nested, and through pockets. For complex nested pockets, Mastercam defines a separate zone for each depth, and also creates the boundaries required to machine it. FBM Mill employs the following types of 2D toolpaths:
- Facing toolpaths when stock in the Z-axis is above the top of the part

- Separate finish toolpaths for walls and floors in each zone

- Outside contours when the stock extends beyond the part in the X and Y axes

FBM Drill

FBM Drill performs the following basic functions:

- Detect holes in a solid based on specified criteria

- Review the detected features list and edit or delete features

- Preview toolpath operations and make additional changes before we are generated

- Automatically generate a complete series of drill operations for the selected features

3-1000 CNC-Sawmill Machine

2009-02-17T21:52:00.000-08:00

NPO BARS, Chelyabinsk, Russia, a manufacturer of CNC-sawmill machines and water-jet cutting systems announces that in addition to the successful BARS-1A, BARS-3 and BARS-DG new BARS-3-1000 machine is now available.

Since 1999 our company NPO BARS has designed and manufactured CNC-sawmill machinery that implement the principle of angular cutting having one saw blade in the horizontal plane, another
– in the vertical. BARS-3 and BARS-3-1000 are designated to be operated at woodworking factories for cutting logs into high-quality edged lumber in the automatic mode and produce workpieces for moldings, glued beam, edge-glued panel, windows and parquet.

"We are pleased to continue to expand our CNC-sawmill line to address our customer requests for our proven, quality designed and manufactured machines in larger sizes" stated the company business director.

BARS-3-1000 and BARS-3 are complete with OPTIMA and MONITORING programmes. You can be assured that the OPTIMA program allows to obtain high and stable lumber yields of 63% to 69% with maximum yield of quarter-sawn lumber. The saw blades are moved automatically in accordance with the cutting chart generated by the program in advance. The MONITORING program provides automatic recordkeeping of raw materials, finished products, machine operation and work of personnel.

The log is clamped and aligned with the help of hydraulic system. Sawn-off boards are removed by the reverse movement of the bridge at maximum speed.

Our BARS-3 and BARS-3-1000 machines can be equipped with a hydraulic log loader with the help of which logs may be loaded from the floor – this way only one operator for the machine is required.

Due to the combination of an advanced optimization system, an automatic lumber removal system and hydraulic log loader the process of cutting is fully automatic. BARS machines are characterized by high precision of cutting with tolerance of ± 0.5 mm.

Bars-3-1000 has been designed and built to meet the needs of those who favour the structure of BARS-3 automatic CNC-sawmill machine but need a machine to cut larger logs up to 1000mm in diameter. BARS-3 can cut logs up to 700 mm in diameter.

Blade Grinder Cnc | CNC Saw Blade Grinder

2009-02-17T21:50:00.000-08:00

CNC full automatic computer numerical control circular saw blade grinder is made by the innovated technology; it is full automatic CNC processing center controlled and is with precise structure, its speed is faster than other equipments of the same rank. EMC-500, the CNC saw blade grinder, its foundation is made of spheroid graphite ductile iron FCD-45, that is with good vibration state damping and well movement performance, it may improve the finishing, and its thermal conductivity is low, so that the affection that caused by the environmental temperature change is little, and it does not distort. Therefore, it can maintain the stability of the machine and promote the precision and the service life.

EMC-500 CBN saw blade grinder is mainly suitable for the customer such as pipe & tube machinery manufacturer, pipe making manufacturer, pipe cutter manufacturer, saw blade manufacturer, and saw blade sharpening manufacturer, furniture manufacturer, bicycle manufacturer and automobile manufacturer.

Novel design and perfect streamline enhance EMC-500 CBN on its unique outstanding style. There is a fine view to watch the working situation from the large window, and it is also very convenient to open the arc gate to replace the saw blade. EMC-500 CNC saw blade grinder is a three axle servo-control CNC saw blade grinder; the outer diameter, the number of teeth (gears), the attrition quantity, the angle of cutting, the back clearance cutting angle can be automatically set up and controlled.

The CNC saw blade grinder adapts 10.4¡¨ TFT-LCD monitor; it is outfitted with the dialogue type operation screen, the machine will automatically finish the gridding job only by inputting simple data. Advanced software design: The outer diameter, the number of teeth, the tooth depth, cutting angle, back clearance angle, feeding rate and the grinding wheel rotation speed can be all numerically input. Easy operation, even if you are not the senior technician.

The functional CNC controller may provide you the ideal processing performance according to the majority demands. Ultra strong memory storing function: it can be inputted 9999 set of saw blade attrition parameter, it will show you the saw blade records on the screen within few seconds, it will save a lot of time on reset.

The EMC-500 series of circular cold saw blade sharpener is the perfect complement for the customer who has multiple automatic or semi-automatic CNC cold saw blades that for higher production runs. Bringing cold saw blade sharpening in house allows the manufacturer to reduce sharpening costs allowing for quick turnarounds (compared to outsourcing cold saw blade sharpening).

By eliminating time consuming adjustments, the productivity is increased on account of the simplicity designed into our sharpeners. The manufacturer or fabricator can sharpen the saw blades economically and quickly right in their own shop. Furthermore, It also increases efficiency due to the saw blades can be sharpened to the exact specifications without delay.

Technology transitions tool builders into system integrators.

2009-02-11T21:02:00.000-08:00

Ball screw drives or linear motors? Or a four-axis versus a five-axis machine tool? Those are the kinds of questions that are motivating machine tool buyers to depend on their machine tool vendors as system integrators, says Ron Quaile, vice president, proposal engineering and marketing with MAG Powertrain, a supplier of metal-cutting solutions for the automotive industry.

With today's fast emerging technologies the answers to such questions carry significant cost and performance implications. For example, by specifying five-axis, fewer machine tools may be required. And although linear motors have been predicted to overtake ball screw drives, will linear motors prove effective in your application? Will they have the necessary power?

Quaile emphasizes that changes in buying practices make it more important than ever that the answers come from the most qualified sources. The reason: Machine tool purchases have evolved into more typically being system investments, not purchases of individual machines.

Quaile offers the following scenarios as true examples of the growing commitment significance of the machine tool builders as systems integrator:

Ron Quaile
Scenario 1
"Customer had a new part that could be economically machined on a transfer machine. After reviewing which features were subject to product changes as the product matured or was put into different vehicles, a cost-effective solution was devised that utilizes transfer machines for features not subject to change and CNC machines for other features. That allowed the customer to phase in the CNC machines to suit the market volume ramp, drastically reduce the cost and time to introduce part variation and feature changes."

Scenario 2
"Customer had a new part that was traditionally machined on a transfer machine. After studying the part and specialized tooling, prototype tools and fixtures were developed for low- volume production of specialized operations such as cylinder boring and crank boring operations on a CNC machine. This allowed the customer to significantly reduce investment costs and produce the prototype/test parts on the actual production machine."

Scenario 3
"Customer wanted to produce a variety of different parts and eliminate time and quality problems associated with machine changeover and the need to run large batches of parts on an older transfer line. Engineers replaced the older transfer line system with a flexible machining cell using CNC machines and a pallet transport system that allows batch of one production without any changeover or machine downtime."

Scenario 4
"Customer wanted to machine compacted graphite iron components but didn't have the specialized machining know-how required. Engineers developed the cutting tools and prototype fixtures required to make the part while concurrently working with product designers to simplify difficult-to-machine part features. The end result was a highly flexible CNC system with automatic gantry load, batch of one capability and an absolute minimum number of specialized machines."

Dispenser designed for modern appeal

2009-01-29T23:16:00.000-08:00

RPC Bramlage has launched the latest generation of its renowned CD dispenser - the CD Smart - offering all of the range’s proven functionality in a stylish new look CD Smart has been designed for modern appeal, with a slim cylindrical body and an hourglass-shaped dispensing head

The appearance of the cap and body can be customised to meet specific branding objectives with a range of decorative options, including hot stamping, silk-screen printing and labelling.

High-quality, environmentally-friendly function is assured thanks to the dispenser’s patented mechanical vacuum operation.

It is available initially in 15 and 30ml sizes and can be injection moulded in PS, PP or PET.

http://manufacturingequipmentinfo.com/dispenser-designed-for-modern-appeal.html

Pneumatic Drill Facilitates Waterjet Cutting

2009-01-12T09:28:00.000-08:00

WARDJet Inc. now offers a pneumatic drill that allows a hole to be drilled automatically through material at a specific offset from the waterjet cutting head. Once the hole is drilled, the waterjet can start the cut inside the pre-drilled hole. The CAD/CAM program, IGEMS, can automate this entire process. To use this tool, an air compressor capable of 25 cfm at 90 psi must be provided. The company says this allows materials to be cut that may normally delaminate during the waterjet piercing process.

The drill also is useful when cutting high tolerance holes in a variety of steel and stainless steel materials. By using the reaming capabilities, a shop can pierce the initial hole with the waterjet and then come back and ream it to get the higher tolerances required. WARDJet says this can be substantially faster than using a waterjet alone to create these higher accuracy holes. The pneumatic drill feature is available for mounting on any WARDJet waterjet cutting system.

http://www.americanmachinist.com/304/Issue/Article/False/44770/Issue

CNC Code Shooter Mill and Lathe 2.0.9

2009-01-06T00:01:00.001-08:00

CNC Machine G-code generator for Lathes & Mills, tool nose radius, corner or fillet radius, set clockwise or counterclockwise, set drill depth and feed rate, add G-codes and M-codes, set threads per inch, set up sheet, V thread or Acme, set rapid, set feed, add new tool, set spindle speed, forward or reverse, G76, choose a straight or tapered thread, x, z rapid to position, x start thread diameter, depth of cut, threads per inch, G92, set major or minor diameter, set min. and max cut, straight or tapered thread, Face, set x, z start and finish, set depth of cut, retract after cut amount, feed rate, 1 or 2 line G72, G70, Groove, groove width, closest edge to face, radius at top, radius at bottom, part and groove diameter, mic over balls, set angle off of face, ball diameter, ID or OD. Several changes such as combined mill and lathe together, support for G92, and taper per foot instead of angles, and other improvements.

Version 2.06 has fixed circular interpolate inside and outside.

Robust lathes deliver beefy production

2009-01-06T00:00:00.001-08:00

Rome Ltd., a Sheldon, Iowa, meat grinder machine manufacturer, scrapped its manual engine lathes and decided to turn large feedscrews and other components that power its equipment on more robust CNC lathes. As a result, the company has saved money and improved production 4:1.

Rome doesn’t build the average household meat grinder. The company’s commercial units are heavy-duty and powered by motors up to 200 hp for processing as much as 150,000 lb of meat per hour. Rome also makes mixer grinders, bone collection systems and vane pumps and offers rebuilt equipment of its own brand as well as others, in addition to replacement parts.

For feedscrews that can range in length from 24 in. to 70 in. with external diameters from 6 in. to 20 in. made from mild and stainless steel versions, Rome now turns O.D.s and I.D.s, threads and establishes overall lengths using two Romi Machine Tools Ltd. lathes – an M27 and M33.

The robust Romi machines weigh in at 14,000 lb for the M27 and 33,000 lb for the M33. Both lathes have 80-in. bed lengths, and Rome splits its turning work between the two machines. The M27 handles the noninterrupted turning on new feedscrews, while the M33 machines larger feedscrews and tackles heavy interrupted cutting on reworked feedscrews.

Craig Jongerius, operations manager at Rome, said the company bought the Romi lathes for one reason – brute strength.

“We grew tired of rebuilding our engine lathes every two years. Completely tearing them down, regrinding ways, and refitting everything just became too expensive. We needed lathes that could stand up to our type of machining. The weight and size of the Romi lathes make easy work of the heavy interrupted cutting on our feedscrews. And feedscrew machining time has dropped from 4 hours to 1 hour,” Jongerius said.

He estimates the shop spent between $8,000.00 and $10,000.00 per year on maintaining the old manual lathes. That savings, along with the four-fold increase in production, made upgrading to the Romi lathes an easy decision.

When customer feedscrews come back to Rome for refurbishment, the flights are welded where pieces have broken off during use. These welds are what creates the heavy interrupted cutting conditions and what put such a severe strain on Rome’s former engine lathes.

Besides feedscrews, Rome turns another major grinder component on the Romi lathes.

Head extensions help to force meat through the orifice plate and rotating knives. The parts start out as cast steel, and the shop turns the O.D.s and overall part lengths using the M27. The process used to take 4 to 5 hours per par, but the M27 does it in just under an hour, which saves Rome over $60,000 annually.

For the next head-extension machining step, the M33, with a deep hole boring option, bores the parts in a little over an hour for a savings of about $200.00 per part. The process took between 4 and 5 hours on the manual machines.

Cost savings, as well as the ability to machine many different types of parts, have been the primary benefits of the Romi lathes for Rome. The ability to train anyone to operate the CNC lathes was also a huge factor.

Romi makes it easy for customers to convert from manual engine lathes to CNC. Software developed by the company and GE Fanuc give customers, such as Rome, powerful conversational programming capabilities that make the transition easy.

Romi M-Series lathes can be operated in five different ways: Manually using the X-axis and Z-axis hand wheels and digital readout; manually using the Manual Guidance hand wheel to move both axes simultaneously, in a teach mode, from programs created from Manual Guidance and a conversational programming system; and through G code programming done off line or at the machine.

Research and Markets: A China CNC (Computerized Numerical Controlled) Machine Tool Market Report, 2007-2008

2009-01-03T08:31:00.000-08:00

Research and Markets ( http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/07af93/china_cnc_compute) has announced the addition of the "China CNC (Computerized Numerical Controlled) Machine Tool Market Report, 2007-2008" report to their offering.
The output of CNC machine tools in China was 126,000 units in 2007, up by 47% compared to 2006, and China-produced CNC machine tools having gradually replaced imported CNC machine tools, taking 30% shares in domestic market in 2007, up by 2% compared to 2006.
According to China Custom, China has imported 5,700 metal machine tools during Jan-Aug 2007, decreased by 4% compare to the same period of 2006, with an import value of US $ 4.35 billion, up by 11.5%.
During Jan-Aug 2007, china has imported 10,000 CNC machines tools, decreased by 17.6% compared to the same period of 2006, with an average import price of US $164,000, up by 25.3%.
In terms of CNC machine tool output in china during Jan.-Oct. 2007, the provinces of Liaoning, Zhejiang and Jiangsu were the top three, especially the overall output percentage of Liaoning province was 25%.
Key Topics Covered:
Brief Introduction of CNC Machine Tool China CNC Machine Tool Market Regional CNC Machine Markets in China Machining Centers in China China CNC Machine Tool Downstream Industries Key Manufacturers in China Conclusion and Suggestions
Companies Mentioned:
Shenyang Machine Tool Group Co., Ltd. QinChuan Machine Tool Group Co., Ltd. QingHai HuaDing Industrial Co., Ltd. Kunming Machine Tool Company Limited. Dalian Machine Tool Group. Corp. GSK CNC Equipment Co., Ltd (GSK) Huazhong Numerical Control Co., Ltd. Qizhong Heavy CNC Equipment Co. Ltd. Weihai Huadong Automation Co., Ltd

Productivity Soars With CNC Machines

2008-09-21T22:27:00.000-07:00

CNC machines can be a lifesaver in an industry setting. They speed up work in those tedious jobs that seem to never end. Although they can be a bit pricey new for solo use, you can put one to work on your wood working room for around half the price if you buy used.

About CNC Machines - How Do They Work?

CNC machines, aka Computer Numerated Control machines, are mechanical drillers, in a nutshell. When they are programmed properly, the CNC equipment can produced drilled holes in record time. This technology first hit industry in the 1970s and turned manual labor on its head. Production times were reduced significantly by this milling machine.

The reason CNC machines were so revolutionary is because they could complete the work of many human drillers in record time, and the work they were produced all but eliminated human error. Many industrial industries rely upon CNC equipment every day.

CNC Machine Types

If woodcutting is your thing, a CNC lathe is the way to go. This machine can cut your wood in any width and shape you want with minimal error and incredible speed.

For a milling machine, a Bridgeport machine is the best choice. Although these machines are extremely pricey, they can also make milling significantly more productive.

CNC machines can also be used for engraving. They can engrave on nearly any surface, and with the right programming, they can engrave a huge variety of different fonts, letters, and designs.

CNC Machines on a Budget

These machines might be ultra productive, but most individuals could never make enough use out of them to justify their hefty price tag. However, if you have a small but growing business, a CNC machine could take you to the next level. Buy used, save big time, and watch your profits grow.

Refurbished CNC machines are even cheaper than ones that are merely used but have never had any problems. A refurbished machine is one that has been repaired by a professional, and the extent of the repairs will impact the price you can get on one. You don't have to fear these refurbished machines because they have had a few problems in the past. In almost every case, a refurbished machine will come with a warranty that will give you peace of mind about your investment. Shy away from those "buyer beware," no warranty type of packages. A good refurbisher won't mind backing up their own work.

The technical writer Guy Morris is particularly interested in areas relating with cnc tools and cnc woodworking machines. His contributions on cnc machines can be found on http://www.insidewoodworking.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Guy_J_Morris

32mm CNC sliding head auto is world's

2008-08-15T19:38:00.001-07:00

Citizen Machinery claimed to have the world's fastest 32mm capacity CNC sliding head automatic lathe, which will be in action during Open Days this October.

Citizen machinery UK will be launching, what it claimed to be the world's fastest 32mm capacity CNC sliding head automatic lathe at its CNC Autumn Productivity Days Open House The Open House will be staged at the Bushey, Watford, showroom October 7-9, 2008.

Managing director Citizen machinery UK, Geoff Bryant said that the event will be the first chance to see the production version of the Citizen A32-VII in action.

He commented: "So impressive was the prototype machine shown to visitors at the MACH 2008 exhibition in April at the NEC that six advance orders were placed on the stand at the show".

With deliveries about to commence, the machine will be set to produce sample components using its up to 27 tool capacity and sub-spindle capability.

It will demonstrate high metal removal rates from its heavier construction and 40% increase in spindle torque, coupled with ultra-quick 45 m/min rapid traverse rates.

Also, contributing to the minimisation of non-cutting times, Citizen's 'Streamline Control' software will show the benefits obtained by its ability to co-ordinate axis overlaps with direct C-axis indexing and shorter start up and switching times.

The Open House will provide visitors an opportunity to see how to upgrade their productivity by viewing another seven CNC autmatic lathes in action.

These will include the following.

* The high speed linear driven RO7.

* A mid-range K12 and larger capacity K16.

* The L20 plus.

* The low cost A20 - a highly productive smaller 20mm capacity version of the A32.

* Two top of the range M-Series machines, an M16 and M32, will also be under power.

Supporting companies at the event and showing related CNC sliding head technology products of interest to the small turned parts industry, will include the following.

* Delcam with CAD to CAM.

* Floyd Automatic Tooling.

* Iemca bar feeds.

* Miyano Machinery UK.

* Renishaw.

* Sandvik Coromant.

Citizen Machinery's high pressure CoolBlaster system will be fitted to several machines and its UK developed CNC Wizard programming software, CNC Program Editor and wireless program transfer will be demonstrated.

CNC targets multi-spindle automatic lathes.

2008-08-08T22:27:00.002-07:00

SIEB & MEYER USA Announces 8th Generation CNC and Machine Control Platform for Multi-Spindle Automatic (MSA) Lathes

Provides OEMs, specialty machine builders, and retrofitters with a high-performance, all-digital machine control platform. We offer specialize applications for Acme, New Britain, Warner & Swasey, Euroturn and Gildemeister MSA lathes

Cincinnati, Ohio - SIEB & MEYER USA introduces its 8th generation CNC and motion control platform for Multi-Spindle Automatic (MSA) machine tools. This next generation CNC provides a sophisticated blend of industrial hardened technology with the advantages of a PC-based control that has seen business activity triple in 2008. Part lot sizes are smaller today, tolerances are tighter and the traditional screw machine shops must have more flexibility. CNC control of the machine is the solution to reduce setup time, add single point threading and improve accuracy. Other benefits include data collection, machine network connectivity, remote diagnostic service support and more.

"We are moving 1960's screw machine technology into the 21st. century and are very excited to offer this new platform to the industrial automation community," said Jay Endres, SIEB & MEYER USA, President. "We have leveraged our 37 year history to deliver a solution that provides OEMs, retrofitters and manufactures with a control that is easy to install, uses standard hardware components, and delivers superb performance."

CNC laser offers high cutting speed and

2008-08-08T22:27:00.001-07:00

Subcontract fabricator has found a CNC laser cutting machine that is not only able to handle the wide-ranging job specifications, but also offers speed, reliability and the highest cutting quality.

Young and Wood of Harlow, Essex, UK, makes a diverse range of components for architectural fittings, commercial buses and the banking industry The company recently installed a Syncrono laser cutting machine from Prima Industrie to keep production costs down and remain competitive
Young and Wood director, John O'Rourke, said that versatility is a key requirement as in the morning the company could be producing bus components, and in the afternoon, banking trolleys.

He explained: "It was vital we invested in a machine that was not only able to handle the wide-ranging job specifications, but also offered speed, reliability and the highest cutting quality".

Young and Wood works in a range of materials between 1mm and 15mm thick, including mild steels, stainless and aluminium The company sought machine that could cut heavy and light gauge material to the standards required. Six years ago the company added a Platino laser cutter from Prima to its machine park of mostly punching machines.

Young and Wood typically profiled up to 15mm thick mild steel, 8mm stainless steel and 6 mm aluminium sheet on the Platino, which provides 0.03mm cutting accuracy across its 3 x 1.5m machining envelope.

Superior dynamics enable head speeds of up to 140m/min and accelerations of 12 m/s2 to be achieved.

"The Platino's ability to pierce material in around 0.5s and cut at up to 6.5m/min has substantially reduced cycle times and increased our productivity, enabling us to minimise the effects of escalating raw material costs," reported O'Rourke.

"The machine's accuracy and repeatability has allowed us to manufacture a much wider range of products than is possible with our punching machine set up".

* Raising productivity - impressed with the Platino's versatility and the high level of support and back-up from Prima, O'Rourke decided to exchange it for a Syncrono in order to benefit from the further improvements to productivity and efficiency that it offered.

O'Rourke continued: "Prima has always responded quickly when we have needed assistance and that is so important for us, We had a few teething problems to overcome - which is to be expected with a piece of kit newly introduced to the market.

But it was the excellent service as much as the speed and accuracy we would get with the Syncrono which motivated us to invest in another Prima laser machine".

The Syncrono produces very fast processing times, enabling more than 1000 holes to be cut in 1 min.

While a job carried out on the punching machines typically took around 14s to complete, Young and Wood has been able to achieve the same operation on the Syncrono in just 4s (with nitrogen) and 6s (with air).

A major benefit for the company is the Syncrono's adjustable optics, which provide fast speeds and extreme precision, irrespective of the gauge of metal being machined.

"This feature really sold it to us in view of the wide range of materials and thicknesses we deal with every day," said O'Rourke.

"Syncrono's modular construction and versatility ensures we can machine all of our jobs with confidence and have the flexibility to meet future production requirements".

O'Rourke concluded: "We currently utilise a shuttle table, which, at the end of the day shift, automatically switches over two plates.

This is sufficient to feed the machine to enable 'lights out' operation.

However, we plan to install Prima's automatic Compact Server stacker/destacker in the near future.

Controlled directly by the Syncrono, this will enable us to handle an increased volume of work overnight".

* About Prima Industrie UK - Coventry-based Prima Industrie UK draws on the established track record of its Italian parent organisation, Prima Industrie, a world leader with 30 years experience in the design, development and manufacture of laser cutting machines and automation solutions.

Large CNC machine tool building

2008-08-08T22:27:00.000-07:00

The PTG Group has launched J and S Remanufacture to design and build large machine tools under the Crawford Swift and Binns and Berry as well as offering machine tool remanufacturing.

Precision Technologies Group (PTG) has launched 'Jones and Shipman Remanufacture' (J and S Remanufacture) to exploit opportunities in the large capacity machine tool sector J and S Remanufacture will design and build new machines under the 'Crawford Swift' and 'Binns and Berry' brands, in addition to expanding the remanufacturing and machine tool service expertise of the business J and S Remanufacture will be based at the Rosemount Works in Elland, West Yorkshire.

The new operation will continue to provide new machines, spares and service activities for its established brands including: Binns and Berry, Crawford Swift, Joshua Heap, and Hepworth Copy systems.

These brands will continue to function and develop in their current capacity, as providers of bespoke solutions for large lathes, grinding machines, and special purpose machine tools. PTG adds the recently acquired brands to the current PTG machine tool portfolio that already includes Jones and Shipman and Holroyd.

PTG said that the new business will also add valuable re-manufacture facilities and expertise to the group.

PTG Group CEO, Mark Franckel said: I am delighted that we have acquired these historic British brands and see enormous benefits in the synergy they create within the group".

* About Crawford Swift - throughout its company history Crawford Swift has been committed to developing and manufacturing large machine tools.

The company has specialist expertise in the design and manufacture of new lathes, friction stir welding machines, acrylic polishing machines and other special purpose machine tools.

In addition to developing its own models, Crawford Swift is renowned for re-engineering, remanufacturing, repairing and servicing machines with a work piece capacity of up to 250 tonnes.

A good example of which is providing a world class service re-engineering roll grinders including Churchill, Farrel and Waldrich for the steel industry.

* About Binns and Berry - Binns and Berry specialises in the design, manufacture and repair of large capacity CNC lathes for components up to 15 tonnes.

Binns and Berry has a novel modular construction technique, which includes a three-/four-guideway bed design that allows the turning of large components in a single pass.

Other specialist turning machines include the following.

* Sliding gap bed lathes.

* Offset/T bed lathes.

* Deep-hole boring machines.

* Thread whirling machines.

Standard and full turnkey systems are available.

The company also provides re-engineering, rebuild and retrofit services for medium and heavy duty turning machines.

* Jones and Shipman benefits - existing Jones and Shipman customers will also benefit from this acquisition as they will have access to the knowledge and products of Crawford Swift and Binns and Berry.

The companies operate from a 38,000ft2 engineering works facility in Elland with one of the largest slideway planing and grinding machines in Europe which can machine 14.5m x 3.3m x 2.2m in a single set-up.

The works is serviced by heavy craneage up to 50 tonnes.

The setting up of Jones and Shipman Remanufacture means that customers can benefit from Jones and Shipman quality service when looking for expert repairs and solutions for existing large machines.

A service is even provided where specialist machines can be sourced from around the world, remanufactured and installed to match the exact needs of the client.

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CNC Machine Version 2.0 by Eric New Video

2008-06-22T04:43:00.001-07:00

My CNC Machine - Jobs

2008-06-22T04:42:00.002-07:00

CNC machine playing xmas song

2008-06-22T04:42:00.001-07:00

Lecture - 23 Introduction To CNC Machines

2008-06-22T04:40:00.000-07:00

Universal tool presetting system is optical

2008-05-30T22:36:00.001-07:00

Schunk has introduced an optical tool presetting and measuring device for all conventional tool clamping systems, and can increase productivity in metal-cutting operations by 15%.

Schunk's TRISet optical tool presetting and measuring device can measure, check and adjust tools before using them The TRISet is suitable for all conventional tool clamping systems

Also, a Schunk Tribos clamping device can be optionally integrated to enable Tribos tools to be length set, clamped and measured in seconds.

The TRISet allows users to significantly increase machine running times and reduce machine down time caused by tool setting.

Tools can be clamped, measured and adjusted outside the machine while the CNC machine continues to manufacture parts, delivering significant time savings.

* Polygonal clamping technology - the Tribos polygonal clamping technology is especially suitable for tool presetting.

Schunk told manufacturingtalk that when compared with other toolholding systems, no axial displacement arises with the Tribos system.

The reason is because clamping occurs in the radial direction only.

The TRISet tool presetting system increases productivity in metal-cutting operations by 15% because the use of preset tools increases machine running times.

It also prevents reject components as even the first workpiece is machined to the exact size required with no deviation caused by the tool.

The Schunk TRISet offers the option of adjusting tools with exceptional precision using measurement programs for certain measurement tasks and checking the quality of the cutting edge.

Tool presetting enables micron precise tool measurement and this allows inspection of the cutting edge wear and edge quality.

The system also caters for measurement programs that monitor radial and axial run-out that determine the 'highest cutting edge' and 'largest diameter' dimensions.

* Menu format - a menu format simplifies operation considerably.

ImageController1 image processing allows length and diameter, as well as cutting edge angle and cutting edge radius, to be detected within seconds.

The setting devices are available in two measuring ranges with a range of measurement Z = 400mm and D = 400mm or a measuring range of Z = 600mm and D = 400mm.

To ensure quality over the long term, the Schunk Tribos presetting device depends on high-quality components, such as the following.

* Heidenhain measuring systems.

* THK guidance.

* Bosch pneumatics.

* Computers from Sirius.

The tool mounting spindle has 4 x 90 deg indexing and 360 deg brake as well as the integrated calibration edge.

* About Tribos polygonal clamping technology - the Tribos polygonal clamping technology was patented and developed by Schunk in 1997 and is based on a polygonal shape of the clamping bore.

In unclamped condition, it has a polygonal cross section.

If an exactly defined external force is applied to the clamping side of the toolholder, the clamping bore will deform.

The toolholder shank can now be introduced into a larger, circular bore.

After this force is removed, the clamping bore will return to its original shape and will clamp the tool shank.

Within seconds, the tool is changed using a hydraulic clamping device.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/shu/shu144.html

The Birth of the Virtual Machine, a Quest for Hybrid CAD

2008-05-30T22:35:00.000-07:00

Archimedes, a classical mathematician who died 2,200 years ago, is about to become part of the PLM (product lifecycle management) lexicon.

Soon after the ink dried on its acquisition of UGS, Siemens' Automation & Drives (A&D) division began working on a project dubbed Archimedes. Discussing it in the company's internal publication titled Pictures of the Future, publisher Arthur F. Pease wrote, "Siemens' recent acquisition of UGS has given its [A&D] Group ... the tools to merge the real and virtual worlds of production" ("Factories of the Future — UGS and Siemens," Fall 2007). For more on the Archimedes Project, read "Event Report: [2007] UGS Media/Analyst Conference."

At Siemens' 2008 media and analyst briefing, which took place in Boston, Massachusetts, in May, Michael Weyrich, leader of new-generation business at Siemens A&D, introduced tangible evidence of Archimedes in operation. By marrying UGS's NX to Siemens' motion-control capabilities, Siemens has developed the Virtual Machine, which connects CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) to CNC (computer numerical control).

CNC Behavioral Science
Generally, a CAM program simulates the machining operations by animating the machine's movements based on kinematics, the mechanical motions predicted based on physics. However, in the physical world, the CNC operator uses a controller attached to the machine to perform the required tasks.

"In the Virtual Machine, NX takes into account the unique machine-tool characteristics of the real machine's controller," Weyrich said, "so information like how a machine is configured on a certain shop floor, for example, will be part of the simulation."

With Siemens' Virtual Machine, the simulation process is driven not only by kinematics but also by the motion algorithms used by an actual 840D controller. Therefore, it is expected to faithfully depict the cutting conditions, axis movements, collisions, work piece geometry, and motion behaviors of the machine tools equipped with a Siemens 840D control.

The virtual machine can physically be found at INDEX, a CNC machine supplier headquartered in Esslingen, Germany. It is now part of what the company delivers to its customers along with the physical hardware.

The Virtual Machine, a use-case scenario derived from Siemens' Archimedes Project, produces accurate simulation of machining operations by incorporating the controller's algorithm.

E4DF
Wolfgang Schloegl, Siemens' digital factory team leader, followed Weyrich's virtual machine presentation with another that focused on the virtual factory, or E4DF (engineering for digital factory). In his view, the major shortcomings in today's engineering are:

* unsynchronized processes
* redundant data entry, processing, and storage
* insufficient validation of engineering results

His recommendation? Use Siemens' SIMATIC Automation Designer software along with Teamcenter as the data backbone. In its online literature promoting SIMATIC's openness as an advantage, Siemens states, "The previously separate worlds of mechanical components, electrical systems, and automation are now represented transparently in one plant structure. This guarantees data consistency. The result is that existing software tools can easily be used again and combined with SIMATIC Automation Designer."

With SIMATIC, CAD diagrams form the basis for plant layout. Once read into SIMATIC, they become the touchstones for configuring the production process. "The product has been field-tested for 1.5 years," said Schloegl. "It's now ready in a way that we can sell it."

By the end of this month, SIMATIC 3.0 should be available, along with E-CAD Extension Packages for automatically generating and integrating circuitry design. Schloegl revealed that SIMATIC will begin using JT, a lightweight file format developed by UGS, for visualization of factory components in 2009.

Live Rules Overrule Feature History
Synchronous Technology, Siemens' answer for combining freeform and parametric modeling, had been in incubation in a development lab at UGS before the acquisition. "When Siemens found out we had been working on this, they were delighted," said Chuck Grindstaff, Siemens' executive vice-president of products. With Siemens' contribution to the R&D budget, Synchronous Technology swiftly made its debut last month (for more information, read "Siemens Breaks Free from History".

In the first quarter of 2008, three history-based CAD vendors — Dassault, PTC, and Siemens — unveiled their own solutions that allow CAD users to employ a mix of modeling approaches. In February, PTC introduced a new version of Pro/ENGINEER that incorporates certain freeform-modeling features from CoCreate (acquired by PTC in October 2007). In April, Dassault previewed CATIA Live Shape, a freeform-modeling module for CATIA users.

Evan Yares, a CAD industry veteran in attendance at the Siemens event, said that what CAD vendors are pitching as freeform modeling may be described more accurately as "feature-imprint modeling."

Unlike the freeform-modeling methods found in software programs widely used by animation artists and game developers (such as Autodesk 3d Studio Max or Maya), the method now making its way into CAD packages relies on the recognizable topology of mechanical features (holes, tubes, and shafts) and makes every effort to retain the surface and geometric relationships. Therefore, Yares argued, the deformation is based on the existing imprint of a feature.

Synchronous Technology relies on Live Rules, a set of algorithms for detecting and recognizing standard mechanical features, to let the software intelligently reshape the affected geometry in response to a user's pushes, pulls, and dimension-driven changes. Live Rules can be disabled when a user wants to make an unorthodox change that might break the generally accepted associativities and constraints in a feature. Conversely, users also have the option to place locked constraints (or parameters) on a model.

In the demonstration, Dan Staples, director of Solid Edge product development, demonstrated how one can use Synchronous Technology to edit a Solid Edge assembly containing a SolidWorks part and an Inventor part. The new releases of NX and Solid Edge (dubbed Solid Edge with Synchronous Technology, or SEST for short) both feature Synchronous Technology.

Siemens promotes upcoming releases of NX and Solid Edge with Synchronous Technology as CAD tools with the potential to offer dramatically higher productivity in multi-CAD environments.
Other Highlights
NX 6 features Product Template Studio, a way to publish a simplified parametric model from a complex part as input. The tool is designed to let users automatically generate a brand new part based on an existing one through guided input fields, bypassing the need to directly interact with the geometry.

With NX 6, using the mix-mesh approach, a user can prepare a mesh model for analysis with different mesh densities for different regions. The tool is particularly useful when dealing with products with a mix of simple and complex curvatures or a combination of thick and thin surfaces.

Throughout the last several years, digital prototyping has become the new mantra for CAD and PLM vendors. It's an ambitious vision, wherein everything taking place on the factory floor — from the tilt of an automatic drilling arm to the posture of an assembly worker — is simulated with digital replicas first. Siemens' progress report on the Archimedes Project proves that having a hardware giant for a parent company can be an advantage.

http://manufacturing.cadalyst.com/manufacturing/Event+Report

Stiffer CNC turning centres up metal removal rates

2008-05-09T05:37:00.000-07:00

Considering resonant frequency, Index-Werke has redesigned of CNC turning centres to reduce vibration and double the machine structure stiffness to maximise metal removal rates.

Index-Werke noted that the higher the resonant frequency (RF) of a machine tool's structure, the greater is its inherent stiffness Consequently it becomes more difficult for machining forces to induce vibration

So Index has redesigned its patented SpeedLine C-type CNC mill-turning centres to increase their RF above that of all other lathes on the market.

Geo Kingsbury Machine Tools, launched the machines in the UK at the recent MACH 2008 machine tool exhibition.

Using the RF measure, the Index C-type lathes are over twice as stiff, or rigid, than the existing Index G-series models of equivalent capacity.

The company said that there is more scope for finding the 'sweet spot' for any combination of toolholder, cutter and workpiece material.

The design allows depth of cut to be increased for maximum metal removal rate.

* Improved surface finish - as well as increasing productivity, the increased rigidity and lower machine tool vibration also ensure good surface finish of the machined part, said Index, as well as prolonging tool life and reducing noise.

Index said that better damping leads to higher accuracy machining, even for strenuous applications involving intermittent hard turning and reaming.

The SpeedLine C-type 42mm and 65mm bar automatics, when launched in 2005, were the first in the world to replace conventional compound turret slides with two interconnected steel plates sliding directly over the machine bed.

The recent redesign of the range has seen these machines improved and two new models introduced with 30mm and 90mm bar capacities.

The defining characteristic of the lathes that provides such high RF and stiffness hinges on the actuation of the turrets.

Each is mounted on a front plate while an interconnected rear retaining plate is driven kinematically from behind the machine bed.

The critical advantage is that the distance between the turret centreline and the point at which it is driven is much shorter than for a compound slide.

Up to 14 tools can be used in each of the three turrets in the following manner.

* Turret 1 moves in X-,Y- and Z-axis above the spindle centreline and works at the main spindle.

* Turret 2 mounted below the spindles operates in X-, Y- and Z-axis at either end.

* The motion of upper turret 3 is restricted to the X-axis and works only with the counter spindle, which moves in the Z-axis.

Three tools can be in cut simultaneously for high productivity.

There are two sizes of machine frame, designated C100 and C200.

The former is the 'host' for the 30mm and 42mm bar capacity spindles and the latter (shown at MACH 2008) is for the 65mm and 90mm spindles.

Distance between the main and counter spindles is 510mm and 710mm respectively.

All models are fast, with 1G acceleration in X- and Z-axis up to 60m/min for the smaller machines and 50m/min for the larger models.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/kmt/kmt212.html

Thuro Screw Machining Expands On Aerospace Fittings

2008-05-09T05:34:00.001-07:00

Thuro Metal Products is a manufacturer of precision screw machined components; swiss and CNC swiss machining of metal components. Since 1971 Thuro has provided screw machining for many industries to include aerospace, avionics, optical, medical and energy. Single spindle and multi spindle machining, CNC turning and CNC milling of parts in all basic free machining materials plus alloy steels and exotic materials. Our quality precision machining now expands to include all types of tube fittings.

Our Fittings and Connectors including Dynatube Tube Fittings, Parker Tube Fittings and Statoflex Tube Fittings are used in aerospace and aircraft applications. Precision CNC multi and single spindle fitting components to Engineering Specs and from blueprintdrawings. Quality machining serving not only the avionics industry but fittings for hydraulics, electronics and pneumatics applications as well. At Thuro, we are experts in machining Titanium & 17-4PH. Secondary capabilities include safety wire hole drilling.

Using the latest carbide and HS tools and coated inserts, we can hold a tolerance of ±.0001 inches. Our precision lapping and burnishing equipment enables us to achieve surface finishes down to 5 RMS. Coupled with digital readout gauging that supports direct input into Statistical Process Control (SPC) software, Thuro ensures that all products meet world class quality standards ISO 9001:2000 Certified.

We continue to be leaders in close tolerance precision CNC turning and CNC milling components meeting the highest standards of quality; ISO 9001:2000 certified and QS9000 certified with long term contracts, and on time delivery. Complete in house secondary operations including 3, 4 and 5 axis CNC turning and milling, EDM wire hole drilling, honing, deburring and complete tooling and assembly.

http://www.aerospaceonline.com/content/news/article.asp

SmartCAMcnc Seeks Global Resellers

2008-05-09T05:33:00.000-07:00

SmartCAMcnc, the exclusive developer of SmartCAM computer-aided manufacturing software, has announced that it is seeking to build on the company's successful international dealer program by adding sales partners and distributors to support the increasing demand for the SmartCAM suite of CAM system software throughout the world.

Terry Antrobus, International Business Development Director, remarked “SmartCAM is recognized as an industry-leading CAM system with 25 years of market-tested success. Our business is rapidly growing around the world, facilitated by the affordability and unmatched capability of SmartCAM.”

SmartCAM sales opportunities are available in many regions around the world. Antrobus went on to say, “SmartCAM has in excess of 12,000 customers in 67 countries. Adding strong resellers in key markets will allow us to better support our world-wide customer base.”

http://www.tenlinks.com/news/PR/smartCAMcnc/050508_global_vars.htm

CADDIT Localizes T-Flex for Australia, New Zealand

2008-05-09T05:32:00.000-07:00

CADDIT announced release of the T-Flex CAD/CAM/CAE CNC software platform to Australia and New Zealand. T-Flex seamlessly integrates complete parametric 3D solid, surface, dynamic motion modeling and FEA into one single easy-to-use program. T-Flex also offers extensive CNC manufacturing tools for milling, lathe turning, wire EDM, drilling, etching and laser cutting.

After twenty years of major development, T-Flex CAD, CAM software is fully emerging onto the global CAD market. The unique T-Flex hybrid, Parasolids-based solid-surface modeler offers designers special ability to apply free-form modifications to their parametric designs. Freeform modifications are then added to the file history and can themselves then be changed parametrically. Sketches are created using an intuitive system of construction vectors and parametric expressions. Users migrating files from SolidWorks, Solid Edge or Autodesk Inventor can read these models directly into T-Flex without the use of STEP or IGES. T-Flex CAD also includes both the FEA and Dynamics Express modules for lightweight model simulation and kinematics. But this entire package still costs just a fraction of similar functionality from the other mid-range CAD programs.

T-Flex integrated CAM software manufactures the designs created or imported in T-Flex CAD. Users enjoy fully-associative multi-axis milling, punching, lathe turning, drilling, engraving, wire EDM, flame and laser cutting. Precise mould and die, core and cavity, insert and slide machining can be finished from the same interface with a wide variety of CNC secondary operations. Custom post-processors and user-definable tools allow machinists to specify virtually any cut. Integrated 3D post-processing allows machinists to verify the final associative, parametric toolpath.

Many businesses require CAD CAM software that is affordable, fast, flexible and easy to use. T-FLEX is best utilized in a creative design department that is under pressure to produce high quality scale drawings and/or solid models with rapid turnaround. Products that are subject to frequent geometric changes are ideal. T-FLEX can easily produce dozens of new drawings/models per hour, complete with documentation, from a single parametric model. T-FLEX can also be used as general purpose 2D and 3D MCAD software. It includes everything required for the professional design.

“We believe T-Flex CAD CAM Software is a good fit for Australian engineers. It’s fast. It’s flexible. It’s inexpensive,” Ben Decker from CADDIT explained. “The CADDIT.net website demonstrates this a little, but the best is for companies to try it for themselves before going into something more expensive. They can download it free from us and try it for a few weeks without obligation.”

http://www.tenlinks.com/news/PR/caddit/050508_tflex_australia.htm

CNC Programming System Poised for International Growth

2008-05-09T05:30:00.000-07:00

Software developer SmartCAMcnc increases international representation of SmartCAM software

EUGENE, OREGON - 3 March, 2008 - SmartCAMcnc, the exclusive developer of SmartCAM computer-aided manufacturing software has announced that it is to increase international representation and sales of the company's flagship SmartCAM suite of CAM system software.

Hugh Caldwell, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, remarked "SmartCAM is rightly recognized as one of the industry's premier CAM systems with a proven pedigree established over the past 25 years. Our USA sales team and existing international dealers do a great job, and the globalisation of design and manufacturing of the past decade presents us with new and increasing opportunities within many the regions of the global manufacturing economy. We needed to acquire a seasoned leader to assist our long-term international expansion."

To that end, the company has appointed Terry Antrobus, an experienced CAD/CAM professional, to head the development of international business. "We are delighted to have brought on Terry in the new position of International Business Development Director to manage our overseas business," continued Caldwell. "Terry has broad, invaluable experience in the development, sales, promotion and commercial support of CAM sales partners. It is an exciting time for SmartCAM, and I look forward to working with Terry as we make new friends, dealers and contacts around the world."

Prior to his CAD/CAM system sales experience in the late 1980s, Antrobus began his career as a production engineer programming CNC machines, and later held CAM support roles with a software provider. He relishes the opportunities presented in the new job: "I have always been enthusiastic for CNC machines and machining, and in particular am a strong advocate of the use of computerized techniques for programming. Good off-line systems are always a benefit for any CNC production process - today's systems more so than ever - and I am excited by the prospect of working with the highly-regarded SmartCAM product, as well as our dealers and customers around the world."

Antrobus has sold and supported SmartCAM in the past and recalls how impressed he was with his very first experience. "As part of the first sales team responsible for introducing SmartCAM into the UK, my first CAM sales position involved selling SmartCAM alongside CAD software. I clearly recall being highly impressed at the system's advanced functionality and simplicity of use, which had become apparent after only a few minutes of the introductory presentation. It was difficult to understand how such a substantial solution was available at a very competitive price. Much later I was quite pleased to learn that SmartCAM continues to be available and affordable, and that I had an opportunity to be directly associated with it."

Opportunities for SmartCAM sales partners and distributors are available in many regions around the world. Antrobus went on to say, "SmartCAM is ideal as a primary CAM system, and can also be useful supplementing existing products within alternative and new applications areas. I look forward to contact from new or existing businesses interested in working with our SmartCAM solution, and to exploring the many possibilities available."

Terry Antrobus can be reached directly at terry.antrobus@smartcamcnc.com.

About SmartCAM & SmartCAMcnc

The SmartCAM family of computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software provides CNC programming capabilities for a wide range of parts, from 2-axis work to complex 3-axis molds, dies, and prototypes. SmartCAMcnc provides software, maintenance and technical support for all SmartCAM users.

SmartCAMcnc is a Springfield, Oregon-based company that develops, sells and supports SmartCAM for the benefit of its worldwide customer base of over 6000 companies in 67 countries.

http://news.thomasnet.com/companystory/543959

Affordable robotic bending cell is easy to operate

2008-02-25T21:00:00.001-08:00

The first showing of a competitively priced, automated robotic bending cell will demonstrate its easy operation and programming for small to medium sized sheet metal components

LVD said it will be concentrating on 'cost-effective' sheet metal working automation and integrated sheet metalworking systems at the UK's MACH 2008 machine tool exhibition. LVD will exhibit two machines never exhibited in the UK before, including one making its world debut. * Affordable robotic bending cell - making its world debut the LVD RoboCell automated robotic bending cell offers affordable automated bending.

LVD told manufacturingtalk.com that the cell combines the company's extensive press brake bending technology and Kuka robotic material handling integrated under an off-line LVD CADMAN software system.

Competitively priced against other robotic bending cells in the market, LVD said its RoboCell is easy to operate and program.

The cell is ideal for companies looking for affordable automation of the bending of small to medium sized components.

Flexible and intuitive RoboCell enables the operator to move from 'art to part' faster and with fewer interventions than other conventional robotic bending cells, said LVD.

* CNC laser cutting - complementing the new RoboCell, the LVD Orion 3015 plus CNC laser cutting machine is complete with automated autoload unit and makes its UK debut.

LVD said that the Orion 3015 Plus is ideal for subcontractors or OEMs, which require a compact and value minded automated laser cutting solution.

The Orion 3015 Plus Autoload provides cost-effective automated laser cutting in a robust, reliable and compact package.

* Off-line programming - LVD will also exhibit its leading CADMAN offline software solutions including the following.

* CADMAN B 3D - Bending.

* CADMAN P - Punching.

* CADMAN L - Laser cutting.

The software will demonstrate how LVD can combine the manufacturing processes providing customers with the fastest route from 'art to part'.

Managing director of LVD in the UK, Chris Phillips, said: 'Affordable mid-level automation is becoming increasing important for sheet metalworking companies these days.

The balance of should you automate or should you add labour is an on going struggle for most sheet metalworking companies.

We are looking forward to discussing and demonstrating to new and existing clients how we can provide them with an affordable and cost-effective automated solution for their sheet metalworking shop'.

* About LVD - the LVD Group is a leading manufacturer of a comprehensive range of sheet metal/plate working machine tools and software solutions, including laser cutting systems, punch presses, press brakes, guillotine shears and mid-level automation systems, integrated and supported by its CADMAN PC-based Windows compatible software.

The Group's UK subsidiary, LVD Limited, has its headquarters, showroom and service centre in Banbury, Oxfordshire.

* LVD at MACH 2008, NEC, Birmingham, UK, April 21-25, Hall 4, Stand 4466.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/lvd/lvd173.html

Speed up quality checks in CNC machining

2008-02-25T20:59:00.004-08:00

To speed up quality control routines in CNC machining, a tool recognition system can detect broken tools in under a second, while a radio transmission probe reduces inspection times

Renishaw will present at the UK's MACH 2008 machine tool exhibition products and training initiatives that will help businesses to reduce process times and minimise quality costs for a wide range of machining and measurement applications. Renishaw will be quoting two very different, but highly successful UK companies that are fighting back against overseas competition through a commitment to the latest technologies, and a tight focus on process control.

This contribution to speed is demonstrated by BK Tooling, which has just five employees, yet is successful in the highly competitive mould and pressure die-cast tools market.

Using Renishaw touch probes to automate part and tool setting, jobs can be changed over rapidly, and costs reduced by maximising machine up-time and eliminating scrap, said Renishaw.

* High-quality parts at competitive prices - a further example is provided by Martin Aerospace, which has recently won a new contract with Rolls-Royce owing to its ability to provide high-quality parts at competitive prices.

At its Lanarkshire factory the use of high-accuracy Renishaw touch probes and complementary inspection software, has reduced floor-to-floor times significantly.

This technology has also enabled strict process control regimes to be introduced, allowing the company to maintain very tight tolerances and reduce scrap on complex inconel parts.

Addressing the UK skills shortage * Skills shortages - based on its years of manufacturing experiences, both from its own factory and the many thousands of probing applications at customer sites, Renishaw has developed a training course based around a concept called the Productive Process Pyramid (PPP), which aims to help address the UK's shortage of skilled engineers.

A network of Renishaw Productivity Centres (RPC) will be developed to deliver the courses, where students will be exposed to the principles and practical aspects of the PPP.

PPP is used to systematically identify and controls sources of variation in machining processes, and tackles topics such as design for manufacture, the control of process inputs and environmental stability.

The West Midlands Manufacturing Measurement Centre, based within Coventry University, has been announced as the first RPC, and will commence courses in Spring 2008.

* New products - at MACH, Renishaw will show, for machine tool applications, its TRS2 tool recognition system.

The TRS2 takes typically less than 1s to detect broken tools.

For users looking to reduce inspection times by measuring complex 3D part geometries on all sizes of machining centres, Renishaw's new RMP600 compact, high accuracy touch probe with radio signal transmission, is a powerful solution.

Also being demonstrated is Renishaw's twin-probe system, which uses a single optical receiver for tool setting probes together with a spindle-mounted touch probe for component inspection, offering fast integration.

This will comprise the OMP40-2 touch probe and Renishaw OTS cable-less tool setter, which is particularly suitable for machines with twin pallets or rotary tables.

* Compact laser interferometer - for visitors to MACH 2008 looking to optimise machine performance, the Renishaw XL-80 is a compact laser interferometer measurement system.

Renishaw told manufacturingtalk that it combines portability, performance and ease of use for calibration routines.

* CMM developments - for CMM users, the revolutionary REVO 5-axis measuring head and probe system can improve inspection throughput levels by up to 900% on machines previously fitted with 3-axis scanning systems.

* machine tool builders - for designers within the machine tool industry, Renishaw's SiGNUM non-contact RESM angle encoder has a large through-hole making it ideal for high-speed feedback on machine tool rotary axes, and is now available with FANUC serial communications.

For applications that require the highest accuracy, the REXM angle encoder offers new levels of angular metrology, with better than +/-1 arc sec total installed accuracy, zero coupling losses and exceptional repeatability.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/rea/rea468.html

Device measures and presets tooling optically

2008-02-25T20:59:00.003-08:00

A highly accurate optical tool presetting and measuring device can clamp, measure and adjust tooling outside the machine while the CNC machine continues to manufacture parts

Schunk has introduced its highly accurate TRISet optical tool presetting and measuring device. The TRISet is suitable for all conventional tool clamping systems and as an additional bonus, the Schunk Tribos clamping device can be integrated as an option to enable Tribos tools to be length set, clamped and measured in seconds.

The TRISet allows users to significantly increase machine running times and reduce machine down time caused by tool setting.

Tools can be clamped, measured and adjusted outside the machine while the CNC machine continues to manufacture parts, delivering significant time savings.

* No axial displacement - the Tribos polygonal clamping technology is especially suitable for tool presetting.

In contrast to other toolholding systems, no axial displacement arises with the Tribos system as clamping occurs in the radial direction only.

The TRISet tool presetting system increases productivity in metal-cutting operations by 15% because the use of preset tools increases machine running times.

It also prevents reject components as even the first workpiece is machined to the exact size required with no deviation caused by the tool.

Moreover, said Schunk to manufacturingtalk.com, the TRISet offers the option of adjusting tools with exceptional precision using measurement programs for certain measurement tasks and checking the quality of the cutting edge.

Tool presetting enables micron precise tool measurement and this allows inspection of the cutting edge wear and edge quality.

The system also caters for measurement programs that monitor radial and axial run-out that determine the 'highest cutting edge' and 'largest diameter' dimensions.

* menu simplifies operation - the menu format simplifies operation considerably.

Length and diameter as well as cutting edge angle and cutting edge radius are detected within seconds thanks to ImageController1 image processing.

The setting devices are available in two measuring ranges with a measuring range of Z = 400mm and D = 400mm or a measuring range of Z = 600mm and D = 400mm.

To ensure quality over the long term, the Schunk Tribos presetting device depends on high-quality components, such as the Heidenhain measuring systems, THK guidance, Bosch pneumatics and computers from Sirius.

It is also important to highlight the tool mounting spindle with 4 x 90 deg indexing and 360 deg brake as well as the integrated calibration edge.

* Tribos polygonal clamping technology - the Tribos polygonal clamping technology was patented and developed by Schunk in 1997 and is based on a polygonal shape of the clamping bore.

In unclamped condition, it has a polygonal cross section.

If an exactly defined external force is applied to the clamping side of the toolholder, the clamping bore will deform.

The toolholder shank can now be introduced into a larger, circular bore.

After this force is removed, the clamping bore will return to its original shape and will clamp the tool shank.

Within seconds, the tool is changed using a hydraulic clamping device.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/shu/shu142.html

Minimize Toolchange Times

2008-02-25T20:59:00.001-08:00

The Matrix Tool Magazine’s fourposition revolving disk keeps the next tool

ready and waiting for a machine’s toolchanger arm. This eliminates any delay, even after a short machining cycle.

Machine operators also can access a fully secure carousel-style rack to load tools without interrupting magazine operation. A high-speed servo-driven transfer robot then delivers tools to the work area.

As a stationary tool-storage rack, the Matrix allows shops to tool up their Toyoda (www.toyoda.com) horizontal machining centers for more part numbers, keep back-up tools on hand and eliminate time-consuming trips to the toolroom.

The system accommodates as many as 500 tools, and a compact version holds 184 tools. Maximum tool lengths handled are 21.6 in., maximum diameters are 9.84 in., and maximum tool weights are 59.4 lb.

Features that make the Matrix easy to use include PC-based software, tool identification and monitoring, and OP Supporter software. The magazine’s compact design houses an array of tools in a footprint about the same height as the machine tool itself.

PC-based software shows a layout of the entire Matrix magazine, with easy-to-use touch-screen navigation. A second touch on any tool displays detailed information and an image for that specific tool.

The magazine controller reads the part program to pre-select and display the needed tools. Continuous monitoring the magazine, loading station and revolver keeps track of every tool.

Toyoda’s OP Supporter software enhances tool management by providing a convenient overview of the magazine at the machine CNC. This confirms that the right subprograms and tools are ready for each job. Tool change speed is automatically adjusted according to weight for optimal cycle time.

http://www.americanmachinist.com/304/Issue/Article/False/78570/Issue

Panel folder available from Top Spec Machines

2008-02-25T20:58:00.001-08:00

1999 RAS Flexibend 500 Panel Folder Model 73.30 Top Spec Machines has a 1999 RAS Flexibend 500 Panel Folder model 73.30 available for immediate delivery.

RAS Flexibend 500 Panel Folder model 73.30 is flexible and innovative and so you can do literally anything you wan to when it comes to creating unique, complex and value added parts for your customers.

For instance you can bend up to 3 mm thick mild steel. The CNC is on a pendant, and moves easily to the back of the machine for operation from the rear. The flexible backgauge and sheet support system can be configured as J or U shape.

Segmented Goats Foot tooling allows you to create virtually any shape you wish. The lower beam tooling and folding beam is also segmented, giving you the ability to accept reverse flanges.

http://www.ferret.com.au/c/Top-Spec-Machines/

Advanced laser cutting and forming of tube shown

2008-02-25T20:57:00.002-08:00

Integrated tube processing systems enable users to improve labour productivity and component quality while simpler programming and fast production of prototype parts speeds product innovation

Investing in modern tube processing technology as a direct replacement for traditional multiple machine processes offers UK industry a proven cost-effective counter to competition from low labour cost countries, said BLM Group UK. Investment will be the theme of the BLM Group's stand at the UK's MACH 2008 machine tool exhibition where, for example, visitors will be able to take part in a multi-media experience that highlights the key aspects of the tube laser cutting and profiling process.

Overall, the emphasis will be on BLM Group's 50-plus years of experience in the design and manufacture of tube laser cutting, tube bending and tube end forming machines and systems.

Integrated tube processing systems improve labour productivity and component quality and, with their ease of programming and fast production of prototype parts, drive new product innovation, said BLM.

* All-electric CNC tube bending machine - a classic example of the Group's technology-driven approach is its E-Turn all-electric CNC tube bending machine.

It has been designed specifically for the bending of small to medium sized tubes, typically used for complex car and motorcycle components, hydraulic pipes and furniture.

Because the complete head can rotate through 180 deg, the E-Turn is capable of left- and right-hand bending in automatic cycle.

BLM told manufacturingtalk.com that this eliminates work-in-progress and optimises just-in-time operation, while the all-electric technology contributes a 20-50% productivity increase when compared with 'traditional' powered models of bending machine.

The E-Turn machine is available in four maximum tube OD (outside diameter) capacities (30mm, 35mm, 40mm and 52mm).

Complex components requiring radii of less than 1 x diameter can be produced using the 'bend boost' device, which can have its power modulated during the bending process to avoid unsightly stress marks on high value components.

Precise control of the E-Turn's 12-axis movements, courtesy of BLM's Visual Graphic Programming (VGP 3D) software, significantly reduces set-up times because all parameters are stored and can be re-called without further mechanical adjustment being necessary.

The electric axes automatically adjust position, which enhances accuracy and repeatability, and components are not only produced 'right first time', they are repeatable batch to batch without undue reliance on operator expertise.

Since all axis movements are set automatically, a job change-over can typically be completed within two to three minutes.

This multi-tool stack tube bender - up to eight different bend tools can be mounted at any one time - brings with it fewer bend tool changes and less downtime.

The VGP 3D software allows checking on-screen, providing a reliable guide to component cycle times and identifying any possible collision risk.

And because the PC-based control selects the correct parameters, the guesswork is taken out of tube bending and the most complex of tubular components can be completed in one cycle.

* BLM Group UK at MACH 2008, NC, Birmingham, UK, April 21-25, Hall 4, Stand 4811. Request a free brochure from BLM-Group UK....

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/blm/blm121.html

Increase CNC machine tool productivity

2008-02-25T20:57:00.001-08:00

CAD/CAM developer and metrology specialist are to hold two free seminars in the UK on increasing machine tool productivity

CAD/CAM developer Delcam and metrology specialist Renishaw are to hold two free seminars on increasing machine tool productivity in the UK during March. The first event will be at Renishaw's Wotton-under-Edge base on Tuesday March 4; the second will be at Delcam's Birmingham headquarters on Thursday March 6.

Both events will show delegates the many ways in which Renishaw's hardware and Delcam's software can help companies to increase the productivity of their machine tools.

The presentations will be divided into three sections.

1 - Ways to prepare for maximum machining efficiency - these will include the use of the latest calibration methods from Renishaw to check machine tool set-up and advanced programming strategies from Delcam to give more efficient machining.

2 - Faster and more accurate methods to set up jobs on the machine and to maintain efficient process control - these techniques ensure that the machine is not only manufacturing parts more quickly but also that the parts being made are of the required quality.

3 - Latest inspection techniques, especially on-machine verification - these techniques ensure that any problems can be identified as soon as possible, allowing them to be corrected more quickly and at lower cost.

'Many companies have invested heavily in very capable machine tools but find that they are not achieving the productivity gains that they expected,' said Renishaw's Marc Saunders.

'These seminars will show delegates practical measures to improve machine tool efficiency and so increase profitability.'

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/dea/dea700.html

CNC Machining Centers

2008-02-12T06:28:00.003-08:00

Busellato JET 100 & 200 Series

5 Axis CNC machining center

Busellato’s new JET 100 & 200 Series of CNC machining centers, available from Delmac Machinery Group, are the affordable solution for customers who want flexibility. The series is designed for heavy--duty routing, drilling and machining of solid wood pieces and is well equipped for typical panel processing. The working area starts at 4' x 10' and goes up to 4' x 20.' The drill head has 19 vertical spindles and eight horizontal and can be configured with 10--, 12-- or 16--hp HSK electro--spindles with C--axis capability to work with a variety of aggregates, as well as multiple vertical routers, high speed saws, horizontal routers and material probes. The machines also come standard with Genesis Evolution.

8168 ON INQUIRY CARD

Gannomat Index From Tritec

CMS Router Multilathe

A CNC controlled point--to--point drilling, gluing and dowel inserting machine, the Gannomat Index from Tritec features variable programming of boring and dowel inserting patterns with horizontal and/or vertical drilling capabilities. The Index's Windows® operating system with menu--based software is programmable in seconds by absolute, relative or pitch measurements in metric or inches. Automatic mirror--image and program optimization plus virtually unlimited stored program capacity are standard. With a 1250 to 2500mm (49 to 98") working width, the Index allows you to select from 1 to 4 separate work zones.

8171 ON INQUIRY CARD

Jenkins 2200 Series

BIMA 310 Expert Series

The Jenkins Systems 2200 Series Shaftless CNC Double End Machining Centers provide fast set--up and advanced machining capabilities. The shaftless design features electronic squaring that is constantly monitored for accuracy. Productivity rises as operations such as CNC edge profiling and shaping, corner rounding, jump tenoning, angular gaining, boring, routing, blind cutting, and haunching can be computer produced and reproduced accurately on these feed through machines.

8169 ON INQUIRY CARD

SCMI Tech Z30 CNC Boring & Routing Center

Morbidelli Author 744 SA CNC Machining Center

SCM GROUP USA’s new SCMI Tech Z30 is designed for Just in Time production and high production facilities. The Tech Z30 features include a 10 hp air--cooled router, tubeless vacuum work cups, digital display of tubeless vacuum table supports, high speed configuration, high production boring unit, high capacity vacuum pump, graphical diagnostics, graphical interface, and a non proprietary personal computer. The SCMI Tech Z30 is also completely network ready and operates with all major design software.

8170 ON INQUIRY CARD

Morbidelli Author 744 SA CNC Machining Center

Jenkins 2200 Series

SCM GROUP USA introduces the new Morbidelli Author 744 SA CNC Machining Center. The Author 744 SA features a 5 X 14 working field, 15 hp electrospindle, 10 position tool changer, 38 spindle drill head, and X/Y grooving saw. The Author 744 SA utilizes the Morbidelli tubeless vacuum system with semi automatic pod positioning. Standard features also include a Dell PC, CAD/CAM software and user--friendly operator interface. This system helps prevent the operator from routing or drilling through vacuum pods and trays. The set up time per field is approximately 20 –- 25 seconds depending on the program.

8182 ON INQUIRY CARD

BIMA 310 Expert Series

Gannomat Index From Tritec

IMA America Corp. introduces the BIMA 310 Expert Series of modular CNC machines -- for efficient processing of furniture elements and interior design components. Suitable for production of large quantities as well as for batch size, this machine promises to be an investment with high returns. The BIMA 310 is available with edgebanding, enabling complete processing at one station, and with flat table design for nested--based manufacturing.

8172 ON INQUIRY CARD

CMS Router Multilathe

Busellato JET 100 & 200 Series

CMS announces its new 6 axis CNC machining center for gunstocks, chair and table legs and "carving" operations. All this combined into a single machine, Router Multilathe, provides one solution that answers all specific production requirements. Router Multilathe accomplishes a reduction in processing times and an increase in machining accuracy, finishing quality of the worked surface, as well as a considerable reduction in sanding times. Most importantly, it provides complete design, prototyping and production flexibility through CNC in conjunction with the latest popular CAD/CAM software in the industry.

8173 ON INQUIRY CARD

5 Axis CNC Machining Center

HOLZ--HER CNC Machining Centers

Morbidelli Author 430 SNB CNC Machining Center

CMS announces its new ARES--PX5 CNC machining center. Full 5--Axis interpolation for chair parts, carving, entry doors, stair volute up--easing combinations, also aluminum & plastics, and modeling. Complete LEAN MANUFACTURING flexibility with high volume performance. Work areas from 5' x 12' x 4' to 8.5' x 19' x 4' with multiple zone configurations for pendular production or single--work area production. Other features include: 16--HP, 5--Axis liquid--cooled spindles with fast toolchanging capability; fully enclosed machine for maximum safety and dust collection. Industry standard Fanuc & OSAI controllers with PC--front ends for ease--of--use and ethernet connectability.

8174 ON INQUIRY CARD

HOLZ--HER CNC Machining Centers

Holz--Her PRO--Master

HOLZ--HER provides a full range of CNC Machining Centers for all applications, console type point--to--point, gridded table suitable for nested based machining, flat solid table to provide free placement of vacuum pods and our unique META Conversion system offering fast and economical change over from gridded table to elevated pod providing the ultimate in machine flexibility. In addition a wide range of options are available for your specific application. Our SmartSource team provides software integration to insure smooth communication between your design software and the CNC machine. Pictured is the company’s Easy--Master.

8175 ON INQUIRY CARD

Morbidelli Author 430 SNB CNC Machining Center

Hendrick combination machine

SCM Group USA offers the new Morbidelli Author 430 SNB CNC Machining Center. The Author 430 SNB is available in variety of table sizes 4 X 10 up to 5 X 22 and has an optional rake system for increased production. The Author 430 SNB features a 24 spindle drilling head, 15hp HSK F63 liquid cooled router and ten--position rapid tool changer. The Author 430 SNB has a user--friendly interface operated by a Windows XP platform, standard office PC and is supplied with CAD/CAM software compatible with all major design software packages.

8177 ON INQUIRY CARD

Holz--Her PRO--Master

Stiles Hetan CNC machining center

The PRO--Master 7123 is the latest development in the Holz--Her CNC product line. With a 16--Kw, 21.5--hp liquid cooled HSK spindle, 18 vertical and six horizontal drills and a 12 position ride--a--long tool changer as standard. The PRO--Master 7123 is designed to meet the most challenging of applications and will make it North American debut at 2005 AWFS Las Vegas

8176 ON INQUIRY CARD

Hendrick Combination Machine

SCMI Pratix 48 NST CNC Nested Base Machining Center

Hendrick has combined the best of both a CNC router and a point to point boring machine with the new model 60CNCB--1313WT. Standard features include CNC router style tables pre--machined for zoning and pod fixturing, heavy--duty CNC router spindle, 0/90 degree saw head, 32mm independently controlled gang vertical drills in both X & Y axis and horizontal double ended drills in both X & Y axis. The feature rich Windows2000 based PC controller comes standard with built in easy CAD/CAM software. Optional features include up to 100m per minute rapid traverse speeds, single or dual tables that can be slaved, automatic tool changers, and pop--up stops.

8178 ON INQUIRY CARD

Stiles Hetan CNC Machining Center

Stiles Machinery Inc. offers the heavy--duty, flexible Heian ZR--442PMC twin--table CNC machining center. Features include four 24,000 rpm, HSK--63F quick--changing router spindles coupled with Heian's heavy--duty, dynamic 8--tool automatic tool changers (ATC). For further flexibility, optional C--axis capability can be included to allow the use of various aggregate attachments. Material is held on two 102” x 63” vacuum tables for pendulum or tandem operation by a high volume, oil--sealed liquid--ring vacuum system. Feed rates of up to 60m per minute, along with the four high--speed router spindles, make this machine a solid match for high--production manufacturing where high precision and unsurpassed uptime are required. Additional features include the Fanuc 180i--MB digital CNC control, with an integrated Windows NT PC and full four--axis simultaneous control; and fully automativ machine and spindle lubrication.

8180 ON INQUIRY CARD

SCMI Pratix 48 NST CNC Nested Base Machining Center

SCM GROUP USA introduces the new SCMI Pratix 48 NST that brings total panel processing power to an entry--level machine without compromises. The Pratix 48 NST features a 48" x 105" work area, 9 spindle drilling head, 10hp HSK F63 router, and eight--position tool changer. It has a user--friendly interface operated by a WindowsTM XP platform and a standard office PC and is equipped with CAD/CAM software compatible with all major design software packages.

8179 ON INQUIRY CARD

http://www.wooddigest.com/products/article.jsp?siteSection=68&id=300

Developing A Safer Way To Machine Magnesium

2008-02-12T06:28:00.001-08:00

Machining magnesium parts is risky business. The small chips and fine dust generated during cutting are highly flammable and pose a serious fire risk if not properly handled. These particles are commonly removed from the machine tool by means of a vacuum extraction system, in some cases using a hood mounted near the cutting tool to collect particles as soon as they are produced. Dry machining or use of minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) in conjunction with this extraction method allow chips to be recycled and can eliminate secondary part cleaning operations. However, auxiliary collection devices hamper both tool changes and machine high speed movements.

http://cnc-info.blogspot.com/

Guide To CNC Machines

2008-02-12T06:27:00.003-08:00

CNC machines are used in a variety of industrial settings and in woodworking shops. Most are out of the price range for the individual user, but can be purchased used for about half the price. These machines increase speed and accuracy when doing large jobs or repetitive tasks.

How CNC Machines Work

CNC machines are used in a variety of industry, manufacturing processes and woodworking shops. CNC routers are used for drilling holes. Some machines have the capability of holding several tools. This allows them to perform more than one operation at a time. They save time and improve accuracy.

CNC stands for Computer Numerated Control. This technology was first seen in the 1970s. The machines need to be programmed and set up properly before operation. Once the initial set up is completed, they are fairly easy to operate and keep running.

In CNC routers, they can be programmed to drill holes in an automatic fashion. This is faster and more accurate over several pieces than in manual drilling. The results are more uniform. This method is very beneficial for larger jobs that require a lot of drilling. Manual drilling can become tiring and when the operator becomes tired, the results can become inconsistent.

Types of CNC Machines

A CNC lathe is a good piece of equipment for cutting wood. These come in models ranging from fifteen to forty horsepower. The amount of power you need depends on the amount of wood you will use with the lathe. The best models operate in several different modes, from completely manual to all CNC. This allows you to tailor the machine’s operation for each project.

A Bridgeport mill is the best in milling technology. Mills are used in many industries, both large and small shops. They are efficient and reliable. Bridgeport mills are built to last a lifetime. However, they are very expensive. The price is out of the range that most people can afford.

The CNC mill is a specialty piece of equipment. It uses computer programming and robotics for accurate operation. The results are more accurate than any person could ever achieve. For this reason, Bridgeport mills are often used in the airline industry. Once the specs are entered, the CNC decides which tools need to be used and automatically changes the tools as needed.

Engraving equipment is made to engrave a variety of materials including glass, stone, metal, wood, composites and many others. The machines mark and engrave with more accuracy than could ever be achieved by hand. Everything from large signs to small lettering can be done, depending on your needs.

Buying Used units

CNC equipment is very expensive and out of the price range of most people. Buying used CNC electronics is an affordable option for some people. You can save nearly 50% or more on some equipment. Be careful when buying used, you want to be sure the equipment is in good condition.

A better option is to look for refurbished equipment. These machines have been inspected at the factory. Any broken or damaged components are replaced. In many cases, the machine is painted and new decals are applied. It’s like getting a new machine for a significantly reduced price. Often, you will get a one year warranty with reconditioned equipment. This gives you time to be sure it is working properly and if not, you can get it fixed for free.

http://www.reprint-content.com/Article/Guide-To-CNC-Machines/734

CNC Carving Overview

2008-02-12T06:27:00.001-08:00

High tech cnc carving has taken school projects a long way from a hammer, chisel and a block of wood that wound up being a birdhouse for Mom. Today’s students are using CAD programs and cnc machines to make a carving that includes intricate design features. The experiences help give them a running start with the skills they will need for tomorrow’s job market. Cnc carving is the process of using a computerized machine carving away the unwanted material from a stock piece, leaving only the computer aided design piece. A computer numerical controlled machine can maintain extremely tight tolerances to produce pieces with a very high level of precision. They can carve virtually any material, including metal, wood, plastic and even ice.

Specialized computer software takes CAD designs and ‘tells’ the cnc machine to cut a specified amount of material from a stock piece with specialized cutting tools. The machine will make a series of precision cuts on multiple axes to yield the finished cnc carving. Virtually any object that can be designed with a CAD program can be carved with a cnc machine.

A cnc carving can be extremely intricate within extremely tight tolerances. Once the machine is set, hundreds and even thousands of identical pieces can be carved. Tolerances as tight as 0.005 inches are possible.

One of the advantages of a cnc wood carving is that when the CAD design is created, the cnc machine can be used to make one or many identical pieces. Students in many schools are learning to come up with an idea for the project and design it with a computer and a CAD program. The design is then controlled number of cuts made by the cnc machine to produce a perfectly carved piece. Elaborate desks, coffee tables and other projects are now being built in many schools with this technology and equipment. Students in schools are given projects as a means of teaching them the technology and the machine operating skills necessary to run this equipment.

Cnc carving skills are necessary for design and development work as well as actual production. These are the important skills these students are learning. They are developing the ideas, creating the designs and using specialized software to translate them into designs to be used by the cnc machines. The actual operation of the machine requires only a minimum of skill relating to properly loading the stock material and removing the finished pieces. These skills development prepare the students for a much different career than could have been imagined when schools taught students to build birdhouses with a hammer, saw and piece of wood.

http://www.insidewoodworking.com/cnc/cnc_carving.html

CNC machine performs variable radius bending

2008-02-12T06:26:00.006-08:00

Although the company made its name in tube manipulation, and is a successful business that has been part of Metalrax Group for the past 30 years, Toolspec's managing director, Dick Corking, says it is probably more accurately defined as 'a producer of welded assemblies'. An example of this approach is the tube components for LH and RH versions of a tractor cab grab handle that are being produced on the sixth tube bending machine to be supplied by BLM Group.

Because both conventional and variable radius bending can be combined in the same automatic cycle, the BLM Dynamic 2 is particularly suited to producing the complex components often to be found in the design and manufacture of, for example, furniture, air conditioning systems, motor vehicles and 'yellow goods', such as tractors, excavators and earthmoving equipment.

However, when manipulating tube for these demanding applications the bending process should, ideally, produce a consistently accurate result if, as is the case at Toolspec, each tube component is subsequently placed in a fixture and lugs, brackets, plates and similar items robot welded in place.

Since manual intervention to correct any misalignment that may have occurred during tube manipulation is not an option, there is no room for error, especially when the component in question is a grab handle that locates directly onto glass and cannot be adjusted to fit when delivered to the assembly line.

'The fact that we robot weld the grab handle assembly combined with the actual configuration of the tee-piece demands that we bend the tube within a 2mm envelope, which for tube work is a very tight tolerance,' said Corking.

'We got the initial order before we bought this latest BLM machine on the basis of our track record for this type of work, and I am delighted to report that, over the past 18 months, we have maintained a consistent high quality and order quantities for this particular assembly are expected to double in 2007.' Toolspec produces a wide range of bent tubular products, from brake pipe assemblies to safety cages for earthmoving equipment, and is a long-established user of BLM Group equipment.

The tractor cab grab handle order has been placed by a French OEM and it is not the first time that Toolspec, with the help of BLM's applications team, has replaced an overseas supplier.

'To succeed against stiff European competition demands investment in modern production equipment and the Dynamic 2 has risen to the challenge of a difficult component and a high standard of accuracy and repeatability,' said Corking.

'Although the component features a multiple-radius bend it looks as though it is a single, gentle radius.

Even so, BLM Group was the only supplier prepared to guarantee that its machine would do the job - in a cycle time of around 45 seconds - and an added bonus is that the after-sales support is very good.' The Dynamic 2, which can bend tube up to 42mm diameter, can be equipped with up to two sets of bend tooling for conventional bending with two different radii, or compound bending with little or no straight between the bends.

This, combined with the capability of producing variable radius bends and curves along the entire tube length, makes it a totally flexible tube manipulation system.

The Siemens 840Di CNC fitted as standard to the Dynamic 2 uses digital technology and the graphical interface can be personalised to user requirements.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/blm/blm103.html

VISI-Series - machining STRATEGIST

2008-02-12T06:26:00.005-08:00

The Shop Floor Machining Solution machining STRATEGIST is a CAM system designed for high speed machining with built-in logic for use with solid carbide and carbide insert cutters. Developed by the people at Vero International in England, machining STRATEGIST is used in Mold, Tool and Die, Prototype and Pattern shops for generating cutter paths on complex geometry developed in disparate CAD systems such as VISI-Modeling, CATIA, Unigraphics, Pro/Engineer, SolidWorks, and Solid EDGE.

Most popular CAM systems that are used in today's mold shops weren't designed with High Speed Machining in mind. In order to take advantage of today's cutter and machine tool technology, machining STRATEGIST had to be and was designed completely from scratch. Released less than 6 years ago, it is the newest technology on the market today.

Using the latest software development tools, Vero people created a CAM system that generates efficient toolpaths very quickly, while still maintaining unparalleled ease of use. Strategist also takes advantage of multiple processors for more productive programming. But, the biggest advantage of machining STRATEGIST is in it's toolpath generation. Because it maintains a cut stock boundary, it knows exactly where to go to remove stock. It allows use of higher feedrates because toolpaths are created without any sharp corners so cutter deflection is maintained more constant. And all this allows your CNC machines to run faster and more productively with less wear and tear.

Advanced Rest Machining
Steep and shallow areas are machined in a single toolpath with different strategies - steep and shallow machining - for each. Crucially, rest machining can be calculated in areas where the final cutter is smaller than the curvature of the part.

Point ReductionAll machining passes operations now support enhanced point reduction and arc fitting. Arc fitting is enabled by default for those operations where it is likely to have the biggest benefit. In benchmarking, reductions of over 50% in NC file size have been observed.

Horizontal Finish Machining
Horizontal surface machining has been designed to use a flat-based cutter. This strategy will dramatically reduce the time it takes to finish machine the flat areas on a complex 3D mould, and in finish machining pockets in aerospace components.

Rest Roughing
The system will calculate the rest areas of a selected toolpath - areas left on the surface that have been insufficiently machined - generate a stockmodel with this information, and edit passes to it.

This is a good way to generate efficient toolpaths, reducing air-cutting and shortening the machining time.

Morph Machining
Each pass in a morphed "patch" - the toolpath prior to linking - echoes the shape of the one before, while suggesting the shape of the one after. Akin to machining with the flow of a surface but by creating a set of boundaries with control points, the operator can exercise tight control on how a toolpath flows as it is mapped onto the model.

It is now possible to access two advanced machining presets quickly and easily from the menu, consolidating pencil milling and constant surface stepover.

Parallel Pencil Milling PassesA set number of passes are offset from an active boundary or existing single line toolpath.

Tapered cutter support extends to carbide insert button cutters, predominantly used for roughing. To leave a tapered finish, it is critical to rough with taper to leave a material-on condition.

http://cnc-info.blogspot.com/

Use 5 axis CNC machining for precise work

2008-02-12T06:26:00.003-08:00

5 axis cnc machines are used for a variety of purposes. Large scale machines can be used to mill automobile sized pieces, including models for wind tunnels or casting. Smaller 5 axis cnc machines are also available, and these can save time by reducing the amount of material repositioning needed for 3D products. In order to understand 5 axis units, it is necessary to take a brief look at 3 axis machining. A standard 3-axis machine operates in 3 linear axes of movement (x, y, z). These axes of movement tell the tool where to begin and stop each procedure, and could produce 3D engraving. But if you wanted to machine the sides of the project you would be forced to reposition the material.

In addition, 5 axis cnc adds two more axes of movement (a, b). These two axes allow the cutting tool to tilt so that the sides of the material can be machined. The result is e.g. a cnc router that can produce highly accurate 3D products quickly and efficiently.

CNC routers with five axis are ideal for accurate, high-speed trimming, cutting, and routing of wood, plastic parts, composites, clay, and metals. These routers come in many different sizes, ranging from garage sized machines designed for making aluminum molds to larger models designed for accurate cutting and trimming of large aircraft parts and other components. They are fully automated, and allow the operator to input just a few commands to produce many different pieces. These machines can also help to trim and finish large metal and plastic pieces with just a simple cnc software.

Who uses a 5 axis machine

Because a 5 axis machines typically takes up a great deal of space, it is highly unusual to see these machines in anything but the largest shops and manufacturing plants. The high cost of a 5 axis machine also makes it prohibitive for users on a smaller scale. The most typical users are companies which need to produce large, one piece products with shaping, carving, or finishing on all sides. Plastics plants, aerospace factories, automakers, and fabricators are just few examples of industries which use 5 axis cnc technology.

http://www.insidewoodworking.com/cnc/5_axis_cnc.html

About CNC Machining

2008-02-12T06:26:00.001-08:00

Computer numeric control (CNC) machining is a manufacturing process that automatically shapes or forms metals or other materials into highly precise parts. This is done through the manipulation of raw materials by machine operated cutting tools. Precision CNC machining systems are equipped with a computer consisting of one or more microprocessors and storage units. CNC machines utilize specialized software in conjunction with CAD/CAM software systems to instruct the tooling to execute the exact movements necessary to create the part. Precision CNC machining is a highly automated process that requires very little attention from workers. Operators only need to load materials and make any adjustments to the design parameters in order for a CNC machining operation to run unattended for a certain period of time. Precision machining is an efficient and quick way to precisely produce detailed parts.

CNC machining can consist of a number of detailed operations including grinding, turning and precision laser work. They are essentially modern milling machines and the range of available procedures is vast. The process more generally begins with the loading of a “raw” metal piece referred to as a billet. This piece of metal may have been cast, forged or rolled. It is then cut via laser or other device to create highly detailed work, as in the case of laser CNC machining. The milling done by a CNC machine requires little “finishing” to remove rough edges or blemishes, but some post production work may be required to meet safety regulations.

The majority of the operations of a CNC machine take place on what is called a lathe. This lathe performs any operations which require the rotation of the piece in order for the cutting or milling to take place. Parts like the lathe require frequent calibration to ensure accuracy of operation. The maintenance required to keep a CNC machine working does make it a more expensive operation than other types of metal forming, yet the accuracy of the final part is greater, and the range of services available is much wider. Since acute angles are virtually impossible to create using a standard forging or molding technique, CNC machining has become the preferred metal machining method for many industries.

It is important to know the parameters of a machine part that is needed when utilizing CNC machine work services. Many CNC machining service companies will create the design code based on specifications given them. Often the CNC machining systems are able to take an existing part and create code based on photo imaging programs. Some companies will take a CNC file and create the parts on their machines. Many shops are able to handle both continual and short-run orders. A few CNC operations can create a decent amount of waste material, so looking for a shop which has appropriate, up-to-date recycling methods is crucial to saving material and money in the long run.

http://www.cnc-machining.biz/info/cnc-machining/index.htm

Wire EDM Machines: An Overview

2008-02-12T06:25:00.003-08:00

While there are many brands and models of Wire EDM machines available today, the three most prominent manufacturers are Elox, Japax, and Mitsubishi.While each of these companies manufacture similar products, there will always be some varying features such as the User-interface with the CNC controller, the numbers of wires, be it a 4-axis or 5-axis Wire EDM machine, type of electrical current (AC vs. DC), and the gauges of wires that can be used.

Another very big difference will be the size of the tank in which the manufacturing is accomplished.Some examples of specifications for one model from each of these companies are:Elox Fanuc Model M - (the Fanuc indicating the type of CNC controller that is a component of the Elox Wire EDM) has an X-axis path of 20”, a Y-axis path of 14”, and a Z-axis path of 10”Japax Wire EDM Model LDM-S - has a Y-axis path 13.8” and capable of machining a work piece with the measurements of 15.7” x 19.7” x 5.9” and a table that moves 7.9” x 13.8”Mitsubishi Wire EDM Model DWC 110 H-1 - has an X-axis of 12”, a Y-axis of 18”, and a Z-axis of 10”Each of these models only represents one of many different models offered by their respective manufacturer.

Variations will be observed from model to model with some differences including the distance that each axis wire can travel, the size of product that can be manufactured and the CNC controller.When selecting a wire EDM machine, one must take into consideration the product that will be manufactured, the degrees of tolerance and variances that are allowed, how detailed the cut will be, and not least importantly, the funds available for purchasing the wire EDM.While Elox, Japax and Mitsubishi are three prominent manufacturers of wire EDM machines, remember that there are also other manufactures of wire EDM machines.

http://cnc-info.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2007-01-23T01%3A31%3A00-08%3A00

Fagor automation offers CNC systems - Machine tools of Spain: European quality

2008-02-12T06:25:00.001-08:00

Conversational 8055i TC/MC CNC's from FAGOR AUTOMATION

The most outstanding feature of FAGOR AUTOMATION's CNC systems is their operating friendliness, simple and intuitive, which gives them a competitive edge widely acknowledged by our customers. There are standard models with ISO and high level programming with the possibility of conversational programming that make them adaptable to both single-part work and long runs.

Conversational CNC's from FAGOR AUTOMATION (8055iTC/MC) may be adapted to the usual work method of a shop and have been designed to make intuitive programming easier for the operator; they have an interactive editor based on operations associated with each one of the processes that make up the machining of a part. The previous graphic simulation helps verify each operation and correct the data entered.

The system is programmed very easily. All the automatic operations have an interactive help, geometry defining area and other areas to set the machining conditions of the roughing and finishing stages with several editing levels or types of cycles with their own screen. This minimizes the preparation time; and any operator, without previous programming knowledge, can operate the CNC and carry out typical operations efficiently.

Its intelligent profile editor, similar to an integrated mini CAD, helps create profiles without the need for complex calculations by directly entering the values and parameters of the part, run a previous simulation and machine the part defined. If the part is too complicated, the preparation may be faster than when using an external CAD-CAM.

Telediagnosis and Setup Assistance On FAGOR AUTOMATION CNC's

FAGOR AUTOMATION has developed the Telediagnosis option to remotely control all the incidences that may occur on the machine.

Just connect the CNC with the PC of the Technical Department via the internet through a modem. This way, the technician, from his work table and at his own PC can remotely manipulate and observe the system status (CNC-drives-motors). This functionality may be used to detect PLC program errors, do a setup, or change parameters (CNC, motors mad drives), saving in travel expenses and labor of the technicians and minimizing machine down time by receiving assistance and error diagnosis immediately.

In order to facilitate the setup, it offers assistance such as the oscilloscope function and the circular geometry test.

The Oscilloscope function shows the response of the axes in time. With this feature, the signals may be seen directly at the CNC. (variables of regulation, path, feedback, etc.) without requiring external devices to check the status and facilitate the adjustments of the machine. The advantage of this feature is that the setup and the troubleshooting of incidences are faster and the diagnosis easier (even remotely) because the signals generated by the oscilloscope may be sent by fax or email.

The Circular Geometry Test may be used to cheek the behavior of the axes when doing a circle by enlarging the measuring errors of the axes. This function helps detect mechanical misadjustments and check the performance of the electronic equipment quickly while saving on additional devices.

http://cnc-info.blogspot.com/2007/01/fagor-automation-offers-cnc-systems.html

What is a CNC Machine

2008-02-12T06:24:00.003-08:00

What is a CNC Machine? CNC stands for Computer Numeric Control. Sounds complicated, but it isn’t. Years ago, it was just NC, or Numeric Control. Since, they’ve added computers to control the machine.

In the simplest of terms, think of a drill press. It’s a machine that drills holes. But before you can drill the hole, you have to loosen the chuck, install the correct drill bit, drill the hole in the correct place, turn off the drill, and remove the drill bit. Manually, this could be time consuming and cause fatigue over the course of numerous parts. This is a simple example, but throw in some lathe or milling machining and you have a greater chance for error.

With the CNC machine, all of this drilling can be done automatically instead of the manual process listed above. Machining has to be precise, and whether you use a CNC lathe or milling machine, you have to make sure the part is right. The computer takes a lot of the guesswork out of the machining of these parts. In fact, a CNC programmer can sometimes get bored watching the machine do all the work.

But there is more programming for the machine than you would think. The operator has to enter a set of instructions. The programming uses about 50 words and tells the machine how fast, how deep, and location for machining.

What can you do with a CNC machine? In manufacturing, you can use this tool for milling, drilling, reaming, boring and counter boring. You can also groove and thread parts in a CNC turning center. You may have several setups including CNC lathes, CNC drill and tap area, CNC milling, or even CNC grinding.

EDM (electrical discharge machining) can also take advantage of CNC operations. EDM can be either vertical or wire. A vertical EDM machine uses an electrode to make a cavity for a plastic injection-molding machine. A wire EDM machine uses a wire to cut metal for a tooling operation for fabrication. EDM is more closely related to making tooling for other machines, people often overlook the use of CNC with these machines.

CNC machines can also be used with routers in the wood industry. CNC can also be used with lettering and engraving.

I hope this gave you some basic information about what a CNC machine is and what they are used for.

http://cnc-info.blogspot.com

Probes improve CNC machining cycle times

2008-02-12T06:24:00.001-08:00

Dunlop Aerospace Braking Systems, a part of Meggitt, is a global organisation that designs, develops and manufactures wheels and brakes for commercial and military aircraft applications. Aircraft production in the UK has experienced steady growth and to meet this demand the hub and flange cell at Dunlop Aerospace purchased three key CNC machines between 1998 and 2000, at that time actively specifying Renishaw probe systems. This has increased process consistency and has also had a marked effect on the manufacturing time.

* Dramatic reductions - Andrew Cartledge, team leader of the hub and flange cell, speaks positively about the decision to employ Renishaw probing systems, 'We've seen improvement both in machining cycle times and the overall set times every time we've introduced a component to the cell'.

'This is critical to our New Product Introduction process (NPI) which we use every time a new wheel is introduced, essentially allowing us to 'design for manufacture'.' * Runners, repeaters and one-offs - orders for wheels fall into three different categories according to the number of batches made each year.

The 'runner' orders are classed as those wheels produced in more than 10 batches a year; 'repeaters' are less than 10 batches a year.

Dunlop Aerospace also supply one-off orders and recently succeeded in a very impressive project to re-manufacture components for the 1950s Canberra.

This involved taking original drawings and re-programming the machining through the modern CNC process.

Cartledge continued, 'NPI involves a process we call Manufacturing Process Approval (MPA) whereby any machining process must be closely analysed to see if it affects the stresses and component strengths of a wheel assembly.

All the main 'runners' and any 'repeaters' that are introduced to the new cell need MPA before production can start.' * Investment in technology and automation - between 1998 and 2000 Dunlop Aerospace chose to spend nearly GBP 2 million on three state of the art multi-axis CNC machines; a multi-axis Mazak Integrex - a turning centre with full C-axis and driven tooling to give milling capability; a Mazak HV800 5-axis horizontal machine centre; and the most recent investment, a Mori-Seiki MT4000, at the time the first of its type in the UK.

* Probe systems make all the difference - the underlying technique made possible by the integration of the probe systems is the ability to identify the component position and material condition, updating and monitoring the deviation in the wheel forgings.

This reduces cutting time, as it eliminates fresh-air cuts - this is because the probe ensures that the critical surfaces of forgings are accurately located and metal cutting starts immediately.

* The importance of one hit machining - during the cutting process stresses are relieved in the material, so one hit machining results in the cutting process achieving greater consistency.

L77 aluminium is the most commonly used material and, with the high cost of each process, it is essential that Dunlop Aerospace keep scrap levels low.

In-process monitoring and tool offset updating ensures process control and minimises scrap.The nature of the aviation industry demands ever-increasing accuracy and quality, ensuring both wheels and brakes can be reliable in all conditions and scenarios.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/rea/rea422.html

Trade old machine tools for latest CNC models

2008-02-12T06:23:00.000-08:00

Trade old machine tools for latest CNC models Trade-in values for used machine tools against new purchases should be available within around 10 min from C Dugard, UK, under its Express Delivery from stock package for CNC machine tools. Trade-in values for used machine tools against new purchases should be available within around 10 min from C Dugard of Hove under its Express Delivery from stock package for Hyundai-Kia and its own Dugard Eagle range of mill/turn centres, lathes, vertical and horizontal machining centres. In addition, due to its expertise in the machine tool market, certain other machines from the extensive turning, milling and grinding products available from C Dugard can be included for fast track pricing.

This capability draws on C Dugard's specialist second-hand machine tool sales operation and worldwide network of distributors that provides a ready market for any traded-in equipment.

Says managing director Eric Dugard: 'Our aim is to provide a 'one stop' solution to customers with the availability of two trucks and crews.

We can quote a sale, price a trade-in, arrange delivery and very often the trade-in price can provide the deposit and part finance for the new installation.

We get a lot of market feedback from our connections around the world and do not have to involve third party machine tool sales companies.

Therefore we can often provide a more competitive and immediate package deal.' Around a third of Dugard Eagle machines are now sold this way and as Eric Dugard points out, the international contacts can prove to be very valuable to customers.

He cites one customer with four Manurin lathes that the UK trade were very reluctant to accept.

'Our distributor in France was able to quickly source an outlet for the French built machines enabling us to painlessly extract the machines and install the new lathes in the customer works within a few days of the order being confirmed.'

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/cdu/cdu160.html

Build your own CNC machine

2008-02-07T20:58:00.001-08:00

Ready for some hard core gadget creation? If you thought your dremel tool was handy before, in today's How-To we'll start building our own CNC machine. Aside from the geek factor, it can be handy for making things like PC boards without chemicals or maybe some little styrofoam voodoo heads of all your enemies, uh friends.

Gentlemen, start your soldering irons.

Computer controlled mills have been around for a long time. If you just want to buy oneone,

Sherline makes mills that are ready to go (pictured is their CNC ready model -- just add your own motors and controller). But then again, if you wanted to buy one, you probably wouldn't be reading this, now would you? A CNC machine is a lot like a precision drill press with a table that moves in two directions -- seeing a commercial unit like the one above should help you visualize the end goal. We'll be making ours from scrounged, recycled, and adapted parts; today we'll be going over the basic parts we'll need to build our own.

Parts Hunting
For Part 1 of the How-To, we'll go over all the major components of the project and get started with the controller.
The major components of the DIY CNC machine:

Stepper motors
drive positioning screw
3 Axis stepper motor controller
Linear slides

The most important component to determine the construction of your milling machine is the motor. Motors can be purchased from surplus houses, but the cheapest place to get them is from old dot matrix printers. Apple Imagewriters are one of our favorite sources. They contain multiple stepper motors, and the primary is pretty beefy. As a bonus, just about every dot matrix printer has a hardened steel rod that can be useful for our nefarious goals.

A stepper motor is an odd beast. Most motors spin when power is applied, stepper motors contain multiple coils. If the coils are energized in the proper order, the motor will rotate a small amount (a step). We'll take full advantage of the nature of stepper motors with this project. To simplify your life later on, you'll want to find stepper motors with more than four wires. Four wire motors are usually Bipolar motors. They produce more torque, but end up complicating the control circuit. The preferred type of motor for the frugal hobbiest is Unipolar. These usually have five or six wires, and they're pretty easy to work with.

Most stepper motors are labeled. The major points of interest include the voltage, resistance and the number of degrees per step. Knowing the number of degrees per step is vital for configuring the software to properly control the machine later on. For a three axis machine, at the very least you'll want the X and Y axis to both have identical motors. It's not the end of the world if they don't match, but it's more of a pain later on.

The drive screw is the next piece of our project. Commercial units use linear ball screws or linear gears. The commercial parts aren't cheap, but you can get away with some 1/4-inch threaded rod from the hardware store. Instead of anti-backlash nuts, we'll use these handy 1-inch long 1/4-inch nuts. Just about every hardware store has them, and they produce very little play. Try out the hardware at the store because defects in the nut or rod will produce drag that's easily noticeable by spinning the nut on the rod.

To couple the rod to the motor shaft, we'll use vinyl tubing with a pair of collars. The tubing is 1/4-inch inner diameter and prevents binding by allowing some play between the rod and the motor. You can get suitable collars from a model airplane store (The hardware store had some, but they were overpriced). Alternatively, you can make your own like we did from nylon bushings and hex screws.

Finally, we'll need some linear slides. One easy out is to purchase a used or surplus XY table that's built just for this purpose. Custom designs can be built using ball bearings. Above is the linear rail that
ShopBot uses. They machine the edge of a piece of steel and use this cool angled roller bearing.

We built this linear slide from a 1/2-inch steel rod and multiple bearing surfaces. It works, but we don't recommend building it if you value your sanity.

Once uou've bought or salvaged a set of motors, you'll need a controller. The controller provides the interface to the computer, drives the motors and can provide some simple feedback to the computer. The stepper controller has to be powerful enough to drive the motors you've selected. We sifted through lots of stepper controller designs looking for one that presented the best value.

In the end we found this design for a relatively simple parallel port interface that originally appeared in a 1994 issue of Nuts and Volts. Today, the expensive UCN5804B is only available as a surplus item, but now the entire controller can be built for about $22-$30 in parts. (If you use a heavier motor like the ones from the Imagewriter, you might need to add some separate power transistors.)

The parts list at the link is a bit outdated, here's our updated shopping list.

3 - UCN5804B -alltronics.com
12 - 1N49355 Diodes - Part 625-1N4935 from Mouser.com
2 - .01uF Capacitors - Part 581-SR155C103KAT from Mouser.com
1 - 10uF Capacitor - Part 140-HTRL25V10-TB from Mouser.com
3 - 4.7k Resistor Network 652-4608X-101-4.7K from Mouser.com (Has an extra resistor, but works fine)
1 - D-Sub 25 pin Male - Mouser, RadioShack, etc.
1 - Barrel power connector - Whatever works for your power supply. (We used a spare 12V power brick)
Stranded Cat-5 is sufficient for wiring
Terminals and male headers are optional, see the page for the circuit.
Heat sinks for the 5804Bs are needed. We used some aluminum channel.
Copper clad PC board (We stock up on ebay every so often)
Etching solution - Ferric Chloride, etc.

We made our own board using the template from the web page. We used similar techniques to the one in part 4 of our iPod Superdock How-To. We reversed the pdf image using Gimp, and printed it onto a laserprinter transparency. This method doesn't create as nice of a trace as the paper, but it's speedier. Clean the board, and keep the paper backing between the plastic and the iron. Once the toner is ironed, just cool it with water and peel.

We etched the board using Ferric Chloride from RadioShack in a disposable Zip-Lock container. It needs to be warm and agitated to work well. The acid and hydrogen peroxide solution etches way faster.

We drilled the board with our drill press and tungsten carbide bits from Drill Bit City. We had to refer to the placement schematic several times to make sure we drilled everything right. Getting the pins holes aligned for the 5804s is a challenge!

If you want to do a toner transfer of the placement mask, do it before drilling the holes. Otherwise the surface is too uneven to allow a good transfer. If you screw it up like we did, you can cheat. Just print the mask onto a transparency and burn holes for the components with a soldering iron. It works surprisingly well.

Next time we'll start building the actual machine and show you how to build some simple and effective slide systems. For now, here's a teaser of what's coming! Good luck!

http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/29/how-to-build-your-own-cnc-machine-part-1/

Lovati Fratelli and new GIANT-83

2008-02-07T20:57:00.003-08:00

LOVATI Fratelli glass working machinery is known throughout the industry for excellence in engineering.

Founded in 1939, the LOVATI Fratelli Company has manufactured shape edging, bevelling and companion equipment for over 60 years, pioneering today’s automated glass fabrication production.

These machines are specifically designed to meet the stringent requirements of heavy production with superior performance and minimal maintenance, and they are sold all over the world.

For processing shaped glasses, LOVATI Fratelli manufactures a wide range of machines, which starts from simple manual and semiautomatic machines up to the most sophisticated CNC machines.

GIANT-83: The biggest CNC ever produced

Numerical control machine to grind and polish the bevel and the edge on shaped glasses with internal and external curves, straight line edges and mitred corners.

GIANT-83 has 5 axis with linear and circular interpolation of axis X, Y, Z, A for head rotation and B for spindle inclination. The A axis can rotate 360" in continuous mode.

In addition to grinding and polishing of the bevel and the edge, this machine can also perform holes, pin and screw inserts, internal and external milling and routing.

By using angular groups (optional) the machine can make sawing and grooving on shapes.

On the spindle it is possible to stack 1 bevelling wheel or 2 diamond wheels and 1 polishing wheel for grinding and polishing the edge.

More than one glass sheet can be positioned on the working table.

GIANT-83 can process glasses up to 8.300 x 3.210 mm!

The machine is equipped with a particularly strong and powerful head (14 kW) which can have a maximum inclination of 90 degrees (horizontal position).

This characteristic allows to grind the bevel and the flat edge on high thickness glass with any type of required inclination and by using cup wheels instead of peripheral wheels.

The high power of the spindle and the strength and rigidity of the machine whole structure allows to work glass or stone up to a maximum thickness of 100 mm.

The working table can be divided in two sections, each one equipped with 12 positions tool station, with automatic selection for tool withdrawal and deposit.

- CAD-CAM Software

- Teleassistance by modem

- Special bevel polishing system with felt and cerium oxide

http://www.glassonweb.com/articles/article/371/?myKeyword=cnc%20machines

CNC Complements Machine's Abilities

2008-02-07T20:57:00.001-08:00

When designing its new Twin Series line of dualspindle production machines, DMG America wanted to incorporate a CNC that would help the machine to give users benefits before, during and after machining cycles.To accomplish this, DMG engineers wanted a control that would run seamlessly in conjunction with the machining center's complex hardware and software packages. They opted for the Sinumerik 840D powerline CNC from Siemens Machine Tool Business .

DMG's extensive software and tool presetter packages for the Twin Series feed data to the Siemens CNC for expanded efficiencies during set up and for predictive maintenance. The machining centers save time and programming costs from the initial stages by enabling users to visualize, on screen with DMG's Programmer 3D turning software, the entire machining process before a tool touches the first workpiece. They can also simulate all machine movements and tool positions, resulting in as much as a 50 percent reduction in setup time. In addition, compiled software data instantly transfers to the CNC, with minimal operator involvement and no programming time.

In process, the Siemens CNC uses its five-axis interpolation and threetool strategy to perform the complex operations in an error-free mode, says DMG engineers. Furthermore, processing speeds are not diminished by automation add-ons for the CNC. These add-ons can include automated workpiece pickup and disposal with a bar-loading magazine, automatic offloading to an integrated conveyor and a fully integrated part-handling system for loading and unloading chuck pieces.

Mark Page, senior applications engineer at DMG says the Siemens control lets him and his customers do what they need to do to integrate software. "It simply allows us more flexibility in programming before the operation, during the entire machining and part-handling sequence and after the job is done, in terms of validation, data transfer and predictive maintenance," he says.

The 840D powerline features a high-performance, industrial PC, 15-in. TFT screen, fast network connections for accessing all data in real time, even to a remote location or on-line service center, on-board diagnostics, error displays in plain text and an ergonomic graphical user interface. The CNC accommodates up to 31 axes and 10 channels.

http://www.americanmachinist.com/304/Issue/Article/False/24780/Issue

CNC machining center features 35hp spindle motor

2008-02-07T20:56:00.004-08:00

Taiwan – Awea Mehanronic Co. Ltd is offering model BL4018S, a CNC horizontal boring machining center equipped with a 35hp spindle motor.

The model has a spindle speed of 2,400rpm and a maximum torque of 1,300Nm. It also has a 40-tool magazine with a maximum tool diameter of 250mm, length of 400mm and weight of 15kg. The lubrication and coolant tanks can contain 6 and 200L, respectively.

The product weighs 40.5 metric tons and is fitted with a 1,400x1,600mm table that can carry a load of 6 metric tons.

The x-, y-, z- and w-axes are 4,000, 1,800, 1,000 and 600mm, respectively. The rapid traverse is 10,000mm, for the x-, y- and z-axes, and 5,000mm for the w-axis. The positioning accuracy is ±0.01mm per full stroke and the repeatability is 0.003mm.

Price is given on direct inquiry. There is no minimum order requirement. Delivery is within 90 days after receipt of an L/C.

http://www.globalsources.com/gsol/I/CNC-machine/a/9000000078571.htm

High Speed Machining Software—Mastercam/CNC Software

2008-02-07T20:56:00.003-08:00

The company will showcase the new Mastercam Version 8 CAM tools. A highlight is a set of new software tools for high speed machining (HSM). HSM is a new approach to cutting workpieces; the goal is smooth motion with very few sharp corners, allowing for fast, shallow cuts. Combining this specific tool motion with high spindle speeds, high speed machining delivers faster turnaround and a superior finish.

The company offers a suite of fully associative high speed functions, including smooth tool motion on and off the part--Mastercam will move the tool in a smooth are off the workpiece to avoid any sharp angles; variable Z-level cuts--HSM commonly involves finishing a part using Z-level cuts only, and this software can automatically vary the Z-level step-down for a more consistent material removal; continuous Z-level looping--it can loop the tool off of and onto the part between each Z-level cut, eliminating sharp step-down motion; channeling--by using small, continuous looping motions for certain pocketing operations, the software helps eliminate potentially harmful tool burial; ramp contouring--users are able to cut even deep contours with a single, continuous ramp motion, eliminating sharp corners; circle milling--this eases the tool into the material in a circular motion before cutting in a smooth, spiral patterns; and high speed facing--the software provides a special facing routine optimized for high spe ed machines.

The software includes dozens of new features designed to simplify both basic and complex programming. Examples include full associativity in all products, open pocket machining, automated circle milling, faster surface and solid modeling and multi-surface, five-axis cutting.

http://cnc-info.blogspot.com/

CNC Grinding Machine optimizes CBN in shaft production

2008-02-07T20:56:00.001-08:00

Designed for volume production of round and non-round shaft parts, Zeus M has grinding length to 950 mm, max diameter of 430 mm, and center height of 220 mm. Product handles workpieces up to 80 kg and combines cylindrical, non-round, plunge, and high-speed peel grinding (HSP) in one machine. It employs polymer Granitan machine bed, galvanic-bond and ceramic-bond CBN grinding wheels, and 130 mm rotary diamond dressing.

MIAMISBURG, OH - United Grinding Technologies, Inc. (UGT) announces the Zeus M, the latest high-performance CNC universal grinding machine for round and non-round shaft parts from Studer Schaudt.
The Zeus M is designed for volume production of camshafts, crankshafts and gear shafts, as well as steering assembly parts, eccentric shafts, axle components, turbo rotors and others. With a grinding length up to 950 mm, a maximum diameter 430 mm, and a center height of 220 mm, the Zeus M handles workpieces weighing up to 80 kg. The Zeus M combines cylindrical, non-round, plunge and high-speed peel grinding (HSP) all in one machine.
A polymer Granitan machine bed provides optimum vibration dampening and thermal stability. The sliding Z-axis with digitally controlled ball screw drive and X-plus Z-axis with hydrostatic guideways offer ultra-precise axes positioning and repeatability for precision shaft grinding. High-frequency motor spindles combined with galvanic-bond and ceramic-bond CBN grinding wheels from 70 mm to 650 mm diameter enable constant circumferential grinding wheel speed of up to 200 m/sec.

http://cnc-info.blogspot.com/

Move over machine tools here come robots

2008-02-07T20:55:00.002-08:00

There is a classic failure to communicate in the machine shop. Robots run on brand-specific languages all their own, while conventional CNC machine tools read G-code generated through CAM software. But what if a robot's control was programmed to read G-code directly from a CAD/CAM program?

That robot could gain the functionalities of a CNC machine tool, including full 5-axis contour surface-machining capabilities, and it could be programmed in minutes to work on any 3- or 5-axis workpiece. Current technology typically requires hours, or even days of programming before a robot is ready to work. In addition, machining cells that included such robots could provide a low-cost alternative to machining centers and routers for secondary part operations and could eliminate the work-envelope constraints of those machines when dealing with large components.

Programming Plus Inc. says its Robotic Machining Cell turns this "what if" scenario into a reality. The robotic machining cell hinges on software developed by the New Berlin, Wisc., company that smoothly translates CAM-generated G-code that is ready for a 5-axis machine tool into usable code for a 6-axis robot. No other company in the world has accomplished that, says Tim Brooks, robotic sales engineer at PPI. Programming Plus specializes in CAD/CAM, DNC and shop floor automation.

Programming Plus uses Delcam Power-Mill software to generate G-code for Kuka Robotics robots in its robotic machining cells (RMCs). Since the cells function like machine tools, operators can turn the robot's spindle on and off, change rpms, and override speeds and feeds. Until now, such functions could not be done, says Brooks, because they were not within a robot's control.

Shops typically use conventional robots equipped with spindles for trimming, cutting and deburring around part profiles. But these shops must "teach" robots by moving them to multiple points around parts, and the more complex the part, the longer teaching takes. And teaching robots to go from one part to a different one requires even more teaching. Robots in a robotic machining cell move from one part to the next without having to be taught, and do so with less than 30 minutes of preparation time, no matter what the level of part complexity.

If an operator is unsatisfied with a robot's cutting path in a robotic machining cell, he can change the cutting path in the CAM system or he can manually teach the change and insert it into the toolpath, resave the program, and run it. Also, since robotic machining cells use Delcam's PowerMill software, shops can conduct robot and part-machining simulations to check for possible collisions and obstructions, and do gouge checking prior to running a program. In addition, Brooks says his company's software soon will let shops monitor robots, via cameras, from remote locations over the Internet.

Programming Plus' software offers shops another benefit: resolving problems of singularity. Singularity occurs when all of a robot's axes approach being in line with zero. They increase their speed to keep up, they get to a point where they are moving too fast and, in a way, they lock up and stop. The condition is similar to constant surface footage on a lathe. The problem is that shops can not predict where singularity will happen.

Fortunately, as the robotic machining cell software transfers G-code to a robot, it evaluates the program for physical configurations that might cause singularity. If any are found, the software modifies the program to eliminate them.

Most shops do not associate 5-axis contour surface machining with robots primarily because it would take a great deal of time to teach a robot all the necessary data points. Instead, shops use CNC machine tools. If the parts are large, they are split into multiple pieces that fit on the machines and reassembled after cutting. Alternatively, shops will remove machine panels and doors to mount the portion of the workpiece that needs cutting on the machine, while the rest of the part hangs out or over the sides.

Shops with robotic machining cells can work on whole parts in single setups because the cells do not have exactly defined work areas as machining centers do. Parts can rest on a shop floor or they can be clamped to workholding tables and, as long as the setup is within the robot's reach, they can be machined. In some instances, the robot's reach can extend to 25 ft.

The current ideal application for a robotic machining cell is one that involves large, complex parts to be machined on a 4- or 5-axis machining center that are made of soft materials such as plastics, fiberglass, carbon-fiber composites and the materials used in prototyping. However, Brooks expects to see his company's robotic machining cells being used to machine soft metals by the end of this year.

When it comes to machining metals, there are two factors that hold back most robots: accuracy and torque. Today's robots, on average, are accurate to about 0.004 in. Although most metal parts require precision machining, there are applications in which robot accuracy is acceptable, such as rough machining parts to prepare them for finish cutting on CNC machine tools.

The increased torque that robots require to machine soft metals can be had with more-powerful spindles, but robots have to be strong and rigid enough to handle those spindles, Brooks notes.

Programming Plus uses Kuka robots in its robotic machining cells, and Joe Campbell, director of strategic alliances at Kuka, says several technologies support robot machining. For instance, companies such as Kuka now build robots more mechanically stiff and rigid than they ever have been.

Tighter tolerances in gear trains reduce robot backlash, while finite element analysis and computer simulation tools have helped to remove flex from robot castings. Robots are more intelligent and display tight motion control, and builders can map their inaccuracies better than they were able to in the past.

"We now have a robot platform worthy of machining operations," says Campbell, "It may not sound like much, but considering the mass of a machine tool as compared with that of a robot, today's robots are quite rigid and strong."

Kuka offers a handful of robots for machining, including its KR60-HA, KR210 and KR240 models. The KR60s are currently Kuka's most accurate robots because they feature matched gear sets and other assembly-process techniques that calibrate them for high accuracy. Campbell explains that there is a tradeoff between the material a robot removes and the level of precision it can hold when machining hard materials. A shop that cleans mold marks and flash from die-cast motorcycle wheels, for example, might use a CNC machine tool, but that operation is perfect for robots because it requires precision and minor amounts of material removal. On the other hand, he says that cutting keyways in hard stock is not an ideal application for a robot. " Robots could not do most work that is done on machine tools. But, there are a lot of shops using CNC machines for secondary processes that robots are perfectly capable of doing," says Campbell.

KR210 and KR240 Kuka robot models handle big payloads. And, while milling spindles are not all that heavy, the robots pack ample motor power to maintain position when traveling along cutting paths. "Machine tool builders talk about spindle horsepower. We in the robot business focus on payload capabilities," Campbell says.

The Kuka robots used by Programming Plus easily carry 30- and 40-horsepower spindles. Kuka's strongest robot hefts payloads weighing up to 1,100 lbs. within its 25-ft. reach, and the company is working on even bigger models that Campbell says will open up more possibilities in material-removal applications. Other Kuka prototype models currently in testing feature low travel speeds but extremely high torque and rigidity to further enhance robotic material removal.

In machining applications, robots often use force and torque sensors that allow them to "feel" incongruence or imperfections in surfaces and remove a minimal amount of material to correct them. For example, to blend two surfaces, a robot automatically adjusts the applied torque and force to help it to avoid damaging the surface or removing too much material from the part. Force and torque sensors integrate into a robot's wrist, and the robot controller oversees their operation. Those sensors and the controller combine to allow users to specify the direction in which the robot will apply force, Campbell says.

A typical robotic machining cell consists of a robot with a 5- to 10-horsepower spindle, a covered toolchanger rack that holds 10 tools, a device for determining a loaded tool's length and a laser system that locates workpieces for easy part-to-part setups. Spindle size depends on the application.

A Programming Plus-system robot can change tools automatically. Campbell says toolchanging on the robot side is common, and the company's standard millhead toolchanger is straightforward and simple. This capability makes cell robots self-loading. They remove their milling tool, load a part into the cell, re-attach the tool and cut the part.

"The motivation we hear from customers interested in a RMC is throughput. Most CNC machine tools, unless automated, have low utilization rates, meaning their mill heads are not turning all the time because of setup time and other non-cutting activities. Our robotic machining cells, on the other hand, easily accommodate multiple parts within their work envelopes, allowing one robot to move from part to part for significant throughput at less capital investment," Campbell says.

http://www.americanmachinist.com/304/Issue/Article/False/13386/

CNC band saw has four operating modes

2008-02-07T20:55:00.001-08:00

POWER machinery has released to the shark 332 CNC FE electrohydraulic automatic band sawing machine with microprocessor, which can operate in automatic, semiautomatic, semiautomatic/dynamic or manual mode.

The 332 CNC FE electrohydraulic automatic band sawing machine.

It is a CNC machine with multi microprocessor control to manage both the length of the part to be cut as well as the cutting bow itself. It is possible to obtain as many as 32 different lots on the same bar - each of different lengths and quantities.

The 332’s numerical display has 48 characters read on 16 lines to enable the operator to visualise parameters including band speed, the number of cuts programmed and carried out, band thickness, length fed in each stroke, cutting time, amperemeter, band tensioning and general diagnostics.

The unit has a digital read out displaying band tension and an automatic adaptive shearing stress control system that automatically manages the feed rate according to the cutting load.

As a safety feature the machine will automatically shut down in case the band should stop rotating or snap.

The top and bottom of position of the bow can be quickly adjusted, according to the dimensions of the material that has to be cut - this is set with a push of a button on the control panel.

The rotating table has replaceable wear strips in the cutting zone and swings easily due to the large 420mm diameter table mounted on roller bearings.

In semi-automatic cycle, the vice closes when the motor starts, the head goes down to execute the cut, the motor stops and the head returns to position - the vice then opens. Regulation of the head stroke is easily set according to dimensions of material that has to be cut.

The semi-automatic dynamic mode is a versatile feature that allows the operator to quickly bring the blade down to the material manually, then with a click of the trigger within the handle activating the semi-automatic cycle. This allows the machine to make odd cuts without the need to program any parameters.

Automatic style has multiple programming options:

* In single cycle it carries out one only program of pieces that are the same length. Once the number of cuts set has been reached the cycle stops to separate the pieces cut in that lot and an acoustic/flashing alarm is given out.

* Continuous cycle carries out all the chosen program cuts of different lengths, on the same bar, in sequence.

* Single programming carries out a cycle that is programmed directly on the display. The utility step can be used during any cycle: it carries out the face cuts in the bar and makes the first cut and then stop so that the operator may measure the piece cut.

The control display is simple, yet comprehensive. Forty characters read on 16 lines displaying technological parameters such as band speed, number of cuts programmed and carried out, band thickness, length fed in each stroke, cutting time, amperemeter, band tensioning, diagnostics and/or caution messages. The machine can be configured in multiple languages.

The unit’s feeding system operates using a screw/nut with re-circulating balls and stepper motor.

The saw has precision stops for cuts at 0°, 45°, 60° left and 45° right.

A coolant tank sits inside the steel base with two electric pumps so it can lubricate band. As an option, the machine can be fitted or retrofitted with a motorised chip evacuator.

http://www.ferret.com.au/articles/bf/0c03dabf.asp

National Tooling and Machining Association Partners with SourceHorizon, Inc. to Form New Online Marketplace

2008-02-07T20:54:00.000-08:00

Greensboro, NC & Ft. Washington MD September 1, 2004 — The National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA) has announced that it has forged a strategic partnership with SourceHorizon, Inc., one of the nation’s leading online matchmakers between the buyers and suppliers of custom made-to-order parts.

Under the terms of the agreement, the NTMA, representing 1,800 companies and SourceHorizon have created a secure, online marketplace for manufacturing buyers to quickly identify, qualify and negotiate with custom manufacturers. The new marketplace which can be found at www.SourceNTMA.com focuses on adding value and offers a unique blend of information, technology and expertise. The site enables manufacturing buyers to access a pre-qualified supplier base, collaborate during the Request for Quote process and tap into critical services like project management and engineering support on demand. The site enables U.S. custom manufacturers access to new opportunities and other critical information which will help them become more responsive, efficient and profitable. SourceNTMA.com further distinguishes itself in its “pay-for-results” approach to supplier pricing. After a one-time registration fee, qualified suppliers pay a commission on opportunities awarded through the marketplace. NTMA member companies receive significantly discounted pricing. To participate, manufacturers must register online as a supplier, providing specifics about their business, equipment and expertise. After registering, SourceHorizon collects feedback from the supplier’s existing customer base enabling the company to leverage its existing reputation for quality and service into a powerful online marketing tool. To register, manufacturers should log on to www.SourceNTMA.com and follow the simple instructions. Buyer participation in the marketplace is free.

“Our partnership with SourceHorizon on behalf of NTMA members is consistent with our goal of helping our members expand their markets and generate new business opportunities. SourceHorizon offers a unique business-to-business marketing program that will give our members a competitive option in attracting new business in today’s globally competitive marketplace,” said Tom Garcia, NTMA Director of Global Industry Marketing and Meetings.

SourceNTMA.com will be powered by SourceHorizon’s proprietary marketplace technology. The company owns multiple web properties including www.SourceAuthority.com which focuses on U.S. manufacturing. SourceHorizon’s principals, Perry Gathings and Brian Self, said that the new marketplace was founded on the belief that SourceNTMA.com should provide equal value to both buyers and suppliers, enabling both parties to achieve their business goals. “It is an easy and cost effective way to buy and sell services,” said Perry Gathings. “With SourceNTMA.com, suppliers have the opportunity to get exposure to manufacturing buyers at the very moment they need their services. With a ‘pay-only-for-results’ pricing model, imagine the cost-savings SourceNTMA.com can provide. Any time a manufacturer can cut basic expenses the savings go straight to the bottom line.” Self said, “Custom manufacturers who have invested in basic computer and internet technology will be able to easily participate.”

Summarizing their thoughts, Brian Self stated, “We are proud to have been selected as a strategic partner of the NTMA. We look forward to working closely with them to develop new, cost-effective tools that strengthen their members’ businesses and in turn strengthen American manufacturing.”

http://www.cncmachinesinfo.com/articles/category/cnc-tools/

HMC VIPER-grinds and mills turbine blade

2008-02-07T20:53:00.000-08:00

Makino A55 machining centre, three separate demonstrations at UK Makino agent's technology centre in Coventry, underlined the flexibility of the machine as a platform for producing components by grinding and other metal cutting operations in very few set-ups, or even one hit. Five-axis machining of a nickel alloy compressor blade involved grinding a radial dovetail root form followed by a combination of grinding and finish milling of a small-radius scallop, which the grinding wheel was unable to access. Total cycle time was 5.5 min.

Conventionally, blades are first ground and then set up for a second operation on a machining centre.

Savings in handling, fixturing and cycle time are considerable with the Makino solution.

The second component demonstration involved grinding the fir tree root form for a high-pressure turbine blade from solid nickel alloy in a cycle time of 3.5 min.

Normally, such components are ground from a closer-to-form forging on a dedicated grinder.

The most usual production process for this popular aerospace component is in a 'Nagare' cell comprising, say, 10 separate machines tended by five operators to clamp every part once on each machine.

On a Makino VIPER machining centre, parts generally come off complete in two operations, drastically reducing production costs.

Grinding of a radial seal slot, 2.6mm wide by 7.3mm deep over a 200mm chordal length, formed the third demonstration.

Instead of being produced in Inconel, the part was of a less expensive steel, which in this application is more challenging to grind.

Two small, aluminium oxide wheels were used, rather than traditional cubic boron nitride, one for the outside radius and another for the inside radius to achieve perpendicular groove sides.

Dressing was by NC profiling, avoiding the expense and long lead time of full-form dressing (ideal for fast-make situations).

Two-axis control of the grinding wheel plus B-axis positioning of the component achieved the required contouring of the slot.

Another aspect of this demonstration was the manual-assist loader at the front of the machine.

Components were fixtured outside the machining area and transferred with minimal effort to a zero point fixture on the table ready for machining.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/ncm/ncm166.html

Fagor automation offers CNC systems - Machine tools of Spain: European quality

2008-02-06T20:30:00.001-08:00

The most outstanding feature of FAGOR AUTOMATION's CNC systems is their operating friendliness, simple and intuitive, which gives them a competitive edge widely acknowledged by our customers. There are standard models with ISO and high level programming with the possibility of conversational programming that make them adaptable to both single-part work and long runs.

Conversational CNC's from FAGOR AUTOMATION (8055iTC/MC) may be adapted to the usual work method of a shop and have been designed to make intuitive programming easier for the operator; they have an interactive editor based on operations associated with each one of the processes that make up the machining of a part. The previous graphic simulation helps verify each operation and correct the data entered.

The system is programmed very easily. All the automatic operations have an interactive help, geometry defining area and other areas to set the machining conditions of the roughing and finishing stages with several editing levels or types of cycles with their own screen. This minimizes the preparation time; and any operator, without previous programming knowledge, can operate the CNC and carry out typical operations efficiently.

Its intelligent profile editor, similar to an integrated mini CAD, helps create profiles without the need for complex calculations by directly entering the values and parameters of the part, run a previous simulation and machine the part defined. If the part is too complicated, the preparation may be faster than when using an external CAD-CAM.

Telediagnosis and Setup Assistance On FAGOR AUTOMATION CNC's

FAGOR AUTOMATION has developed the Telediagnosis option to remotely control all the incidences that may occur on the machine.

Just connect the CNC with the PC of the Technical Department via the internet through a modem. This way, the technician, from his work table and at his own PC can remotely manipulate and observe the system status (CNC-drives-motors). This functionality may be used to detect PLC program errors, do a setup, or change parameters (CNC, motors mad drives), saving in travel expenses and labor of the technicians and minimizing machine down time by receiving assistance and error diagnosis immediately.

In order to facilitate the setup, it offers assistance such as the oscilloscope function and the circular geometry test.

The Oscilloscope function shows the response of the axes in time. With this feature, the signals may be seen directly at the CNC. (variables of regulation, path, feedback, etc.) without requiring external devices to check the status and facilitate the adjustments of the machine. The advantage of this feature is that the setup and the troubleshooting of incidences are faster and the diagnosis easier (even remotely) because the signals generated by the oscilloscope may be sent by fax or email.

The Circular Geometry Test may be used to cheek the behavior of the axes when doing a circle by enlarging the measuring errors of the axes. This function helps detect mechanical misadjustments and check the performance of the electronic equipment quickly while saving on additional devices.

http://cnc-info.blogspot.com/2007/01/fagor-automation-offers-cnc-systems.html

What is a CNC Machine

2008-02-06T20:29:00.003-08:00

Probes improve CNC machining cycle times

2008-02-06T20:29:00.001-08:00

Trade old machine tools for latest CNC models

2008-02-06T20:28:00.000-08:00

VISI-Series - machining STRATEGIST

2008-02-06T20:27:00.000-08:00

Configure data transfer to CNC machines

2008-02-06T20:26:00.003-08:00

In order to reduce set-up times for machine tools, EVO offers a special configuration mode for COM-Servers by Wiesemann and Theiss with its DNC-/PDM software 'CAMback'.Setting up Ethernet-based CNC file transfers for machines with a serial RS232 interface can be a time-consuming undertaking. In order to reduce setup times for machines significantly, the software producer EVO Informationssysteme has implemented a special configuration mode for COM-Servers by Wiesemann and Theiss (W and T) into its DNC-/PDM software 'CAMback'. W and T COM-Servers will be configured automatically by the DNC system using the COM-Servers' control port.
By combining CAMback with W and T COM-Servers, reliable data transfer is ensured.
Integration of the COM-Servers happens transparently for users.
Merely the serial parameters of the connected CNC control are configured within the system.
Manually configuring the COM-Servers can be omitted.
The software is universally applicable and works with almost all common CNC machine tools.

http://cnc-info.blogspot.com/2006/11/configure-data-transfer-to-cnc.html