Product category:
Control systems, DROs, etc, for machine tools
News Release from: ACI (UK) | Subject: Machine tools
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 12 October 2004
Anilam DRO systems for Loughborough
University
RK International Machine Tools has sold a number of machines fitted with Anilam DRO systems to Loughborough University.
The recent sale by RK International Machine Tools of a number of machines fitted with Anilam DRO systems to Loughborough University illustrates how the Erith (Kent)-based machine tool specialist works closely with both its customers and its CNC/DRO partners to supply machines that are fit-for-purpose, reliable and meet users' budgets According to RK's sales director Dick Aldrich, winning the contract to supply the mix of machines - including Colchester Mascot and Student lathes, as well as Europa milling machines all fitted with Anilam Series 211 DRO systems - was based around meeting the University's stringent selection criteria of machine tool price, performance and reliability in addition to after-sales service and back-up
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 20 Sep 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Controls help make machine tools the ideal choice
South Coast precision engineering company Stubbington Engineering has invested in CNC bed milling and turning technology as part of a machine update programme
DRO systems for Loughborough university
RK International Machine Tools has sold machines fitted with Anilam DRO systems to Loughborough University that aresaid to be fit-for-purpose, reliable and meet users budgets.
"A key requirement for this contract, like all others, was that the machines must be reliable and accurate," he says.
"That obviously depends as much on the control technology as it does on machine construction, and while certain customers do show a preference for a certain control system - often based on operator familiarity, the type of work being tackled and general machine shop husbandry - others do not.
"In these cases we work closely with customers to determine the best choice - which is usually dependent upon accuracy requirements." In the case of the machines supplied to Loughborough University, the choice of the one-/three-axis Anilam 211 DROs with accompanying precision glass scale linear encoders (as standard supplied with resolutions from five microns to 0.5 micron, depending on application), both RK and Loughborough recognise that Anilam's use of 'smart' technology means that high levels of performance and power are inherent features of the system.
These developments are headed up by the EverTrack absolute reference system that enables the DRO to always know its position in absolute terms.
EverTrack always keeps track of the position - even if the power is interrupted - and so eliminates the need for awkward battery back-up solutions.
"RK is certainly unbiased when recommending DRO types," adds Dick Aldrich, "and having seen exactly how Anilam scales are manufactured - including the application of the seal technology to prevent the ingress of coolant and swarf - RK has no hesitation in recommending Anilam encoders for their reliability and accuracy.".
• ACI (UK): contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Manufacturingtalk email newsletter
• Manufacturingtalk Home Page
