Product category:
Software, off-line programming, CAM, for metal cutting machine tools
News Release from: Anca Pty | Subject: TX7+ machine and customised software
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 08 July 2004
Customised software speeds knee joint
machining
Machine and customised software is making significant contributions in quality and productivity to the dynamic and rapid global growth in the field of artificial knee joints.
ANCA machines designed and manufactured in Australia are making significant contributions to the dynamic and rapid global growth within the medical equipment industry, particularly in the field of orthopaedics This was never more evident than in the production of artificial knee joints using ANCA's TX7+ machine and customised software
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 29 May 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Is CNC tooland cutter grinding for you? - read on
The purpose of this paper is to attempt to give a better understanding of CNC tool grinding, the advantages of CNC ground tools, case histories of actual usage its benefits and its justification.
Compact tool and cutter grinder produces miracles
Launched at Grind Tec, in Germany, a compact CNC tool grinder has the power, strength and working envelope usually attributed to a much larger machine.
ANCA's values of precision, versatility, confidence and productivity are clearly demonstrated in the process of design and development of this solution.
Winning combination of software and hardware - the larger objective for ANCA was in meeting the needs for manufacturing components with complex shaped surfaces on a tool and cutter grinder using multi axis interpolation.
Current production methods have long setup times with wheel changeovers of large diameter wheels, and small batch sizes requiring more changeovers per shift.
Further reading
CNC grinder completely machines taps from blanks
A novel CNC tap grinding machine allows highly efficient manufacturing of taps from a blank to a finished product and all grinding operations including threading are performed in one set-up.
Grinding process increases twist drill output
Using up to six grinding wheels and integrated wheel dressing in one rigid machine tool avoids multiple handling between grinding processes when producing high speed steel drills.
The ANCA TX7+ offers many advantages including smaller wheels, shorter setups, and increased flexibility due to more axes and multiple wheels.
A special software interface was used to allow complex CAD drawn component profiles to be imported and used to generate multiple grinding paths.
Most manufacturers currently use heavy electroplated grinding wheels that do not offer the optimum grinding conditions and cannot be dressed on their current production machines.
The TX7+ offers importing of wheel profiles straight from CAD, and then in process profile dressing to maintain wheel form and optimized grinding conditions.
A wheel changer allows two wheel packs to be used, enabling roughing and finishing with separate wheels.
ANCA has also incorporated into the cycle the removal of the casting's 'tie bars', which are currently removed by hand in a separate operation.
The benefits reaped by customers are enormous; reduced cycle times, easier profile data entry, cheaper wheel costs, standard wheels held in stores, the ability to manipulate wheel and tool profile easily and without having to use numerical control code for the process.
Other benefits also include combined multiple operations such as profile grinding/dressing/tie bar removal, and the ability to rough and finish with different wheel grades with auto wheel change.
About ANCA - ANCA was founded in 1974 to design and manufacture high technology Computer Numerical Controls (CNCs) for the machine tool and metal-based industries.
Today, ANCA has become a leading designer and manufacturer of complete, precision CNC tool and cutter grinding machines in a global niche market.
With its core values of precision, innovation, quality and technological excellence, ANCA is today an international organisation of more than 300 employees with a robust set of technological and entrepreneurial skills.
Offices are located in major cities in Europe, North America and Asia; with dealerships represented in over 25 countries.
ANCA continues to understand market demands and produce products and services to benefit its customers.
• Anca Pty: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Manufacturingtalk email newsletter
• Manufacturingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
