Product category:
EDM diesinking
News Release from: Charmilles Technologies Corporation | Subject: Roboform 55P EDM and Roboform 35 QCRi EDM cell
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 21 November 2002
Latest EDM acquisitions boost toolmaking
status
Having made an investment in rapid product development during Y2K, Cheviot Precision has increased its production capabilities in acquiring palletising equipment and latest EDM diesinkers.
Having made an investment in rapid product development during Y2K, Cheviot Precision has increased its production capabilities in acquiring an Erowa 3D preset station, a Charmilles Roboform 55P and the first Roboform 35 QCRi to be installed in the UK The addition of the 3D preset station will allow Cheviot to set the work off-line and palletise the work, whilst the Roboform 55P and robotised Roboform 35 QCRi is part of a planned investment in the EDM cell, aimed at reducing product time to market
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 22 Mar 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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In launching its revolutionary 'twin wire' Robofil 2030SI-TW, Charmilles has designed a system that allows machining with two different wires in automatic mode and cuts production times by 30%.
Operating from 17,000sq.ft of modern premises, Cheviot offers the complete one stop injection mould tool shop to meet the needs of today's project engineers and buyers.
A 'blue chip' client base in the telecommunications, white goods and automotive sectors is served by a vastly experienced team of tool designers and toolmaker's, guaranteeing a smooth and professional approach from initial contact through to the on-time delivery of production tooling.
Experienced designer/programmers utilise the latest technology.
Further reading
EDM generator achieves cutting speed of 400mm2/m
Achieving a cutting speed of 400mm2/min, believed to be for the first time in the world, the generators fitted to the latest wire EDMs use a new current pulse shape.
Award for toolmaker thanks to CNC investment
Toolmaker Avenue Mould now has two Charmilles Roboform 20 CNC spark eroders, fitted with Erowa tooling, and an automated Roboform 35 fitted with Erowa's PX robot
Subcontract engineer expands wire erosion facility
Subcontract engineering company Bedestone is continually expanding its operations and has increased its wire erosion capacity, investing in the latest technology from Charmilles Technologies
Ten CAD/CAM seats see all forms of electronic media accepted creating 2D and 3D solid modelling with toolpaths DNC linked directly to the machine tool.
"Regardless of the systems we have here - we are capable of accepting electronic data in any form - the biggest problem we experience is in the information we receive." stated Managing Director, Ken Hunter.
"There is a lot of time lost because the files contain untrimmed data.
However, depending on the complexity, it is our aim to produce a prototype tool in aluminium or P20 within four weeks." continued Hunter.
"Whilst other toolmakers invest in stereolithography and other RPD methods, I believe the automation of production is the way forward.
We are committed to continuous investment in the latest technology and the addition of the Erowa preset station and Charmilles robotised EDM centre, whilst reducing downtime and increasing our Olights out' production capabilities, is a testimony to our commitment to continuous investment in automated production." added Hunter.
By integrating the new QCRi (Quick Change Robot) with the new Roboform 35P and tooling systems, the otherwise unproductive nighttime hours and weekends can now be fully utilised to make EDM machines more productive and competitive.
A significant boost in productivity is delivered by Charmilles Technologies' new QCRi allowing up to 6,000 hours of effective uninterrupted machining per year to be achieved.
In addition, an Auto-restart feature allows the Quick Change Robot to resume machining operations in the event of tool change over during power failure.
Designed to provide for rack loading during machining, the QCRi drastically reduces change-over times.
With a double gripper system integrated into the robot arm, the QCRi drastically reduces the change-over time for pallets as well as electrodes and drains the dielectric from the workpiece.
Since dielectric levels are set automatically as dictated by the drop tank, the QCRi allows a change to any kind of workpiece without manual intervention.
The possibility of matching electrode and pallet rack configuration with the type of production delivers a decisive advantage when flexibility is essential.
With 1 standard and 2 optional configurations available to them, operators can choose to suit the number and dimensions of electrodes (up to 90) as well as the number of pallets (up to 8 with dimensions of 320 x 320mm), regardless of tooling system used.
Dedicated configurations are available to satisfy special customer requirements.
Cheviots also added a Bostomatic High Speed Milling centre in February to its milling capacity, increasing the company's ability to produce electrodes to feed the expanding EDM Cell.
Where EDM is concerned, the Charmilles Roboform 35 QCRi and Roboform 55P die sinker, complemented with Erowa tooling, is an important addition to a line of Charmilles Roboform 20s at the Tyne and Wear-based company.
"We pride ourselves on making a tool as good as anyone in the world, but it's how you get there.
From the business development, through the management structure, to the end product.
It's having that discipline and system in place, and investing in the best technology.
Automation of both the milling and EDM cell is a step further towards achieving World Class status, and although it might take us two or three years to get there, I am dedicated to achieving the status." concluded, Ken Hunter.
(This was Manufacturingtalk's Top Story on 20 November 2002).
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