Product category:
5-axis (3+2 axes and continuous path) machining centres
News Release from: DMG (UK) | Subject: DMU80P hi-dyn machining centre
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 03 August 2001
Five axis machining centre speeds moulds
to market
Installing a five-axis Deckel Maho machining centre proved an immediate success for mould maker and precision engineer, A F Gaskin.
Installing a five-axis Deckel Maho machining centre proved an immediate success for mould maker and precision engineer, A F Gaskin Within 10 days of installation the DMU80P hi-dyn, with NC rotary table, was cutting a 3D core in fully hardened (52HRC) H13 tool steel
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 21 Jun 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Dies milled dry at high speeds
The new DMC 65 V vertical machining centre applies high-speed cutting, dry machining and universal application in die making and series production with high dynamics and precision.
CNC miller-drillers cut 20% off machining times
With the highly productive DMU 50 / 70 eVolution, DMG has added a new dimension to universal milling and drilling machines designed to save up to 20% on machining times.
A F Gaskin's customers operate in fiercely competitive international markets (including F1) and measure performance on ability to deliver quality products in the shortest possible time.
With increasing pressure on lead times the company realised it needed the speed and efficiency advantages offered with five-sided machining.
Although the DMU80P is capable of simultaneous five-axis operation using the b-axis, experience cutting 3D cores using three-axis machines taught the production team that five-sided machining would offer the productivity edge they were looking for.
Further reading
Gildemeister lathe programme covers all
The lathe programme run by the GILDEMEISTER group has now become so extensive that there really is no machining job any more that these machines cannot do.
Conventional lathe has digital drives
The world innovation - the NEF 320 K - a conventional lathe with navigator system rounds off successful NEF product line.
Bar feeder has high capacity
SACO's new bar feeder reduces idle times and offers high precision and flexibility. Idle time for bar feeding to the collet is considerably reduced.
"We need this technology to produce the tools our customers require," says Production and Quality Director David Gaskin.
"It is essential to the long term future of the business." The flexibility of the DMU80P when combined with appropriate CAM software enables users to examine new machining strategies to maximise productivity.
Ray Gibbs, Production Manager, explains further: "Since there are no time or quality penalties in repositioning the work, we are also be able to exploit the advantages of machining using multiple work planes.
Using Delcam software we can look at a job and work out how it can be positioned in such a way that we maximise tool access.
The result has been that we can machine the surface in areas that would previously have been impossible to economically access and difficult surfaces that needed long series cutters are now simple.
Easier access is allowing us to use shorter tools resulting in improved surface finish and a reduction in the number of post machining operations including EDM." David Gaskin continues: "If we don't have to use the EDM machine, we don't have to produce an electrode first and it saves a lot of time and money, therefore, the more we can machine in one hit the better." In future the company also plans to gun drilling water holes, in the same set up as machining the 3D form to further improve productivity and increase the value added on the machine.
Ray Gibbs was also keen to highlight another real benefit of five sided machining with the DMU80P hi-dyn that was not part of the original purchasing decision but has become apparent with use.
Even though they were operating at a higher work rate, using faster speeds and feeds, the increase in productivity was accompanied by improved tool life.
Gibbs' explanation is that since it is now possible to maintain a constant point of contact they were also avoiding the bottom of the cutter and risk of burning it out.
"Finding the right machine took a long time," says David Gaskin, "we were looking for a five axis machine able to extend our capability and expand our capacity, but at a price we could afford.
After 18 months searching, we knew as soon as we saw the machines (in Germany) that the DMU 80P Hi-dyn offered the features we were looking for.
It had an 800x800x700mm working envelope, fast rapids, easy access and it could handle the weight required.
Finally we were able to install a complete cell, including shrink fit tooling and extra software, for GBP230,000." "In short this machine will bring more value into the company by expanding the type and size of work now possible within the workshop." concludes David Gaskin.
• DMG (UK): 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
