Rotary transfer machines are flexible and fast

Following an agreement with Mori Seiki, Japan, Fredk. Fredk. Pollard and Co will be offering a new series of fast rotary transfer machines. They will use the Mori Seiki FM 3-axis modules.

:Following an agreement with Mori Seiki, Japan, Fredk.

Pollard and Co will be offering a new series of rotary transfer machines.

These will incorporating the Mori Seiki FM Series of three-axis, transfer line machining modules.

The Mori Seiki FM modules were originally designed for linear transfer machines.

: Following an agreement with Mori Seiki, Japan, Fredk.

Pollard and Co announced at the Bi-Mu show, Milan, Italy, that it will be offering a new series of rotary transfer machines.

These will incorporate the Mori Seiki FM Series of three-axis, transfer line machining modules.

The Mori Seiki FM modules were originally designed for linear transfer machines.

"We consider that transfer lines are slow when compared with systems based on rotary transfer machines, " said deputy managing director, Simon Pollard.

"We evaluated the FM modules for fitting around our indexer units, they fitted very well, so we entered into more detailed discussions with Mori Seiki who gave us full support for our concept." Called Flexidial, these rotary transfer machines will be marketed world-wide through selected Mori Seiki and Pollard1s own dealers.

Until now, Fredk.

Pollard had produced its own rotary transfer machines for the UK market and for limited exports overseas, said deputy managing director Simon Pollard.

Typically, three to six FM units can be fitted around a four-station indexer (up to two modules per station) and will be able to work four to five faces of a component.

Each work station can be equipped with positioning modules for " +2 axis of " -5 continuous axis CNC machining.

The FM modules can be fitted with a 1s indexing time, multi-station turret head for volume or large batch production work or as a single spindle unit with toolchanger and tool magazine for medium and small batches.

Tool change time will be 2-4 sec.

In principle, the basic offer is a standard modular design which will reduce lead times from order to delivery.

"The only special ingredients will be workholding equipment, some tooling and software,ý said Pollard.

3We will have access to Mori Seiki1s huge research and development resources.

In ordering the modules, we simply send our specification to Japan and they will supply them." The concept is aimed at a wide spectrum of batch and volume production needs in the automotive industry and suppliers.

The deal with Mori Seiki saves development costs for Pollard and will allow the company to configure, build and ship a turnkey system within six months of order.

Fredk.

Pollard1s own extensive special purpose machining experience concerns rotary transfer and linear transfer and shuttle-feed machines.

These have been developed continually to machine a variety of steels and alloys.

For example, pre-hardened steels of up to HRC60-65 can be managed.

The company has also engineered and tooled up a large number of cells and systems based on Mori Seiki CNC machines.

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