Product category:
Control systems, DROs, etc, for machine tools
News Release from: Heidenhain (GB) | Subject: TS632 3-D touch probe
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 19 February 2003
Probe wins more machining utilisation on
VMC
Simply by adding a touch probe to its new vertical machining centre, Rutland Plastics realised almost another seven hours of additional machining time a week.
Simply by adding a Heidenhain touch probe to its new Bridgeport VMC 1000 vertical machining centre, Rutland Plastics has created almost another seven hours of additional machining time a week However, the route to fitting the infra-red signal transmission TS632 3-D touch probe was not the normal for the Oakham, Leicestershire-based injection moulding company, because Carl Martin, the toolroom supervisor won it at the Tooling Show in Heidenhain's prize draw
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 29 May 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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Well he did not actually win the TS632, he won a Heidenhain table mounted TT tool setting probe but had already specified one of those when the company bought the Bridgeport.
This led to a bit of negotiation and Rutland agreed to top up the difference in price between the two products and was immediately rewarded with faster set ups.
Set ups that previously took around 30 minutes using a dial gauge, were suddenly able to be completed in about five minutes and as Rutland do around 20 set ups a week on the Bridgeport, lead times have been reduced and machining capacity increased quite significantly.
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The introduction of Heidenhain probes has had a major impact on production efficiency at the Professional Welding Services by saving between four and five hours from inspection routines.
The TS632 spindle mounted probe has the advantage of a patented contact-free optical switch which provides high stability and accuracy because it is completely wear-free.
Also, because the probe has an operating time of 250 hours, it can be utilised over long periods for the digitising of models under program control.
It will also capture workpiece datums at corners and circle centres while automatically compensating for any misalignment of the workpiece.
With the Heidenhain TNC control fitted to the Bridgeport, cycles are available for automatic measurement involving common geometrical forms such as holes, rectangular or circular pockets, slots, studs, bolt hole circles and planes.
As Carl Martin commented: "Immediately we installed the Bridgeport we began thinking about the advantages we would gain from a touch probe and winning the prize provided the final incentive.
As well as using it for setting - where it has proven to be invaluable - we can also use it for high accuracy dimensional checking on the machine whereas we would previously have to break down the set-up and load the part to our co-ordinate measuring machine." Rutland Plastics was set up in 1956 producing mouldings that ranged from plastic flowers to children's toys.
Still privately owned, it now offers wide ranging plastic injection moulding services.
Its plastic injection moulding machines range from 400kN to 17MN, have a shot weight from 38 grams to 25kg, and are able to accommodate bolster sizes up to 1500mm by 1300mm.
With its own CAD and toolmaking facilities at the 66,000ft2 site, it is able to provide clients with a 'one-stop' service embracing product development and volume production.
As well as producing mouldings, the company also offers second operation facilities and assembly services to its industry sectors which include gas and water supply, disabled persons care equipment, electronics, electrical, and agricultural equipment.
Around half of the moulding tools are produced in house of which most are multi-impression dies with cavities produced either as inserts or machined straight into the bolster.
Key to the company's success is the on-going investment in equipment which in addition to the Bridgeport includes a CNC spark erosion machine, an electronic lathe, CAD and a CNC programming system.
The 12,000 revs/min spindle on the Bridgeport allows Rutland to optimise its milling cycles and thus maximise its productivity on tool cavity machining in pre-toughened P20 grade material.
"Getting the tool settings and offsets right is critical to the effectiveness of high speed milling which is why we originally opted for the table-mounted Heidenhain TT probe when we bought the machining centre," Carl Martin remarked.
"However, the addition of a spindle mounted touch trigger probe was high on the wish list and we were delighted when the prize draw at Tooling gave us the opportu nity to acquire one sooner rather than later," he said.
Carl Martin reports that retrofitting the receiver and updating the control software to use the TS probe was also very quick.
"It took less than half a day and we were up and running and since it was commissioned, it has proved to be highly cost-effective." He concluded: "There is an obvious quality benefit to using the probe.
Once the component is on the table of the machine, we can simply touch around the perimeter.
The Heidenhain TNC control calculates the offsets and from then on the machine knows exactly where the part is. Request a free brochure from Heidenhain (GB) ...
It makes it so much easier to work around nominal dimensions and gives us the capability to maintain a high quality result more quickly.".
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