Product category:
Control systems, DROs, etc, for machine tools
News Release from: Heidenhain (GB) | Subject: Digital read-outs - bevel gear cutting machines
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 01 December 2006
DRO cuts bevel gear cutting set-up times
Retrofitted DROs to Gleason bevel gear cutting machines for setting up to six axes has reduced set-up times considerably.
Having previously been advised that it was not possible to fit digital readouts to its Gleason Bevel Gear cutting machines, Smiths Aerospace of Wolverhampton, UK, was pleasantly surprised when it called Heidenhain specialist DRO retrofitter IMEK Precision Following an inspection of the machines by Mike Perkins, IMEK's managing director, Smiths Aerospace was advised that it was possible to retrofit a DRO to the existing machines in its Wolverhampton manufacturing plant
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 26 Jun 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Machine tool probe has +/-1 micron accuracy
Heidenhain's TS 740 workpiece probe for machine tool use has a probing accuracy of andle;+/-1 micron, making it one of the most accurate 3D touch probes available.
Machine touch probe measures rotary axes
Working with Heidenhain's iTNC 530 CNC, an optional software function called KinematicsOpt allows a spindle-mounted touch probe to measure rotary axes.
The eventual solution was due to a combination of Perkins' 20 years experience in the DRO and encoder business and IMEK's long-standing and successful association with Heidenhain and knowledge of its extensive product range.
The requirement was driven by Smiths Aerospace's desire to reduce set-up times.
Alex Phelps of Smiths Aerospace highlighted the problem: "Set-up of bevel gear cutters has always been time consuming and involves setting up to six axes, including rotary axes, linear axes and axes that move in an arc.
Further reading
Linear encoders improve machine tool accuracy
Heidenhain has said that machine tools not fitted with linear encoders for positioning may not be accurate enough for the increasingly high performance demands made upon them.
CNCs benefit machining of turbine components
Machining system manufacturer has fitted the latest CNCs to EDM and laser machine tools to high precision drill cooling holes in aerospace engine turbine components.
Even with experienced operator/setters, set up times could often be up to two days." The solution provided by IMEK was to make use of Heidenhain's POSITIP 888 multi-axis display in conjunction with a mix of rotary and linear encoders.
Linear and rotary encoders were fitted to the top and bottom offsets, top and bottom space angles, cutter cones, and root angle.
"The non-linear motion between machine elements of the top and bottom space angles required a unique mounting solution that involved mounting linear encoders free to move about a fixed pivot point," said Perkins.
"This was combined with the scaling capabilities within the Heidenhain POSITIP 888 display to provide repeatable setting capabilities." A second Heidenhain readout, an ND780, aids the setting of the root angle and depth.
"It took a great deal of understanding of the application and machine movements to come up with this solution," said Perkins.
"Our experience in dealing with this type of application and our highly experienced engineers puts IMEK in a unique position in being able to tackle non-standard machine retrofits." Following the success of the first installation a further two machines at Smiths Aerospace have received the same upgrade.
Furthermore, the word is now spreading and other end-users are commissioning similar retrofits, along with orders from Gleason itself to fit the system to brand-new machines.
A combination of linear and radial axes posed a particular problem that was overcome thanks to the vast experience of IMEK's Perkins and the scaling capabilities of the Heidenhain DRO. Request a free brochure from Heidenhain (GB) ...
• Heidenhain (GB): contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Manufacturingtalk email newsletter
• Manufacturingtalk Home Page
