Product category:
Flexible machining cells and systems (FMS)
News Release from: Heller Machine Tools | Subject: Pallet handling for machining centre FMS
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 21 July 2004
Builder demonstates M-C pallet
management system
Machining centre builder has installed an automatic pallet management system to demonstrate how to achieve efficiency, productivity and improve bottom line margins.
Following up on the UK's MACH 2004 machine tool show success Fastems has installed an FMS system at Heller's factory in Redditch, West Midlands The fully functional Fastems is interfaced to a Heller MCi 16 horizontal machining centre
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 27 Feb 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
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Geoff Lloyd, MD of Heller, said "We have jointly installed the Fastems system so that our customers can see the system in action and gain a clear picture of how it can help them achieve efficiency, productivity and improve bottom line margins.
Potential customers who did not visit the MACH 2004 show are keen to see the system in action together with a 'second look' requested from many show visitors.
"Selling machine tools is essentially about supporting the customer, given that the machine has the capability and accuracy required.
There are many items on view at Heller Redditch - engineering support prior to purchase, fixture design and manufacture, service and assistance once a machine has been installed and, productivity aids such as the Fastems FMS.
We pride ourselves on the high standard of the service we provide and consider demonstrating this FMS just another aspect of it".
The Fastems FMS allows a wide range of different but similar components to be handled quickly and efficiently: the fixtures are controlled by software integrated by Heller into the machine control so that the relevant pallets can be summoned to the machine automatically.
The MCi 16 machines are ideally suited to applications such as this because they offer fast, accurate production due to the rapid traverse rates (90m/min), minimal chip-to-chip times (1.8sec) and quick pallet change times (9sec).
An example of a Fastems installation by Heller is at Precimax at Corsham, where the FMS was installed on two MC 16 horizontal machining centres.
The system was selected to reduce floor space and reduce unit manufacturing time.
Two Heller machines interfaced to the Fastems replaced four, pallet-pool machines.
Productivity results were instant.
The number of spindles and the space occupied has halved but, production output from the FMS is well in excess of the replaced four machines.
"For our customers to readily appreciate the advantages of a Heller/Fastems FMS it is essential that they see a functioning system" Lloyd said.
"We have installed the system to meet that requirement and it is on show during August, September and October 2004". Request a free brochure from Heller Machine Tools ...
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