Product category:
Vertical machining centres (VMC)
News Release from: Hurco Europe | Subject: Ultimax CNC system
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 10 September 2002
Machining centre operators compare CNCs
When asked to compare CNC systems, a mould maker's machining centre operator favoured systems that simplify shopfloor programming with interactive question-and-answer routines.
Scunthorpe-based Micron Moulds is best known for its multi-impression plastics injection moulds for the caps and closures industry, typically 48, 64 and 96 impression stack moulds Hurco has supplied nearly all of the vertical machining centres on site - a total of six - a notable feature being the Ultimax CNC system that simplifies shop floor programming
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 5 Feb 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Hurco increases machining centre size
Hurco has introduced a larger vertical-spindle, 3- to 5-axis machining centre suited in particular to mould and die manufacture, aerospace components, job shop applications and short-run production.
One-stop EDM toolmaker buys CNC milling
An EDM toolmaker-come-general subcontractor wanting to expand into prismatic metalcutting has bought a Hurco machining centre to offer a one-stop service
Two of Micron Mould's machine operators were asked to comment on the practical application of the control and to compare it with other control systems they had used.
Andy Lambert, who works mainly with the largest Hurco VMX64 (1625 x 860 x 760mm axis travels), stressed the user-friendliness of the twin-screen Ultimax control due to the simple, interactive question-and-answer programming on the LCD touch screen.
He also likes the way a colour graphical representation of the part is created step by step on the second screen.
Further reading
Toolmaker adds on machining centres
In answer to demands for prismatic machining as well as EDM, toolmaker Forum Services purchased a Hurco 4020 HTM machining centre
Swarf management improved on Hurco's VMX M-Cs
Five vertical machining centres carrying the prefix VMX have been introduced by Hurco, four of which have considerably upgraded specifications in terms of speed and working envelope.
Subby diversifies to beat the telecomms downturn
The current uncertainty in the telecommunications industry has prompted many subcontractors to diversify their customer base to compensate for a reduction in high volume production contracts.
He said, "It's far easier and quicker to use than a well known German CNC system I also use occasionally, which needs more data to be keyed in.
I write nine out of 10 programs at the machine and they are not as long as the equivalent routines produced using the other control." Admittedly some programs are fairly simple, such as the P20 steel manifold plate that was being machined on the day, designed to keep an 8-impression mould tool at a constant temperature during production of a Mother's Day perfume bottle top.
Cut dry at 2,300 rev/min and 1m/min feed rate using a 20mm ball nose milling cutter, it took 20 minutes to complete the heating element channels in the top surface and the same for the reverse.
The generous working envelope of the VMX64, which was installed in Summer 2001, has proved useful to Micron Moulds for producing large components that previously they would have had to turn away.
Examples are a spacer plate for a plastics injection press, and two 1100mm diameter aluminium wheels that form the sides of a decoiler for a coil-fed stamping press.
Mark Burgess, the second operator interviewed who was using the Hurco VMX50, spoke also of the Ultimax control's ease of use in comparison with a famous Japanese CNC system that was prevalent at his previous job.
He remarked, "Whereas the latter was all G and M codes, the Hurco control prompts you to input data in plain language; and it even calculates missing cutter path sections automatically based on the points, lengths and arcs you know.
"I particularly like the cycle interrupt facility on the latest Ultimax, which allows the program to be stopped at any time to inspect a tool, for example, or to clear swarf from a hole.
The control remembers exactly where to go back to so the cycle can resume with minimum delay." The VMX50 (1270 x 660 x 610mm axis travels) is Micron Mould's newest machining centre, having been installed in February 2002, and tends to be used for a lot of finishing work on plates.
The job on the machine at the time, however, was a small EN30B heel block, part of a mould locking mechanism.
The 1.5 hour cycle involved machining to tolerances as tight as +/-20 microns.
Mark Burgess also pointed out the ease of portability of programs between all the Hurco machines on the shop floor, not only with the VMX64 but also with the smaller VMCs and a bed mill that are several years older.
Other features of the Ultimax control that help Andy and Mark on a daily basis include automatic feed and speed calculation based on tooling data; the ability to over-ride cutting feed rate, rapids and spindle speed; and background programming so that the next job can be prepared while the previous component is being produced. Request a free brochure from Hurco Europe ...
• Hurco Europe: 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
