Product category:
Rotary and linear transfer machines
News Release from: Mikron Machining Technology | Subject: Multi-axis, bar-fed, rotary transfer machine
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 02 May 2007
Bar fed rotary transfer challenges CNC
automatics
A 12-station multi-axis rotary transfer machine accepts bar stock up to 60mm diameter to provide a six-face component machining capability as an alternative to CNC automatic lathes.
An important development by Swiss precision rotary transfer machine specialist Mikron Machining Technology of Agno, Switzerland will enable bar material up to 60mm diameter to be fed into the latest Mikron NRG-50, 12-station multi-axis rotary transfer machine and create a six-face component machining capability This development provides a serious production alternative to the CNC multi-spindle lathe and single spindle CNC sliding head mill/turn lathes by providing a high volume, medium and small batch production capability that will also be able to accommodate frequent changeover requirements
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 9 Oct 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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Modules and CCD speed rotary transfer design
With the new Multifast modular machining system, Mikron has revolutionised the high volume rotary transfer machine.
Rotary indexer is claimed to be world's fastest
Claiming to being the world's fastest rotary special purpose machine tool for components up to 32mm diameter, a 24-station design is able to machine up to 500 components/min.
By developing the Mikron TB-600 unit, that can be installed between the loading station of the machine and a barfeed/stocker unit, two options are now available that further enhance levels of production flexibility.
The barfeed unit can be utilised to feed directly into the collet or fixturing unit, carried on the 12 station rotary indexing table of the machine or, with the addition of the Mikron TB-600 3-axis machining unit, additional out-of-cycle operations can be performed on the bar.
With the direct bar feed connection to the Mikron NRG-50, once the material is located in the workholding fixture or collet, carried on the rotary table, it is then automatically sawn from the bar to provide a billet ready-positioned for machining with the Mikron TB-600 unit, able to create a pre-operation cycle.
Further reading
Linear transfer machines short batches quicker
Linear transfer machining system performs 5.1/2-face machining and combines simultaneous 5-axis machining with a productivity rate some 47% higher than normal machining centres.
Rotary transfer machine accuracies raised
Rotary transfer machine enables higher levels of accuracy to be met by combining production sequences into a 'single-hit' cycle for large batch, medium batches of families of components.
This enables a six-face, single cycle production scenario to be carried out where the pre-machined end face is used as the datum in the collet or fixture.
Further flexibility can be added to the pre-machining cycle by including a toolchange to the auxiliary unit to perform milling, turning, drilling and tapping, for instance.
The fully CNC controlled, up to 140-axis Mikron NRG-50, is a highly flexible and productive rotary transfer machine able to carry up to 96 tools and produce parts at rates up to 30/min with 30 tools cutting simultaneously in a single automatic cycle.
Incorporated into the machine construction are high orders of accuracy such as table indexing within +1.5 micron and with the addition of Mikron's Advanced Thermal Stabilisation Technology (ATS), any possible influence of ambient temperature is accounted for.
In-cycle processes can include 5-axis machining, multi-diameter turning, milling, spiral milling, drilling, multi-spindle and deep hole drilling, threading, broaching, in-process deburring three-axis contouring, measurement and correction as well as assembly tasks.
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