Product category:
Rotary and linear transfer machines
News Release from: Mikron Tool SA Agno | Subject: Ideo and Namco transfer machining systems
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 30 November 2007
Transfer machines take batch sizes down
to 100-off
Though associated with large batch and continuous volume production, two transfer machine designs can be changed over quickly to machine small batches down to 100-off.
Mikron Machining Technology has introduced its Ideo and Namco transfer machining systems to machine and handle complex components with awkward component geometries in difficult to machine materials These components require strict statistic quality analysis
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 11 Apr 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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This trend implies splitting production among more factory sites.
More flexibility in machining systems is also being asked for owing to the following reasons.
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* The consequent decrease of the annual quantities.
* The increasingly limited production lots.
* Production of low value-added pieces lead sub suppliers to turn to more flexible solutions with a lower investment level.
Mikron Tool SA Agno said to manufacturingtalk.com at the recent EMO 2007 exhibition in Hannover, Germany, that it had become necessary to have readily adjustable machining systems.
They have to be flexible enough to change production in a short time and versatile enough to be quickly reconfigured for new products.
Rotary transfer (dial) machining systems - Mikron Tool introduced two new product ranges, the Ideo and Namco.
The systems cover work piece size (up to 250mm), the material to machine (from steel to titanium), the lot size requirements (starting from 100 pieces) the very high production rate (up to 520 pieces/min) and the broad range of machining operations (including deep drilling and turning).
When users want a machining system having unlimited flexibility, optimum productivity and outstanding quality performance, for work pieces measuring up 250 x 250 x 250mm, made in any material and shape, Mikron Tool offers its Ideo system.
Mikron Tool calimed that its Ideo concept is novel because it offers the following features.
1 - The possibility to machine, in parallel, two different work pieces in lots of different sizes.
2 - Complete machining of the work piece, by transferring it automatically from one machining module to another.
3 - The opportunity to produce a work piece and, at the same time, to re-equip the machine for another type of work piece.
4 - Machining on the six faces of the work piece in one single clamping, owing to an exclusive clamping system of the work piece and to the free rotation of the axes A and B by 360 deg.
Ideo's four novel advantages listed above can be achieved with the use of two independent machining modules, each of which is equipped for 5-axis machining and supported by two automatic tool changers with 32 tool pockets.
* Precision - Ideo accuracy is assured by its extremely rigid and solid construction, said Mikron Tool.
The machine has a reinforced polymer cement structure, which absorbs vibrations.
Thermal compensation system also ensures accurate machining performance.
Ideo has machining spindles rated at 33kW and fast automatic tool changers (1.6s).
Mikron Machining Technology offers Ideo as a customised 'turnkey' system - including tools, CNC programs, workholding and robotised loading/unloading system - and as self-standing standard machine.
* Namco transfer systems - Mikron Tool acquired Namco SA in Caslano (Switzerland) around mid July 2007.
Namco builds two types of systems: NAD 'extremely flexible' and NAM 'extremely productive' (up to 120 parts/min).
The main features of Namco products are as follows.
* Pre-machining directly on the automatically fed, coiled wire or bar before cutting, including turning.
* Complete machining of the work piece, such as drilling, threading, milling, turning or broaching.
* High accuracy, typical of Mikron products.
* Full CNC technology using Bosch Rexroth MTX system.
* High flexibility owing to the rapid clamping replacement, and the possibility to produce various parts from one single wire and to unload the finished parts in an automatic sorting basket.
* The high productivity with a maximum of 18 CNC machining units working at the same time and double-wire feeding.
* The use of an electronic probe for extremely accurate pieces allows the measurement of the position of the premachined part and the following automatic correction of the working unit.
With the Namco transfer systems, Mikron Tool has added on systems to satisfy the machining of parts for the locks, gas, watches, optometric, medical and automotive systems.
Mikron Tool said at EMO 2007 that these two new product ranges, Ideo and Namco, are perfectly complementary with the current Mikron transfer system range - Multistar, Multifactor, Multistep and Mikron NRG-50.
Users can profit as well from the professional after-sales assistance, offered by Mikron Service Solutions and from the long-term experience and expertise of Mikron Tool in cutting tools.
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