Product category:
Flexible machining cells and systems (FMS)
News Release from: Matsuura Machinery | Subject: SNK twin spindle cell
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 21 February 2005
Two high duty spindles halve cycle times
Machining cell incorporates two 37kW spindles that simultaneously work on one excavator component to effectively halve production cycle times and is flexible in work variety.
With their production facility based in Birtley, near Newcastle, established in 1985, Komatsu UK have a long established record for supporting the manufacturing based economy in the North East of England Currently employing around 700 people to manufacture their range of 18 excavator models, Komatsu UK remain one of the north east regions main employers
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 21 Jun 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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The success of their UK manufacturing operation now produces approximately 4000 excavators per year, for supply to customers on a global scale with markets in the UK, Europe, USA and North Africa To support their increasing market share in a growing market, and to continue the drive to improved production efficiencies, Komatsu UK are investing over GBP 2,500,000 in the development of their large component machining processes.
At the heart of the investment is a machining cell specifically developed for the cost effective production of excavator Revolving Frame components, from Shin Nippon Koki (SNK) in Osaka, Japan.
The cell incorporates two 37kW spindles, that simultaneously work on one component to effectively halve production cycle times.
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Stama has combined a 5-axis machining centre with a trunnion-mounted turning unit - horizontal and vertical attitudes - and which also functions as two-axis positioner for milling.
VMC adapts to long or short components
Adaptable production capability is offered by a VMC in single- and twin-spindle variants - a long X-axis table allows long parts to be machined, or parts can be machined in 'pendelum' fashion.
The cell holds up to ten different component fixtures in two automated fixture stocker units.
The fixtures can then be automatically exchanged and loaded into the machine quickly and efficiently, to enable production to be switched between excavator models for batches as small as 1 unit, that can be matched to support the flexible nature of the excavator assembly lines.
Komatsu UK selected Matsuura Machinery, who are UK agents for SNK, to supply the machining cell as part of a complete turnkey package which includes foundation construction and fixture manufacture, as well as the usual machine and process engineering related aspects of the investment.
Matsuura's experience and ability to efficiently Project Manage the whole process installation, whilst fully integrating with Komatsu's own project and engineering teams, secured the business against strong competition.
The proven design of the machining cell, combined with the process efficiency capabilities of the production solution and SNK support infrastructure provided by Matsuura in the UK, will allow Komatsu UK to increase production rates within its UK facility, whilst also improving component quality and reducing production costs.
This investment represents a significant commitment from Komatsu to support and strengthen its long term future as a major manufacturing employer in the North East of England.
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