Product category:
Probes, sensors, tool detection for machine tools
News Release from: NCMT | Subject: BIG Daishowa manually operated touch probes, MACH
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 08 February 2008
Measuring probes set tools, measure
parts
CNC machine tool manually operated measuring probes will be introduced for tool length setting, datuming and component measurement at MACH 2008.
Better known for its high precision toolholders and a select range of cutting tools, the Japanese manufacturer BIG Daishowa has introduced a series of manually operated touch probes for tool length setting, datuming and component measurement on machine tools They will be launched at MACH 2008 on the stand of UK agent, NCMT
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 22 May 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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Representative products from BIG Daishowa's traditional ranges will also be on show, such as the innovative cutting tool, FullCut end mill, which is now capable of ramping; and C-Cutter chamfering tools including a Mini version for machining bores down to 2 mm diameter.
On show also will be a representative selection of chucks featuring the BIG Plus face-and-taper dual contact back end, which is compatible with standard BT and equivalent tapers as well.
Various HSK taper toolholding products and BIG Coromant Capto turning tools for static and driven applications will also be in evidence.
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* Tool setting - the 'Compact Sensor Series' of battery-powered, tool length setting probes from BIG Daishowa are positioned by the operator winding handles or jogging the axes manually.
There is no direct feedback of data to the control.
When a tool touches the top of a length-setting device, an LED illuminates and the position is read by the operator from the CNC system or digital readout (DRO).
Offset data is subsequently entered by hand into the control.
Base Master is the entry-level instrument for tool length measurement.
The sensor height is 50mm, accurate to within 5 micron, and a 3mm stroke is provided for positioning the tool on the top plate.
When an electrical circuit is completed, the LED lights and the operator uses the fine jog control to back the tool off to determine the exact position at which the circuit is just completed.
Flicker avoidance circuitry allows this to take place to an accuracy of +/-1 micron.
For applications where an electrical circuit cannot be made, for example if a ceramic tip or an air bearing spindle is being used, the Base Master Gold sensor comes with an integrated contact switch as well as an LED to measure cutting edge offsets precisely.
Base Master Micro has a light pressure (0.3N) spring and 1mm stroke to measure offsets on very small tools down to 0.05mm diameter.
NCMT informed manufacturingtalk.com that it avoids potential damage to such tools by the less sensitive, 3N spring in the other sensors.
This model is suitable for all materials, both conductive and non-conductive.
So too is BIG Daishowa's 100 mm high, 5 mm stroke Tool Master, intended for users that prefer a touch sensor with an integral dial gauge and audible warning of proximity of the tool on approach.
In contrast with other manual methods of tool length setting using height gauges or slip gauges, operation of BIG Daishowa's Compact Sensors is safely carried out with the machine tool guards closed.
* Workpiece probing and measurement - for workpiece datuming before machining and for measuring features afterwards, before the part leaves the machining area, the new 'Point Master Series' of probes is available.
Mounted in the machine spindle, it is positioned manually by winding or jogging the X, Y, and Z axes and is repeatable to within +/-1 micron.
Positions are recorded when the stylus contacts the workpiece by the operator reading the values from the CNC or DRO.
Measurements are then calculated manually, taking into account the 6mm (optionally 4, 3, 2 or 1mm) diameter of the stylus ball.
Model PMG has either a cylindrical or Morse taper shank and comes in a range of lengths and diameters.
Stylus over-travel is +/-12 mm in X and Y, 5mm in Z.
Battery powered and equipped with an LED, this is the measuring probe equivalent of the Base Master tool length setting sensor, suitable for conductive tools, workpieces and machines.
The ability to select BT 40 or 50 tapers or a cylindrical shank defines the PMC series, which has the added feature of a proximity buzzer.
Lastly, Point Master Pro (PMP) is the equivalent of the Base Master Gold, incorporating a switch that allows measurements when any of the elements are non-conductive and an electrical circuit cannot be made.
BT 30, 40 and 50 variants are available as well as an HSK-A63 shank.
* Deburring tools - under an agency agreement with another Japanese tooling manufacturer, Xebec, NCMT will show a range of spindle tooling for deburring.
The high-precision, abrasive tools are made from aluminium oxide (alumina) and are suitable for mounting on static platforms such as machining centres and drilling machines as well as on industrial robots and even hand-held power tools.
The deburring tools comprise rods consisting of 1,000 alumina fibre filaments measuring just 10 micron across.
Fibres are available in two grades, course and fine, and tools may be from 6-100mm in diameter.
The self-sharpening cutting action is on the tip only, there being no abrasive effect on the sides of the rods.
Dozens or hundreds of parallel rods go to make up a hollow, cylindrical tool rather like an elongated cup.
The rods are prevented from unduly splaying under centrifugal force by a metal sleeve whose ID is approximately the same as the OD of the tool.
Only a short length of the fibre rods protrudes at any given time from the end of the sleeve, which is retracted by hand occasionally to compensate for rod wear.
Periodic offsets also have to be entered into the machine tool control.
Xebec has found a way of growing the fibres radially to form a stone-like tool similar to a mounted point, but with considerably better longevity and controllability when machining.
Available in diameters from 3-20 mm, they are called Cross-Hole Deburring Tools, as this is deemed to be their primary application.
They have a flexible shaft and are intended for efficient removal of burrs with a base thickness of 0.2mm or less.
There is also a solid brush version for finer burrs of under 0.1mm diameter.
NCMT at MACH 2008, NEC, Birmingham, UK, Apil 21-25, Hall 5, Stand 5108. Request a free brochure from NCMT ...
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