Product category:
5-axis (3+2 axes and continuous path) machining centres
News Release from: Yamazaki Mazak UK | Subject: Variaxis 500 and 650 machining centres
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 24 September 2004
Five-axis machining centres do it in
'one hit'
To fulfil its objective of machining complex items such as suspension, transmission and engine components in 'one hit', a subcontractor has acquired five-axis twin-column machining centres.
Coventry, UK-based sub-contract machinist Kencom Engineering employs 35 people in its 20,000 ft2 facility at Henley Industrial Park, where it specialises in prototype work, typically up to 10-offs, and low to medium batch runs of production components These are mainly for the automotive industry, although ISO 9001 accredited Kencom also holds aerospace approvals
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 22 Apr 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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"We've aimed to be in the premier league from day one, so we have always targeted the most challenging work," says the company's technical director, Bob Williams.
"In the seventeen years since the company began on this site, we have proved that success ultimately depends on two things - capability and turn-round times.
So we constantly strive to improve our performance without compromising component quality and delivery dates." The objective, according to Williams, is to machine complex items such as suspension, transmission and engine components in one hit.
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Having recently introduced one of the world's most innovative ranges of new generation machine tools Yamazaki Mazak will be featuring two of its 'e' models at the MACH 2002 exhibition.
These workpieces are supplied as sand and gravity die castings, and the switch to five-axis machining coupled with a 'right first time' ethos has resulted in a significant reduction in machining times.
"Our five Variaxis machines maintain tight tolerances and can run all day long without the slightest hint of variance," says Williams.
"Another factor is the ease with which the Mazatrol Fusion controller can be re-programmed, which is crucial when dealing with prototype work." However, it is the integral high rigidity tilting/rotary table (A and C axis) that permits complex workpieces to be finish machined in one go.
Because of the nature of the work undertaken at Kencom, each of the five Mazak machines is operated independently, although Williams is committed to removing variables from the manufacturing process long before machining commences on the shopfloor.
"One example is the use of dedicated fixturing because it ensures fast set-ups and error-free operation," he says, "and we will, if necessary, produce our own fixturing.
The bottom line is that no drawings or other instructions leave my office until all the relevant tooling and fixturing is in place, the material is available and the process planning has been completed." Kencom took delivery of its first simultaneous five-axis controlled twin-column Variaxis 500 in 2002.
Its first task was to machine a die cast aluminium oil pan for a major car manufacturer and, with this in mind, the new machine was supplied with special tooling, including three milling and drilling heads.
These heads allowed access on the vertical spindle Variaxis for drilling nominally horizontal holes and milling a face at 90 degrees to two of them.
Since this first application a second 22kW Variaxis 500 has been installed, together with three 22kW Variaxis 650s.
Both models have a 40 spindle taper and are capable of a top speed as standard of 12,000 rev/min.
The smaller machines, which have X, Y and Z axis travels of 510mm by 510mm by 460mm, can accommodate workpieces weighing up to 300kg on their 500mm by 400mm tables.
The larger Variaxis 650s have X, Y and Z axis travels of 630mm by 765mm by 510mm and can accommodate up to 500kg on their 630 mm by 500 mm tables.
With a four/five-axis milling capability up to 750mm3 and a three-axis turning capability up to 47mm diameter, Kencom has no hesitation in defining its core expertise as 'a single source solution to the supply of complex machined components'.
This extends to standard and special steels, SG (Spheroidal graphite) and other cast irons, and non-ferrous materials including all aluminium, titanium, magnesium, copper and nickel based alloys.
And these days its service extends from the sourcing of castings, forgings and bar through to post machining requirements such as plating and heat treatment, as well as pre-delivery kitting, sub assembly and testing. Request a free brochure from Yamazaki Mazak UK ...
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