PRODUCTION CELL OFFERS TURNING, MILLING, DRILLING, TAPPING, AND BORING
Partners in THINC offers the Okuma Millac 33T, featuring the THINC-OSP control, external program select capability, device net I/O, chilled ballscrews, Absolute Scales, a right angled tool to drill the pin bore, and an Anybus robot loader interface. The multi-function capabilities of turning, milling, drilling, tapping, and boring make this an efficient cell for the machining of a wide range of parts from aerospace and automotive to medical in a very compact space.
Each Millac33T has a 1 x 4 m footprint with special automatic doors for easy access by an ABB robot moving between the two vertical lathes. The tool data system will tie to the Zoller tool presetter through the THINC-OSP control and is prepped with auto gauging by a Renishaw OMP-400 probe. Caron Engineering, Inc provides the AutoComp program for quick statistical process capability (SPC) and for the THINC-OSP control and Zoller presetter to communicate in real time. Sandvik Coromant and Kennametal tooling provide turning and rotating tools for the necessary machining. Kennametal ToolBoss and ISCAR Matrix tool storage cabinets manage redundant and necessary tool replacements. A Marposs quicksetter will be used to monitor part size for accuracy. The Exact Boss MRP system will show factory process flow and capture production times, material costs, operational flow and other real time data.
Kennametal has engineered innovative products and techniques for nearly 70 years. Many of these products serve as workhorses in their industries to this day. The Millac33T cell features Kennametal tooling as well as a choice of using the Kennametal ToolBoss tool management system.
An ABB six-axis robot (model IRB1600-51/2) has been integrated into the twin Millac-33T cell by Gosiger Automation. The robot, in an inverted mount configuration between the two machines, accesses the workpieces through the Millacs? side automatic loading doors. Other peripheral considerations complete the robot-related portion of the cell including two, 4 ft X 6 in belt type accumulation conveyors for inbound and outbound parts, a machine interface panel, perimeter guarding, an interlocked access door, and a robot-side I/O interface to the Millac(s).
As the world’s leading manufacturer of cutting tools for the metalworking industry, Sandvik Coromant offers more than 25,000 products, providing excellent an excellent partnership for Partners in THINC. With 100 years of experience, Shell Lubricants and Coolants provides water-miscible metalworking fluids that can lead to extending tool life, maintaining high surface finishes, reduction of fluid change-outs and disposal, decrease chance of bacteria/fungus formation, minimize dermatitis and reduce overall downtime and operating costs.
The Renishaw OMP400 used on the Millac 33T cell is an ultra compact probe, ideally suited to small to medium machining centers. It combines the miniaturization of the highly successful OMP40 probe with new advances in strain gauge technology, pioneered by Renishaw’s high accuracy MP700 probe. Strain gauges attached to the structure measure the smallest of stylus motions, allowing for a very sensitive system. The innovative RENGAGE? technology built into the OMP400 brings unrivalled performance in terms of 3D measurement. Use OMP400 with Renishaw OMV for advanced on-machine verification when machining contoured surfaces and complex shapes. The OMP400 sets new standards for reliability and, sealed to IPX8, OMP400 is designed to resist the harshest machine conditions.
The ISCAR MATRIX is your total management system to control inventory, streamline purchasing and drive down costs for small organizations to large enterprises. MATRIX combines the most innovative automated tool dispenser with MATRIX-TM, powerful management software. Access to an item stored in MATRIX’s locked bins is electronically controlled by the management software according to pre-defined authorizations. Drawer configurations can be swapped-in/out. Add-on cabinets are connected with a click of a cable and multiple cabinets can be deployed in different locations and networked to run from one common database. This is a truly modular system with the possibility to grow as your needs change.
About the Author: "J. J." Johnson John
