Grinding machine for cylindrical tools

The FX5E tool grinding package is for small- to medium-grinding of cylindrical tools. The FX5E is all-pneumatic with a pneumatic headstock and a CAM-driven pneumatic two wheel-pack changer that’s mechanically guided on a circular path. The pneumatics ensures smooth arrival and accurate positioning at its end position after each wheel-change motion.

The AR300 automatic tool loader, designed and manufactured by ANCA, has a loading and unloading cycle time of 15 seconds and enables unattended operation. An innovative feature of the FX5E is a swing table pallet design to load and unload AR300 standard pallets. The swing table is accessible directly from the operator door without needing a separate loader door.

ANCA Inc.

Double column machining center

The MCR-S high-speed, high-quality double column machining center roughs and finishes press dies in one setup and is designed for heavy-duty machining of process-intensive press dies. The rigid spindle offers 5-face and 5-axis cutting on a thermally stable machine that can efficiently and accurately machine large components. The machine’s structural design achieves fast, continuous feedrates and reduces cycle time by 25% compared to previous models.

Okuma America Corp.

Rotary index table

The speed with which someone can inspect a component using a portable, multi-axis measuring arm is increased up to 40% when placed on a Freedom rotary index table. Inspection is more efficient and it’s possible to use a smaller, less expensive arm to access all areas of a component while the effective measuring volume of any arm is increased.

Rotation may avoid having to relocate the arm to enable sufficient access to the back of the part, which would lengthen the measuring cycle and could introduce inaccuracy.

Requiring no cables, the portable, manually operated, metrology grade index table is compatible with any make of portable measuring arm. The 11.8" (300mm) or optional 19.6" (500mm) diameter table is quick to set up on a work surface, with the operator securing the part to be inspected onto the surface with the aid of pre-drilled, threaded fixing holes, or integral clamping magnets.

Initial calibration of the start position is done by telling the coordinate system software where the table is. The speed of this procedure is down to positioning of randomly placed, alphanumerically labeled, fiducial dimples machined into the top of the table and around its periphery. By probing three or more of them using the arm, the software recognizes the irregular pattern and automatically knows the orientation. Then it’s a simple matter to click the on-screen Freedom index table macro in the software to update the coordinate system and continue part inspection.

Automatic dual-column band saws

Automatic dual-column band saws with round capacities from 12" to 40" meet the demands of modern manufacturing, service centers, and fabrication.

The saws can increase production and work by continuously cutting multiple pieces of material at a time which can greatly increase the production rate. They can be programmed to make precise cuts, reducing errors and wasted material, and increasing overall production efficiency.

Cosen Saws 

Industrial robot with 6kg payload

The ZA6 robot is built to industrial standards, using EtherCAT servo motors, harmonic gear drives, and aluminum castings. It can carry a 6kg payload through a reach of 975mm with speed and repeatability. Requiring 20A of single-phase 220VAC, it can be installed almost anywhere.

The ZA6 uses Python programming language, making it easy to integrate ZA6 with other Python-driven systems. With more than 200,000 Python libraries available, most of the work required to connect the ZA6 to the outside world has already been done.

The ZA6 is powered by PathPilot, Tormach’s control software, that’s user-friendly so no expertise in industrial robotics is required for programming.

PathPilot Robot control system is built on the Robot Operating System (ROS), a popular computing platform for robotics research. Because ROS and PathPilot are open source, the ZA6 is attractive to ROS researchers or others who need code transparency or want access to low-level system variables.

Tormach Inc.

Vertical machining center

Like its smaller 4100 sibling, the SVM 5100L’s performance has been optimized to provide shorter cycle times by reducing the acceleration/deceleration times of the X-, Y-, Z-axis and spindle, minimizing non-cutting time. The 25hp (18.5kW) motor on the SVM 5100L turns the spindle at a speed of 12,000rpm, which generates 70.5ft-lb (95.5N·m) of torque. The X-axis travel is 50" (1,270mm), and Y- and Z-axis travel is 20.1" (510mm). Maximum table capacity is 1,763.7 lb (800kg) and the rapid feedrate is 1,417ipm (36m/min).

The SVM 5100L is packed with standard features including a CAT 40 BIG-PLUS spindle system, through-spindle coolant, and a double-arm automatic tool changer (ATC) with 30 tools.

A Fanuc 0i-Plus control with iHMi touchscreen interface is also included, which has AICC II and nano interpolation built in for faster, more accurate profile and finish.

High-precision miniature lead screws

A new line of miniature lead screws and nuts extends the Thomson lead screw product line to include 2mm, 3mm, and 4mm diameters.

The miniature lead screw line is available with standard or anti-backlash lead nuts to optimize positional accuracy, friction, and repeatability. The anti-backlash lead nut design reduces friction between the nut and screw threads to optimize efficiency while still eliminating play between the lead screw and nut.

Customers can specify a variety of lead options and end machining capabilities for maximum flexibility in final assembly and precision at a miniature scale, and customization options are available. For ease of mounting and integration, Thomson also offers oversized end machining options such as journals and an integrated coupler design that allows customers to mount the lead screw onto various shaft diameters without needing an additional coupling component.

Thomson Industries Inc.

High feed drilling

The PunchDrill’s design offers high-feed drilling, doubling the feed rate compared to standard drills without increasing the axial force or spindle speed. PunchDrill reduces machining forces and optimizes chip-breaking, producing cycle time savings of 50% or more when machining cast aluminum alloys with at least 7% Si content and magnesium alloys. The PunchDrill results in shorter machining times, fewer tool changes, high metal removal rates, higher productivity, and reduced power consumption.

PunchDrill features geometry with an innovative chip breaker that produces short chips to control machining forces. The drill also has newly developed surface treatments and a hard diamond-like coating designed for this application to provide reliable chip removal and increased process reliability. When PunchDrill is used at the recommended feed and speed, axial force is reduced by half. The increase of the feed at the same rotational speed results in a significant decrease of machining time with less machine wear, while retaining tool life. This in turn reduces machine power consumption.

The self-centering capability of the drill tip enables the best possible positioning accuracy on holes. PunchDrill is available in drilling depth ranges up to approximately 8xD, the nominal diameter range from 0.129" to 0.472" (3.3mm to 12.0mm). Machining is done with a normal drilling cycle on CNC machines with cutting speeds and coolant pressures similar to conventional drilling. Even on unstable parts and clamping, PunchDrill can perform with greater process reliability, and can also perform as a step tool.