Category Archives: Machine Tools

What Are CNC Rotary Tables And How Are They Used?

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CNC rotary tables are a key to automated machining. Before getting into the specifics of CNC rotary tables though, a brief discourse in the development and terminology of CNC machining will help from this point forward.

 

CNC is an acronym for Computer Numerical Control. It is the direct descendant of numerical control (NC) technology; think punch cards and magnetic tape. In turn, NC technology was invented to improve upon cam and tracer machine control in use at that time. Cam and tracer machining required construction of a template to trace and that interposed a costly, time-consuming step that had significant potential for human error.

 

Rotary Tables Defined

 

A rotary table is, as its name suggests, a table that rotates very accurately in concentric fashion around its center axis. In the high-accuracy, high-cost category of rotary tables, accuracy can mean radial runout – the amount of deviation from perfectly centered while rotating on the center axis – of 0.00004 of an inch and angular accuracy – degrees of rotation about the center axis – of 0.0002 of an inch. For the purpose of dampening vibration, the body of a rotary table is normally made of one of the “gray” iron grades. The rotating table plate is typically hardened, alloyed steel that is machined and rotary ground.

 

Purpose of CNC Rotary Tables

 

For automated machining, the entire purpose of CNC rotary tables is to provide a fourth axis. In addition to the normal axes of X, Y and Z, a CNC rotary table adds a rotational axis, known as the “W” axis, to increase machine accuracy and reduce costs. For example, using a CNC milling machine alone to make a stop sign-shaped piece would require moving the cutting tool around the piece to cut the vertical and horizontal sides and then cutting the angled sides by moving the cutting tool on a 45 degree angle as it is removing material. This requires eight machining passes. Each operation introduces a cumulative dimensional error for the sides parallel each other. Using a CNC rotary table for the same part means positioning the cutter in X or Y one time while rotating the part in 45 degree increments for each horizontal or vertical pass. Because it is cutting on only one side of the cutter in either X or Y, any machine tolerance error, tool wear and normal tool deflection from the forces of machining are reduce by half.

 

Spintop Machinery Co., Ltd. and Tanshing Accurate Industrial Co., Ltd. are professional manufacturers of rotary table, index table, and tailstock. If you are interested in learning more information about CNC rotary table or other related products, welcome to visit the website of TOPSDISK or Tanshing to obtain further details you need.

 

 

Article Source: http://www.cnc-rotarytables.com/

High Precision Taper Collet Holder Manufacturing Expert – SYIC

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The best-suited base collet holder is applicable to all the kinds of machining. This holder meets all the requirements for high speed cutting; Accuracy, rigidity, balance, and coolant.

 

Accuracy: super-precise spring collet that dramatically improves the quality of the finished surface and the operating life of the cutting tool.

 

Rigidity: thick holder and 6degree tapered collet design ensure the proper absorption of cutting vibrations.

 

Balance: pre-balanced design minimizes the vibrations resulting from high speed machining.

 

Coolant: compatible with the coolant-through features that maximizes the spindle-through features.

 

Established in 1979, Shin-Yain Industrial Co., Ltd. specializes in manufacturing high precision tool holders, cutting tools, and accessories for lathes, milling machines, CNC machining centers, mill-turn machines, etc. If you need more information about collet holders, welcome to visit our website to see what excellent products Shin-Yain can offer you.

 

 

Shin-Yain Industrial Co., Ltd.

No.198, Jingpu Rd., Qingshui Dist., Taichung City 436, Taiwan

Tel: +886-4-26237575

Fax: +886-4-26237676

E-mail: sales@syic.com

 

 

Article Source: http://www.mst-corp.co.jp/en/mc_tool/colletholder/

Accumulators and Their Capacity

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Piston accumulator is a kind of the fluid power component, and is the only one which can store the energy in hydraulic systems. The unique advantage of piston accumulators is energy storage in usually and used in emergency, it also has several functions, such as temperature compensation, leakage compensation, counter balance, shock absorption, transfer barrier, shock dampening and pulsation dampening.

 

Today even modern accumulators possess limited capacity although their parameters develop every day. Alkaline accumulators are most popular accumulators as power suppliers for portable devices. For the past 25 years the capacity of accumulators has increased 5 times (just compare: properties of electronic devices have improved in thousand times). Thus, the accumulator capacity is ultimate and limited by sizes of its case. New advanced technologies don’t increase the capacity considerably, moreover, newest scientific data does not expect significant increases in capacity among this energy sources in the nearest future.

 

Unfortunately, as long as accumulators are based on electrochemical processes, we will be limited by energy storage devices. We will have to use accumulators big in their sizes, heavy, flaky, unpredictable in operation, rather expensive and thus, with a rather short term of life. Moreover, attempts of increase in capacity, reduction of weight and sizes of accumulators have led to by-effects, such as: a shorter service life and an increased self-category, without mentioning higher working costs. The matter is that one of methods to increase the capacity of accumulators is the use of a thinner plate of a separator dividing the anode and the cathode and which collapses faster, a consequence of that is the increased self-discharge. It means that buying an accumulator with a maximum capacity, we obviously get an energy source designed for the minimum durability. Probably, some of you have ever noticed that many accumulators which were produced in the 80’s, 70’s and even in the 60’s are still in use, while those bought in the 90’s are already out of order.

 

Today developments of fuel elements (hydrogen, spirit, gas, etc.) are considered as the most perspective but they are still far from perfect and are inaccessible to ordinary consumers. Along with the improvement of energy products, modernization of power consumers takes place. Much less energy is consumed by modern electronic devices than by their predecessors. All these circumstances allow using advanced achievements of science and engineering in the field of electro-power supply for achievement of more essential results.

 

Ashun piston accumulators have three standard types, A280, B250 and C210, which are all certified by the EU Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU (MODULE H1) with quality assurance. Their accumulators can be widely used in hydraulic power units of various types of machine tools, we also serve customization, welcome to contact with Ashun Fluid Power Co., Ltd.!

 

 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3163379

Transform Grinding into a CNC-Based Technology

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In the ever-progressing world of manufacturing nothing stays the same. If you are not improving continuously you cannot stay in the game for long. This is true in all progressive mold shops that have embraced the latest in CNC technology and automation in almost all aspects of production. The exception is that row of grinders that could have time-warped from the middle of the last century.

Automation in other areas is shining a greater light on the lack of automation in grinding. Every attempt has been made to move as much out of the grinding department as possible. With great strides being made in wire EDM, high-speed machining, and hard turning and milling, the grinding department is being bankrupted, in many cases. Still, there is a need for grinding in mold shops. Every shop has a bank of grinders. There will be a row of manual grinders of the usual types and a cluster of automatics. The technology in these machines remains unchanged in its basic function and capability.

The purpose of this article is to set forth some steps that can be taken to change the grinding department into a CNC department, which is based on successes seen in a range of mold shops from small to large—but all having a need for precision grinding of mold components.

Automatic Surface Grinder Benefits

  • The operator can keep two machines running unattended.
  • Skill level is lower so most CNC operators can do these tasks.
  • Accuracy is provided by the machine.
  • Wheel management for faster, simpler setups.
  • Develop repeatable processes that are machine-based not operator-based.
  • Core requirements for the job are controlled—including wheel offset, auto-dress, simple dimensional inputs into conversations graphical screens, and grind.
  • Critical dimensions can be checked on the grinder automatically.

Six Steps to Grinding Transformation

The steps a mold shop can take to transform grinding into a CNC-based technology are:

  1. Strategically build around the correct machines.
  2. Must have a committed attitude from management.
  3. Must have a positive attitude for grinder hand to increase productivity through CNC technology.
  4. Plan to cross-train CNC operators to operate CNC surface grinders.
  5. Develop high competency at core grinding tasks like surface, slot, and step grinding.
  6. Think outside the box.

These simple tasks can be completed through the assistance of a high-precision CNC surface grinder faster and easier than through conventional manual grinding.

Article Source: http://www.moldmakingtechnology.com/articles/transform-grinding-into-a-cnc-based-technology

Factors You Must Consider When Purchasing a New VMC

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In a typical production machine shop, the processing capabilities required can vary greatly between applications: some value power and torque over rpm, others value spindle speed more than torque or power. To ensure the highest level of productivity in all cases, all of these factors must be evaluated when considering a new investment in a vertical machining center.

 

With numerous different manufacturers of vertical machining centers (VMCs) on the market today, selecting the right VMC for a production environment can be a challenging and stressful endeavor. Each machine is designed and built differently, with unique features and characteristics. The key is determining how each impacts performance.

 

In order to cut through the clutter to find the right solution, manufacturers must first learn how to effectively evaluate machine performance by understanding key differentiating characteristics. Several factors to consider during evaluation are parasitic times, cutting times, thermal control, machine construction and production support features.

 

PARASITIC TIMES

Today the average non-cut, parasitic time of a typical production machine shop consumes approximately 30 percent of the machining process. Part designs continue to grow in complexity, with a higher volume and diversity of closely spaced three-dimensional features. In order to minimize parasitic time and optimize production capabilities, evaluation of axis motion and tool-change technologies are critical in the selection of a production VMC.

 

AXIS MOTION

There are substantial differences in the axis motions of modern VMCs, even when evaluating just the top tier of machine tool manufacturers. We conducted a recent comparison test to evaluate the differences in axis rapid traverse rates of several leading VMCs that demonstrated variations as high as 41 percent. A similar evaluation was given to axis acceleration and deceleration rates, resulting in a 45 percent difference between averaged rates. The Z-axis acceleration and deceleration rates in particular, which are crucial in drilling, pocket milling and tapping operations, resulted in performance variations as high as 75 percent.

 

TOOL-CHANGE TECHNOLOGIES

The second key factor equally as crucial to parasitic time is tool change. When considering a VMC, manufacturers should examine the full tool change time from the moment the spindle stops to leave the work zone to the point at which it returns to the desired position and speed. While spec comparisons between leading VMCs might indicate minimal differences in tool-to-tool time, a true comparison that includes chip-to-chip time reveals variations as high as 18.4 percent.

 

In essence, the differences in axis motion and tool-change performance of production VMCs can have a significant impact on a manufacturer’s profitability.

 

CUTTING TIMES

Alternative to parasitic time is the actual time a vertical machining center spends cutting. With parasitic time consuming 30 percent of the machining process, the remaining 70 percent of the machine process is spent in the cut. Cutting times are generally examined by spindle capability, in which there are three primary factors to evaluate: power, torque and speed.

 

To ensure the highest level of productivity in all applications, manufacturers considering new investments in VMCs must evaluate all factors with equal importance.

 

THERMAL CONTROL

Another key factor to evaluate while selecting a vertical machining center is thermal control. Modern thermal-control technologies have made significant advancements in both the productivity and accuracy of machining centers. Some key thermal-control characteristics to consider are spindle warm-up times, spindle growth and temperatures of linear axes.

 

MACHINE CONSTRUCTION

Additional means for evaluating the accuracy of a vertical machining center would lie in the construction of the machine. Manufacturers should be wary of thin frames, structures with overhangs and unsupported components or motion. Machines with these components can face distortion, deflection, inaccuracy and vibration dampening when machining. Manufacturers should also pay attention to the weight and mass of the machine and how the machine is arranged to provide stiffness, rigidity and ultimately accuracy. If a vertical machining center is not rigid and stiff, the X-, Y- and Z-axis thrust can suffer, resulting in lower positioning accuracy and repeatability.

 

PRODUCTION SUPPORT

The last key factors for manufacturers to evaluate before investing in a vertical machining center are general production support features, which encompass chip and coolant management, ergonomics and ease of operation.

 

THE IDEAL PRODUCTION SOLUTION

By evaluating VMCs based on the factors discussed above, manufacturers can ensure the ideal solution for their production environment. Each key factor holds a tremendous impact on productivity, quality, efficiency and ultimately profitability. No two VMCs uphold the same standards, even among market leading machines. In order for manufacturers to see through the clutter, it’s important to keep in mind the factors that will make the biggest impact on their ability to compete globally.

 

If you are interested in learning more information about vertical machining centers, I can recommend you to visit the website of Victor Taichung Machinery Works. They are Taiwan professional machining center series manufacturer. Kinds of quality lathes all can be found at their company. Try to check out Victor Taichung Machinery Works product category to find machinery you need!

 

Article Source: http://www.fabricatingandmetalworking.com/2012/01/factors-you-must-consider-when-purchasing-a-new-vmc/

CNC High Speed Horizontal Machining Center Made By SIGMA Machining Centers Supplier

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SIGMA offers advance CNC high speed horizontal machining center to many great clients. Our high-speed CNC machines give you the ability to machine your parts at much faster speeds and with greater accuracy than ever possible before.

 

If you purchase our CNC high speed horizontal machining center, you could cut your machining costs by taking advantage of high speed, 4-axis CNC machining compared to conventional CNC machining. Here are 3 reasons why:

 

  1. High spindle speeds. High speed CNC machining involves using spindle speeds well in excess of typical CNC machines, usually double or triple. Faster spindle speeds mean more material removal in less time.

 

  1. High tech tooling. Higher spindle speeds can take advantage of today’s high tech tooling that lower spindle speed machines can’t.

 

  1. 4-axis rotation. Most conventional CNC machines are only 3-axis. If a part needs work done on three different sides, it requires three different set ups. On a 4-axis machine, all three sides can be machined in one set up. This saves time, reduces handling and improves repeatability.

 

High Speed Machining

SIGMA SMH series CNC High Speed Horizontal Machining Center

SMH Series CNC High Speed Horizontal Machining Center

Features:

  • High Loading Roller Type Linear Guideways for Three Axes.
  • 4th & 5th Rotary Table (Optional). By Customer Request.
  • Belt Drive type Spinlde BT-50, 4000rpm.
  • Auto Tool Changer 40pcs (Optional 60 / 80 / 120pcs). T-T Tool Change 8 sec only.

 

If you are interested in learning further specification of SIGMA’s CNC high speed horizontal machining center, welcome to visit our website to see what excellent machining centers SIGMA can offer you!

 

 

Article Source: http://www.advancecncmachining.com/high-speed-cnc-machining/

 

Lathe Chucks and Accessories – What do I need?

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When you purchased your lathe, you might not have known just what you were going to do with it or what options were available. Now that you’re gaining some experience, you’re realizing that all of those different chucks and accessories that were available could be quite beneficial for a variety of purposes. However, sifting through the mountains of different parts, chucks, and accessories can overwhelm even the most experienced and harden lathe professional.

 

What is the Difference between Chucks and Accessories?

The chuck is the part of the machine that turns, providing you the opportunity to shape the product in the precise manner that you want. Different chucks will give you different options and opportunities for working the wood or metal (and yes, or the glass). Especially for metal working lathes, chucks can determine the threading spacing for certain projects, allowing you to create the perfect thread for the parts you’re attempting to create, such as bolts, camshafts, or other projects.

 

Accessories offer a breadth of options that can be added to your lathe or used to help enhance the experience, refine the process, or open doors to new opportunities to create even more exciting products using your lathe.

 

Different Choices for Chucks

Some lathe chucks use an integral thread for mounting it to the machine. These tend to be larger machines and are not likely to be used in a residential setting or by a hobbyist. Most other lathes use a back plate for mounting the chuck, which makes it easier to replace and try different chucks for various applications.

 

You can choose from:

  • 2 Jaw chucks
  • 3 Jaw chucks
  • 4 Jaw chucks
  • 6 Jaw chucks
  • Soft Jaw chucks
  • Independent jaw chucks
  • Combination jaw chucks
  • Drawtube actuated lathe chucks

 

The 2 through 6 jaw chucks are used with scroll type lathes and are manual actuated self-centering.

 

An independent 4 jaw chuck is not self-centering, but the individual jaws can be moved independently from one another. These chucks can be used to work on an irregular shaped part, or you can use it to set a piece off center for whatever reason that you would have in doing so.

 

Combination jaw chucks combine the self-centering action of the scroll chuck with independently moving jaws. This adds more flexibility with the ability to have the self-centering benefits. Drawtube actuated lathe chucks are powered using hydraulic or air cylinders to move the drawtube forward or backward. When the drawtube moves, it clamps or unclamps the jaws.

 

Each different type of lathe chucks can perform a wide range of tasks, opening the possibilities of incredible designs and processes. Many of the chucks mentioned here are more than the average beginner lathe worker will need or be able to get the most out of, but each one can be used in many standard lathe machines. The only drawback is that not all of these different types of lathes are available for mini or micro lathes.

 

Now, if you are interested in learning more information about 2 jaw chuck, 3 jaw chuck and so on chucks, welcome to visit the website of Autogrip Machinery Co., Ltd. to see what high quality power chucks they can offer you!

 

 

Article Source: http://www.toolerant.com/lathe-chucks-and-accessories-what-do-i-need/

CNC Boring Machining Services For Cost Effective Parts

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The CNC boring machine has revolutionized many jobs in the machine shop through its ability to economically create parts with a series of precise, perfectly-positioned holes or cuts. Available in table, planer, or floor models, the boring mill often is used to increase the accuracy and tolerances of holes and cuts.

 

How CNC Boring Mills Work

 

The most popular type of CNC boring mill, the table type, can handle pieces as large as 66 ft. The table supports the items being bored, while three axes drive the part toward the work spindle and create the holes. The machine, controlled by computerized systems, may do the rough part of process or the more precise cuts.

 

Boring is used to create holes of different depths, usually by making a series of multiple cuts and retractions. During the process, the axes spin at a high RPM, which produces intense heat that is dissipated by pumping coolant through a channel that runs the length of the boring bar. Many machines operate on fixed cycles based on preprogrammed subroutines called G-codes to ensure that the results will be uniform.

 

Applications for CNC Boring

 

CNC boring machines are useful for creating precision gears for equipment. A gear blank is cut, ground, and machined with accuracy. Given the sizes that a horizontal machine can handle, the gears meet the needs of industries such as aerospace, oil and gas, and defense, which require large parts.

 

Cost Effectiveness of CNC Horizontal Boring

 

Due to increasing metal prices, CNC machining is considered a cost effective way to produce gears and other parts with intricate precision cuts. Often made by forging or casting in the past, the cost of these parts has increased by 200-400% over the last decade. Though the machining process removes costly metal, it produces a more accurate part that lasts longer. The cost savings realized by machining has made many companies rethink how they manufacture and finish their original and replacement parts.

 

Selecting A CNC Machining Vendor

 

While many machine shops offer CNC machining, the one to choose is the one that has the proper equipment to do the job. For large-scale production, you need a facility that can handle the part size on work table sufficient to support its weight. Given that you will be working with costly materials, you want a company that is ISO 9001 certified, experienced in working with large parts in your industry, and staffed with trained machinists whose skills are continuously advanced through continuing education and certifications.

 

SEHO Industry Co., Ltd. is the supplier of used CNC boring machines. They are the professional second hand machinery company in Taiwan. If you are looking for ideal used machines in hurry, you can try to visit the website of SEHO to find the machinery you need.

 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7475761

What is a Turret Type CNC Lathe?

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Read this article to know more about a unique type of lathe machine which can be used for mass production either using modern CNC technology or older mechanical system controls.

 

Introduction

We have been talking quite a lot about various types of machines used in industry in general as well as those used specifically in manufacturing technology including lathe machines. In this article we will focus on a particular type of lathe namely the turret type CNC lathe and learn about its working and uses it can be put to.

 

What is a Turret Type CNC Lathe?

As we learnt earlier, a lathe can be used for various purposes including woodcutting, metal-cutting, watch-making and what not. The basic purpose of all these machines is to minimize human labour involved in the process and make it as much automated and refined as possible. Lathes which are used for metal cutting in industrial processes are normally required to produce products on a mass scale.

 

A single product requires several machining operations which in turn would require several different kinds of tools to carry out these operations. If an operator were to manually adjust each tool after every single operation, this would certainly consume a lot of time and unnecessary efforts.

 

Keeping the above limitations in mind the engineers came up with the idea of a typical lathe machine where everything could be fitted and configured in one go literally speaking. Such a metal working lathe which has got a turret and can perform several functions in an automated fashion is known as a turret lathe.

 

How does it function?

It is all very well to say that the processes are automated but how do we go about achieving the same? Well the answer varies depending on the nature of lathe we are talking about. For example modern CNC lathes use servo-mechanisms to control and time all these processes while in the older versions mechanical arrangements such as stop limits etc. are used to achieve the same goal.

 

About the turret

If you are aware of gun related terminology you surely would know that a turret refers to a sort of arrangement which his used to hold several weapons which can fire the particular shot depending on exact requirement. The turret of the lathe is a similar platform in the form of a tool holder, which holds various tools which can be used by appropriate rotation depending on the requirement of the work piece in a specific order which is preset using whichever method is used to control the automation.

 

If you need more information about turret type CNC lathe, welcome to visit the website of JINN FA Machine Industrial Co., Ltd., the precision machine tool manufacturer in Taiwan. Please don’t hesitate to contact with Jinn Fa for further details about turret lathe.

 

Article Source: http://www.brighthubengineering.com/manufacturing-technology/40255-what-is-a-turret-lathe/

An Introduction to Precision Machining Services and CNC Machining

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From a simple coin and electronics we use every day to parts of an airplane, everything comes from a very sophisticated process known as the precision technology service. It is a process of removing materials from a workpiece while gripping close to great finishes. This precision machining service has many types, which include machining, milling, electrical discharge and tuning. Nowadays most manufacturing companies use advanced precision machining performed by an EDM machine. Generally, however, high precision lathes are controlled by the use of CNC or Computer Numerical Controls.

 

A precision technology service contributes to each and every object that we see. Most metal products go through precision machining to achieve consistent, quality products usually from intricate blueprint designs. Also, wood and plastic materials use this machining method operated by highly trained and specialized machinists. The process in precision machining involves cutting tools, which are responsible for removing material from a workpiece. For the tool to do its cutting properly, it moves in a specific direction for a correct and precise cut. This main motion is what we call the cutting speed. The secondary motion is called feed in which the workpiece can be moved while in the process. Simultaneously, the motions and sharpness of the tool allow the precision machining service to operate.

 

One type of precision technology service is a milling machine, which shapes and cuts materials. This machine can either be horizontal or vertical based on the spindle orientation. It works in a manner wherein both the milling cutter and the workpiece move, which is controlled mechanically, manually or controlled by a CNC milling machine. One advanced milling machining used by most manufacturing companies is the CNC Milling Machine. It is mainly controlled by a computer and is normally used with horizontal or vertical milling machines and can also move the shaft along the Z axis. The first CNC machine, eventually called NC (Numerically Controlled) machine, was made in the 1940s. The CNC machining of today work with Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) softwares.

 

The lathe machine was dated back to ancient Egypt. As years passed, it has transitioned from something made out of wood, to something made of metal. Nowadays, lathe machines are operated by a computer. In some countries where technology is advanced, a CNC Lathe Machine is used. It is a lathe machining in which it is controlled by computers. Thus this method generates more varieties of dimensions, features and shapes while holding very close tolerance.

 

If you are interested in learning more information about high precision lathe and other machine tools, welcome to visit the website of Jenn Wei Machinery Company. More details, please don’t hesitate to contact with us.

 

 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8784017