Working in a coal mine

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END USER: Cincinnati Mine Machinery Co., (513) 728-4040, www.cinmine.com. CHALLENGE: Improve throughput and maintain higher part-quality consistency. SOLUTION: A machining cell with 24 pallets and two horizontal machining centers. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Makino Inc., (513) 573-7200, www.makino.com

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Cincinnati Mine Machinery Co. produces OEM and replacement components for several of the world’s largest mining equipment manufacturers, with an emphasis on conveyor systems.

When facing increasing sales activity and limited production capacity, the Cincinnati-based company began researching new machining technologies that would enable it to improve throughput and maintain higher part-quality consistency. The company’s solution was a Makino Machining Complex (MMC2) with 24 pallets and two a71 horizontal machining centers.

Courtesy of All images: Cincinnati Mine Machinery

Custom mechanical fixtures provide improved strength, rigidity and reliability.

“Our five previous milling machines from 1995 weren’t cutting it anymore with regard to reliability, consistency and productivity,” said Tim Jent, production supervisor at Cincinnati Mine. “The installation of the Makino machining cell enabled us to replace five machines with two, while doubling production capacity, redeploying labor and improving overall quality and flexibility.”

Learn more about Makino’s MMC2

For more information, view a video presentation on www.ctemag.com by clicking here.

While advances in technology have made coal mines safer for miners, the environment still causes harsh wear and tear on mining equipment. Chain assemblies, such as those made by Cincinnati Mine, face daily abuse from mechanical interferences and from conveying large volumes of coal and rock.

“Consistent quality is essential to our chain assemblies,” Jent said. “The materials we work with are typically heat-treated, high-alloy steel forgings, ranging from 40 to 50 HRC.”

Cincinnati Mine produces chain assembly components that demand precision and consistency for accurate fitting and reliability.

The investment in automated capabilities was a new direction for Cincinnati Mine and the largest capital investment in its history.