Machine tool builder Fadal Engineering, Troy, Mich., has joined forces with Saginaw-based, family-owned manufacturer Merrill Technologies Group (MTG) to launch a full-range Fadal CNC product line.
"Fadal will manufacture in Michigan and California and sell globally through a distributor network," said Chairman Tansel Avci. "Fadal was a global leader in the production of vertical machining centers before closing its manufacturing facility in 2008."
Fadal will launch its new Classic Series VMC at this year's International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) in association with Ingersoll Cutting Tools, Rockford, Ill.
The Classic Series (VMC2516, VMC3016, VMC4020, VMC6030 and VMC8030) mirror the legacy box way machines Fadal produced for nearly 30 years. Fadal is also introducing a line of CNC horizontal turning centers: FG5, FL6, FL8, FL8L, FL10 and FL12.
"MTG updated the mechanicals, and the new Fadal CNC-64MP control functions with the same language and compatibility of the legacy Fadal CNC-88, CNC-88HS and CNC-32MP control, but operates with greater processing power and speed," said Michael Naert, vice president of operations.
"The new Fadal is all about bringing back to market an easy to use, CNC machine tool of sound design and state-of-the-art technology," said Tim Consalvi, director of sales.
Later in 2014, Fadal will release its VMC Performance Series, offering longer travels, greater weight capacity, higher traverse rates and greater CAT-50 spindle speeds, according to the company. In 2015, Fadal will offer customers even bigger machines; the Heavy Series will be Fadal's third entry into the market. This series will have large machining and turning ranges and capacity, making it desirable for the energy, off-road, aerospace and defense markets.
"Our complete line of VMCs and turning centers offer machinists varying levels of performance options to accommodate application demands and budget," said Naert.
After being sold by its founders to Giddings & Lewis in 1995, the Fadal name has changed hands numerous times through a series of mergers and acquisitions.
"There is something kind of nostalgic about bringing a once-family-owned company back to its roots," said Robert Yackel, CEO of MTG and now Fadal Engineering as well.
Related Glossary Terms
- centers
centers
Cone-shaped pins that support a workpiece by one or two ends during machining. The centers fit into holes drilled in the workpiece ends. Centers that turn with the workpiece are called “live” centers; those that do not are called “dead” centers.
- computer numerical control ( CNC)
computer numerical control ( CNC)
Microprocessor-based controller dedicated to a machine tool that permits the creation or modification of parts. Programmed numerical control activates the machine’s servos and spindle drives and controls the various machining operations. See DNC, direct numerical control; NC, numerical control.
- turning
turning
Workpiece is held in a chuck, mounted on a face plate or secured between centers and rotated while a cutting tool, normally a single-point tool, is fed into it along its periphery or across its end or face. Takes the form of straight turning (cutting along the periphery of the workpiece); taper turning (creating a taper); step turning (turning different-size diameters on the same work); chamfering (beveling an edge or shoulder); facing (cutting on an end); turning threads (usually external but can be internal); roughing (high-volume metal removal); and finishing (final light cuts). Performed on lathes, turning centers, chucking machines, automatic screw machines and similar machines.
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