Machining

As CNC machining gets more complicated, the chance of programmer and operator errors increases. These errors can cause collisions involving machine components and workpieces during the cutting process, resulting in downtime and part, tool and machine damage. Costly crashes aren't inevitable, however, thanks to technologies aimed at preventing collisions and minimizing their impact.

When a good customer requests a meeting at his place, I go. That happened recently, when our shop's account manager accompanied me on a 20-minute trek to a customer's new corporate headquarters for a meeting to review our contract and extend it a few years.

CNC lathes have evolved greatly over the past few decades. What were once simple 2-axis turning machines have become a bewildering array of extremely capable metalcutting equipment, most of which offer two spindles, multiple turrets, robust milling capabilities and can complete many parts in a single setup. In other words, they have become multitask machines.

Vollmer of America's CHD270 is a sharpening machine with 8 CNC-controlled axes and a measurement device, and it's intended for the automatic machining of carbide-tipped circular saw blades with various diameters and tooth geometries on face and top.

The use of carbide- or cermet-tipped thin-kerf metal circular saws allows for high feed rates, low machining forces and thin saw kerfs—all of which reduces energy consumption and saves resources, according to Vollmer of America, which specializes in grinding and erosion machines, and develops sharpening machines such as the CM 200/300 and the CMF 200/300.

Intended for hook and clearance surfaces of carbide-tipped saw blades, the CHP 840 and 1300 universal sharpening machines with four CNC-controlled axes are suitable for the complete machining of all commonly found tooth geometries, according to Vollmer of America.

With greater scope in terms of its travel capabilities, the new Vgrind 360 is able to machine tools up to a diameter of 200mm, depending on the geometry. Just like its predecessor, the Vgrind 160, the same effective kinematics with two vertical spindles allow for multi-level machining.

The Vollmer eroding machine QXD 250 makes it possible for tool manufacturers to process more than 30 percent more PCD cutters in the same amount of time as has been the case up to now. This milestone in production is made possible by the generator technology Vpulse EDM, which sets the eroding beat at the heart of the QXD 250.

Hardinge announces the introduction of a hydraulically operated steady rest for its Conquest H51 CNC Turning Center. This new attachment is the Forkardt SRFN1 compact steady rest and is the ideal tool to support long workpieces without distorting or deflecting the part.

The LUMEX Avance-25 laser sintering and milling machine integrates a fiber laser for state-of-the-art metal sintering and a machining center for performing high accuracy, high-speed milling, according to machine builder Matsuura Machinery Corp., Fukui City, Japan.

Seco's new TK1501 and TK0501 insert grades incorporate the latest developments in next-generation Duratomic coating technology. The new dedicated cast iron turning grades reach a new level of toughness and wearnresistance, as well as reduce tool waste and process more parts per edge.

The SCHUNK TENDOturn utilizes a sealed hydraulic system which allows for fast and accurate tool changes. Users benefit from the advantages of the innovative hydraulic expansion toolholder technology, even with applications on lathes and milling centers.