5X MT with travel paths of 2,050mm along the Z-axis and 1,300mm along the Y-axis.“ No other machine manufacturer had offered such extensions. We would have had to switch to much larger machines, which would have been more expensive and associated with reduced dynamics.”
Instead, Neuson Hydrotec preferred to invest in functional additional equipment, such as a cooling lubricant temperature control system.“ Our roughing operations generate much heat, which would otherwise be transferred into the cooling lubricant and onto the component. But this would run the risk that exact fit sizes would no longer be correct after cooling.”
Interpolation turning instead of reclamping
The control software for interpolation turning was also on our’ to-buy list’. This is because the laser filter housing requires a 350mm hole offset from the centre by 8mm.“ Thanks to
the precisely controlled interpolation of the X and Y-axes, we can create this without any problems,” confirms Karl Kordik. Alternatively, his production colleagues would have to take the additional step of clamping the component to be centred on the hole. Arno Berger from Starrag said this can be done without problems:“ We have tested this. Despite the imbalance, we align with all required tolerances on the quickly rotating table.”
However, producing the eccentric hole using interpolation turning saves more time. Success can be seen after just a few weeks. In the case of the filter housing described, reducing the number of clamping positions from seven to one was possible.“ The time saving is 48 %,” says a delighted Karl Kordik, who had campaigned for this investment.“ Essentially, the reduced non-productive time has an impact.”
He mentions another advantage:“ As the component is now on the machine for longer, the operator has more time for other tasks.” The Heckert milling and turning centres also pay off when machining other components.“ Now that the vertical turning and boring mill is no longer available, we simply use the HEC 800 5X MT to produce turned parts. Even here, we are around 20 % faster due to multi-cutting tools, shorter tool change times and faster rapid traverse,” says Kordik.
He had hoped for such savings – or rather, he had expected them. After all, when he bought the new machining centre, he had already negotiated the possibility of a second, compatible Heckert HEC 800 – an opportunity he will probably take up soon.
Tel: + 44( 0) 121 359 3637 Email: info-uk @ starrag. com Web: www. starrag. com
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