Slim, smooth running and in a wide range of special designs: a four-digit number of HAIMER shrink-fit tool holders ensures stable processes and high precision at Schweiger.
When the toolmaker bought the first HSC machine about 20 years ago, he switched from mechanical collet chucks to HAIMER shrink fit chucks because of the improved runout accuracy. Compared to the products of other suppliers, the HAIMER shrink fit chucks won him over with its superior quality,“ a company goal that HAIMER and ourselves have in common.”“ If you take the example of the shrink fit chucks, this can be seen in the runout accuracy, which is, by default, below 3 μm.”
This is an important prerequisite for the tool makers from Uffing. After all, they do not produce injection molds for cheap consumables, they create highly sophisticated molds used in premium vehicles- for example used to make headlight end plates in 2-component injection molding. These customers place high demands on the end products and do not accept the slightest blemish. Accordingly, the injection molds have to meet similar requirements: as a rule, surfaces should be smooth as glass and tolerances of less than 2 / 100 mm must be maintained.
One of Schweiger’ s main areas of focus in production is the milling of large complex molds, whereby individual workpieces can weigh up to nine tons. The cavities are often very deep. Typically between 300 to 400 mm, sometimes even up to 500 or 600 mm deep. This requires slim shrink fit tool holders, the use of shrink fit extensions as well as tools with extremely long shanks.“ Another strength of Haimer. The company offers a large variety of tool holders standard. If required, however, we can always order a wide range of special designs,” emphasizes production manager Orterer. He points again to the extremely good runout accuracy properties, which apply equally to standard and special tool holder designs. Not only do they contribute to excellent machining results, they also spare the spindle and the tools.
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A long tool life enables unmanned operation
In general, a longer spindle life means considerable costs savings, but the tool live is even more important in automated production.“ In order to work unmanned, I need an absolutely reliable, long-lasting system of spindle, tool holder and tool,” explains Anton Schweiger.
Schweiger machines many large injection molds automatically in one clamping operation – for 40 to 50, sometimes even 100 hours, non-stop. A broken tool or even a spindle damage during unmanned operation would be fatal. In addition, a rigid and stable connection is important to achieve the requested surface quality.“ A key to this is the Haimer tool holders,” adds the company owner,“ they enable process-reliable machining.”
Not every requirement of the toolmaker can be optimally fulfilled with standard tool holders. Anton Schweiger especially appreciates the close cooperation with the HAIMER specialists and the flexibility of the company in Igenhausen.“ For us it is important that Haimer listens to the users,” emphasizes the entrepreneur.
His HAIMER contact, Oliver Lechner, sales manager for Southern Germany, always responds quickly to inquiries. Lechner comments,“ After that, we supply Schweiger with the required custom-made products, such as special, conically shaped face mill arbors that allow the machining of cavities up to 360 mm depth.” Anton Schweiger adds,“ These tool holders are perfectly adapted to the tool diameter and the respective cavities. That is how I can, without any concerns, let the machines work without supervision- even for roughing.”
Specialist for complex large-scale molds
The tool and mold making company, Schweiger, was founded in 1962 by Erich Schweiger. Today, under the management of his son Anton Schweiger, it has around 75 employees and generates around 10 million Euros in sales each year. Their core business consists of complex injection molds weighing between 5 and 30 tons, 99 percent of which are supplied to the automotive industry.
They are mainly used for the production of headlight covers, optical and visual components.
Customers include German premium manufacturers, as well as their 1st tiers. In addition to automated production with standardized processes, Schweiger sees its strength in turn-key solutions. The services range from support in product development to series production and aftersales services.
About HAIMER
HAIMER is a family run, medium sized company located in Igenhausen, Bavaria near Augsburg, Germany. We design, produce and sell innovative, high precision products for metal cutting as well as for other branches including automotive, aerospace, energy, rail and general machining. Next to our large offering of tool holders in all popular interfaces and lengths, including our shrinking and balancing machines, as well as our 3-D Sensors, solid carbide cutting tools our product offering now also includes tool presetting machine.
Further information can be found at: www. haimer. de