MACHINING & MACHINERY
Starrag Heckert ’ s DBF integrated facing head delivers one-hit savings
With a multi-tasking DBF radial ( U-axis ) facing head , Starrag ’ s Heckert DBF horizontal machining centres are unrivalled for single set-up , multiface , multi-faceting machining – including conical and contour turning – slashing processing times on , for example , oil & gas sector valves and fluid ends , in one case from 20 hours to just 4.5 and achieving 95 % reductions in overall processing times and 77 % cuts in cycle times .
Compared to machines that may offer , say , facing head tooling via a toolchanger , the universal DBF spindle with face plate has an integrated 45 kW , 3,500 revs / min and 1,700 Nm torque spindle , and accommodates HSK 100 and Capto toolholders .
The result is that with DBF , the tool tip is much closer to the workpiece – 200 mm-275 mm rather than the conventional 335 mm-410 mm – and this leads to much more stable and therefore highly accurate machining .
KOSO KentIntrol is one of Starrag UK ’ s customers who realise the benefits of DBF machining , not least because the machine has eliminated the need for two separate machines , and all the associated re-setting and queuing times , to produce finished valve bodies .
“ The elimination of multiple set-ups on a lathe , plus the lack of queuing and set-up times for drilling , has produced dramatic time savings ,” says the company .
The Heckert DBF was purchased to increase capacity of the machining of valve and globe bodies in the 1-6 inches range ( flange outlet bore size ) and from a variety of materials , from carbon steels through to super duplex and Inconel . It enables the production of complete body machining in one or two operations , depending on casting type and size .
The DBF strategy – for angle bodies in one-hit and for globe bodies in two operations of set-up for machining the plug-way ( including drilling ) then set-up and machine the flanges ( including drilling ) - has replaced a comparatively longer and laborious process of :
• Load to lathe
• Set-up and machine first flange
• Set-up and machine second flange
• Set-up and machine the plug-way
• Move body to drilling cell
• Set-up and drill .
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For those who aim for more .
Engineering precisely what you value —
Heckert
35 % shorter machining time
due to milling , turning and drilling operations in one clamping position
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94 PECM Issue 56