Automated 5-Axis Machining 04/14/08
The topic of 5-axis machining has been a hot topic lately. Automation and 5-axis machining continue to gain popularity. This seminar presented by Makino will illustrate how to combine both technologies to achieve high productivity while providing high flexibility and ease of use.
Dixi Rising 04/01/08
Heavy investment in this Swiss builder's production facility will allow its output to rise to new levels just as the demand for large machine tools capable of nano-precision also seems likely to rise. Dixi was purchased by Mori Seiki of Nagoya, Japan, in a transaction completed in January 2007. Since the acquisition, Mori Seiki has invested more than $23 million in renovations and enhancements to this plant. Almost every aspect of Dixi's production plant in Le Locle has undergone significant changes. These changes reflect important trends and developments in today's manufacturing scene.
No Need For Speed 03/01/08
High speed machining makes sense at 4,000 rpm in this shop. While the disciplines the shop put in place made a new 15,000-rpm profiler dramatically more productive, high speed machining would have remained valuable even if the new machine never came. Here is why.
Creep-feed Grinding Is A Milling Process 10/01/07
Because creep-feed grinding is essentially a milling process, why not use a VMC? A grinding machine supplier describes how a VMC platform can make creep-feed grinding more effective.
Five-Axis Machining Has Special Workholding Needs 10/01/07
This clamping system allows a workpiece to be rigidly clamped while raised up from the surface of the worktable on a five-axis machining center. Moving the workpiece away from the table creates clearance for the spindle nose and cutting tool when the table swivels the workpiece for multi-sided machining, or when the spindle head rotates and swivels to do contouring or sculptured surfaces. Without this clearance, the user may be forced to refixture the part or to switch to a longer, less rigid tool.
A Machine Designed With Contract Shops In Mind 07/01/07
This five-axis, moving-column machine features a table configuration allows C-axis rotation of small- to medium-sized parts as well as fixturing of very long workpieces.
Minimizing Part Setup With Five-Axis Technology 06/01/07
More unattended machining was one of the benefits of this shop's move from four-axis to five-axis machines.
Successfully Feeding The Medical Market 06/01/07
This medical shop has adopted five-axis, bar-fed machining technology to adapt to compressed delivery schedules and increasingly complex part geometries.
Compliant Machining Of Composite Wings 03/01/07
Bell Helicopter created a systematic, scripted process to machine composite wing skins and structural components for the V-22 Osprey vertical takeoff aircraft. Custom software ensures there is no deviation from the script.
Machining And Racing 03/01/07
A visit to an automotive racing trade show revealed how some machining technologies are being applied to the production of hard core racing components.
Follow Your Blisk 02/01/07
Here are some considerations for successful blisk machining.
Advanced 3D Solutions For Manufacturing Engineers 11/01/06
MMS inMotion Presentation PTC demonstrates the latest techniques and tecnology in production and multi-axis milling, moldmaking, machining, and sheetmetal programming. No matter what role you play in the manufacturing environment, you'll benefit by discovering today's best practices in Computer Aided Manufacturing.
Under One Roof 11/01/06
In bringing multiple manufacturing processes in-house, this medical shop parallels its customers' efforts to be one-stop sources for hospital equipment.
An Overview Of 3 + 2 Machining 10/01/06
You don't have to use all five axes of a five-axis machine at the same time to get great benefits. Here's what 3 + 2 can do for you.
Move The Program Instead Of The Part 09/01/06
A complex five-axis part with hard-to-reach datums is machined in two setups instead of eight, thanks to a process that rewrites the tool paths to match the part's position.
Direct-From-CAM Machining Streamlines Robotic Milling 06/01/06
The controller on this robotic milling system drives robot movement directly from a CAM model without requiring a postprocessor to generate machining code.
Sawing On A Machining Center 01/01/06
One of the unusual operations that the PBZ NT five-axis machining center can perform is sawing with a blade as much as 20 inches in diameter.
Custom Program Instead Of A Custom Fixture 12/01/05
This software rewrites a posted NC file to adapt the program to the location and orientation of the part, potentially eliminating the need for complex fixturing.
Cylinder Head Porting On A Turn/Mill Machine 11/01/05
This complex milling operation is performed effectively on a machine that does turning.
When Probing Is Pivotal 07/01/05
Software for using the probe at angles expands the productive capabilities of this plant's five-axis machine.
Mold Machining On The Move 04/01/05
Rethinking the mold machining process leads to concepts worth considering, even for applications outside mold making.
Reasons To Use 5-Axis Machining 11/24/04
The major benefit of five-axis machining is the ability to machine complex shapes in a single set-up.
Five-Axis Machining When You Want It 07/01/04
This California job shop has managed to demystify the application of five-axis machining. Using a portable trunion attachment on a vertical machining center, five-axis capability can be on the machine or off the machine as the production mix dictates.
Making It In Medical 06/01/04
Examining this shop's healthy medical machining business shows that both medical components and medical customers require special care.
Manufacturer Develops High Tolerance, High Volume Parts Niche With Five Axis Mac 03/01/04
Magnus Precision has developed a niche cutting high-volume precision parts in tough materials such as titanium using five-axis machining.
A/B Rotary Head Turns Heads 02/27/04
The A/B rotary head module on Cincinnati Lamb's new HyperMach rail-type plate mill might not be the first thing to catch the attention of aerospace shops. Perhaps it will be.
Single-Spindle Productivity 02/27/04
High speed, five-axis machining on single-spindle machine tools helps this aerospace shop meet the demand for rapid, single-piece work flow.
Change Your Machine To A Hexapod 02/01/04
Want a hexapod machine but having trouble justifying the investment during these difficult times? Then you'll be interested in this hexapod attachment that converts most mills to a hexapod machine with a minimal investment.
U Axis Expands Internal Multitasking Machining 01/25/04
The promise of multitasking or complete machining continues to be realized in shops applying the technology. Driven by a need to manufacture workpieces complete in a single handling, machine tools that efficiently blend the operational capabilities of turning, milling and drilling in a single platform continue to evolve.
In-House Measurement For Bi-Rotary Heads 01/01/04
Generally the method required to verify a four-or five-axis, bi-rotary head machining center involves sophisticated laser interferometers and time consuming machine mapping to define and correct axis deviation from wear or other causes. For most shops, this calibration is done by an outside service.
Five-Axis Machines Give Shop Advantages 11/01/03
This company purchased its first five-axis machine, and since then it has added four more. The rapid growth of this business segment has generated plans for retiring older three- and four-axis machines in favor of total five-axis capability.
CAD/CAM Software Helps Mold Maker Survive And Thrive 09/15/03
Mold making has always been a tough, competitive business.
Fit The Strategy, Not The Job 06/15/03
This shop faced two big challenges-keeping an important job from going overseas and positioning itself for future growth. Simultaneous five-axis machining helped the shop meet both challenges simultaneously.
On The Cusp--Faster Machining Or Finer Surfaces? 04/15/03
According to developers, the main feature of this new milling method is the ability to calculate a cutter location that optimizes the orientation of a milling cutter on the surface to be machined.
Winning The Door Prize 03/15/03
The accuracy of this shop's five-axis gantry-type profiler helped it land the job of machining the engine-bay doors for the F/A-22.
Manufacturer Slices Cycle Time 80 Percent 10/15/02
Most of this company's work is machined to tight tolerances and super-high finishes. It builds, assembles, tests and then ships a complete product. The many multi-faceted parts being machined typically required several setups on different machines, often with cumbersome pallet and indexing devices.
Software And Five-Axis Machining Center Provide Speed And Efficiency 07/15/02
Mold maker A.F. Gaskin (Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom) has customers who operate in fiercely competitive international markets, including Formula 1, and measure performance on the ability to deliver quality products in the shortest possible time.
Making Profilers More Productive 06/15/02
The trend in aircraft design is larger monolithic aluminum components that are lighter and stiffer than counterparts that are assembled from smaller pieces. Problem is, the larger, more complex parts necessitate significantly longer machining times on conventional horizontal-table profiling machines, underscoring the need for faster, more powerful profiling machines capable of machining a mix of such components quickly and efficiently.
New Contours Of Competition 06/15/02
Toronto aerospace shops improve productivity with faster five-axis machining centers.
Harnessing The Quality Engine 03/15/02
Honeywell's Phoenix aerospace plant uses a dedicated CMM to ensure quality and reduce costs in a high-volume manufacturing cell.
Start With Waterjet For More Effective Milling 03/15/02
For aircraft components machined out of plate stock, this shop roughs with abrasive waterjet before finishing with conventional milling. Removing roughing from the machining center cuts cost and lead time.
Manufacturer Halves Cycle Times With Machining Center 01/15/02
The complex shapes of the iron castings that make up the housings for this company's flow meters require machining on multiple faces. The castings undergo various types of machining operations, from drilling to helical thread milling.
Split Personality 01/15/02
At the Canadian Machine Tool Show in late 2001, this company introduced its new H/V machining center. H/V stands for horizontal/vertical. OK, so it's a universal machining center ... big deal.
High Speed In Simultaneous Five-Axis Machining 12/15/01
In mold and die work, simultaneous five-axis machining is a proven technology, as is high speed machining (HSM). High speed simultaneous five-axis machining, however, is still a pioneering development.
Five-Axis Machining For Toolmakers 10/01/01
The major costs from a file management system may come from the little inefficiencies that add up over time.
Going Beyond Three-Axis Milling 07/15/01
In its quest for greater moldmaking efficiency, this shop added fourth- and fifth-axis positioning mills and is about to buy its first continuous five-axis mill.
Machining Center Meets The Production Needs Of The Aerospace Industry 07/15/01
Today, Metalcraft is recognized throughout the aerospace industry as one of the foremost manufacturers of complex structural components and integrated assemblies. The company has built thousands of airframe assemblies and details for the top aerospace companies.
Process Reduces Cycle Time For Aircraft Blade Refurbishment 05/15/01
The refurbishment of aircraft engine turbine blades is important to aircraft owners and operators because of the high original cost of the component.
Automating Multiple Face Machining 02/15/01
Although multiple face machining in a single setup is possible with four-axis machines, these machines only meet the positioning requirements for a small range of parts. To have the capability for programming multi-plane machining-and to machine this type of part in a single setup-a five-axis machine is necessary.
A New Twist On Five-Axis Machining 10/15/00
Cincinnati Machine and DS Technologie Gmbh (DST) announced a strategic alliance through which machine tools, service and support from both companies will be offered to the aerospace industry in North and South America through Cincinnati Machine.
This Hexapod You Can Work With 09/15/00
Take a standard knee-mill, identical to those found in thousands of shops around the world. On the backside of the mill, place a worktable. Under that worktable, attach six movable legs. Rotate the overarm of the mill 90 degrees so the spindle is above the rear worktable. You've created a five-axis knee mill.
A Holistic Approach To Cost Savings 06/15/00
To machine holes for less, this shop considers the whole process.
Five-Axis Machining With A Contouring Head 03/15/00
This accessory brought low-cost five-axis machining to two shops. One had never used five-axis machining before. The other was an experienced five-axis contractor.
The Other Angle On Five-Axis Machining 03/01/00
Machine complex prismatic parts efficiently on low-cost machining centers. This shop embraces five-axis machining-the kind that features a five-figure price tag.
Four Types Of Five-Axis Machining Centers 03/01/99
Different machines offer different approaches to rotary travel, and each design has its own strengths. Here's how they compare.
Mapping Your Way To Five-Axis Machining 11/01/97
The right route starts with the workpiece, but there are many other considerations.
Simply More Productive 10/15/95
Many shops associate five-axis machining with complexity. While the five-axis process can and does produce some amazingly complex workpieces, there are real advantages in applying it to less severe geometries. Here's how one midwestern job shop is using a two-machine, five-axis manufacturing cell to simplify part production.
