The Alpha 552 bar feeder from LNS America is designed for fixed headstock machines. The Bar feeder accommodates barstock diameters ranging from 0.20" to 1.85", with maximum diameters ranging to 2.047" with bar preparation of 5 to 52 mm. The system uses hydrodynamic or hydrostatic oil to support barstock and reduce vibration transference. The quick-change round guiding elements and pusher enable partial changeovers in less than 3 min. and complete changeovers in less than 8 min., the company says.
The bar feeder’s high-capacity, 11.8"-wide self-contained magazine tray enables unattended and lights-out operation. Additional features include centralized bar-selection fingers adjustment; a two-position hydrostatic outboard stabilizer with quick-change bushing system; a heavy-duty, self-centering remnant retraction system; and an 18.5" Z-axis retraction system.
Moving to five-axis machining enabled this shop to dramatically reduce setup time and increase lights-out capacity, but success relied on the right combination of workholding and automation.
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