Large Part Machining
Getting New Business with Big Machines
These shops saved themselves from dependence on the declining automotive sector thanks in part to their commitment to large-scale machining capacity.
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The Basics Of Producing Big Parts
This Florence, Kentucky-based machine tool builder uses its own equipment to produce machine tools. Here’s how they succeed at big-part machining on a large five-axis machining center.
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Composites Keep A Big Machine Busy
On-machine inspection is part of the way this shop machines large composite structures efficiently.
Read MoreAbrasive Waterjet Helps Make Composites Affordable for Boeing
Boeing overcame fixture costs and other challenges of machining large composite parts by opting for waterjet instead of milling.
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More Than Big Machines
This shop specializes in very large components such as rotor hubs and support bases for wind turbines. Its lineup of large horizontal boring mills can handle parts weighing 40,000 pounds and 12 feet on a side. However, the shop’s success also lies in other manufacturing resources and strategies. These include material handling equipment, customized tooling, special fixtures and wireless, portable measuring systems.
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Attracted To A Better Way
Modular, magnetic workholding blocks have changed the way this shop approaches the machining of both large and small workpieces. The blocks’ portability allows them to be used on a variety of different machines. Their flexibility often eliminates the need to create custom fixtures.
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Applying A High Speed Machining Discipline Without The Speed
In this shop, high speed machining makes sense at 4,000 rpm. 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. Acoording to a co-owner of this shop, high speed machining has no need for speed.
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Large Wire EDM Unit Gives Shop Room to Grow
This wire EDM job shop in Wisconsin acquired a submerged cutting wire machine that lets it handle larger, taller workpieces than just about any other job shop in the country. The new machine has a “column-up” option that adds a riser block between the X-axis saddle and the Z-axis column casting to give it exceptionally tall cutting capacity. The machine was installed in November 2007.
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Vacuum Workholding Method Fits New Machining Strategy
Increased demand for armor plating components led this shop to completely revamp its machining technique. Rather than machining individual workpieces, the shop produces multiple components nested in an aluminum plate. A custom vacuum workholding system plays a significant role in this new strategy.
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Big Inspection With Little Difficulty
A portable laser tracker let this shop increase not only its machining range, but also the range of its services to customers.
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