2016-06-28 04:37:47
Methods Machine Tools recently hosted TechFest2016, "Manufacturing the Future," open house event at its Chicago Technology Center in Elgin, IL.
TechFest2016 featured the company's latest machine tool technology and automation solutions with over 15 machines under power from manufacturers such as Nakamura-Tome, Hanwha, Kiwa, Feeler, FANUC and 3D Systems.
Demonstrated machines included:
• Nakamura-Tome AS-200LMY-S mill turn lathe with an 82 mm stroke Y-axis, compact 53 sq. ft. Floor space and a subspindle speed of approximately 6,000 RPM.
• Nakamura - Tome AS-200 high performance multitasking turning center with a single spindle, single turret with milling and Y-axis standard
• Nakamura - Tome WY-100 multitasking machine featuring two opposed spindles and two (upper and lower) turrets for shortened production time by simultaneous machining on either spindle. Both upper and lower turrets are equipped with a Y-axis featuring a 31 mm stroke.
• Nakamura - Tome WT-150II 8-axis, multitasking turning center with opposed twin - spindles and upper and lower turret design for cycle time reduction and higher productivity.
• Hanwha XD32II Swiss-type lathe with a bar capacity up to 38 mm at the main and subspindle. The machine also features a centrally located oversized guide brush housing designed to ensure process stability in heavy cutting conditions for tough materials.
• Hanwha XE20 Swiss-type machine features .750" bar capacity at the main and sub-spindle, a two-path Hanwha FANUC control, 23 tool positions and eight live tool positions available.
• Kiwa KH-4500 with 2,398 mm wide floor space, "stepped" base casting for improved rigidity and accuracy and over 1G acceleration/deceleration on all axes. Additionally, the APC system can be expanded from the standard 2 APC to 6 or 8 pallets in the field.
• Kiwa KMH-300 with an integrated full rotary B-axis, FANUC Oi-MD control with 15" LCD screen and dual 320 mm pallets. The KMH-300 also has a compact footprint of 140" depth x 107" width including the chip conveyor.
• Feeler HV-800 featuring 60 m/min X and Y-axis rapid traverse and 48 m/ min Z-axis rapid traverse, roller guide ways on Xand Y-axes and box way on Zaxis.
• Feeler VMP- 800 APC with rapid traverse rates of 48 m, 48 m and 30 m, 10,000 RPM 25 HP BIGPLUS 40 taper spindle, chip conveyer and FANUC spindle and servo motors.
• FANUC Robo- Drill a-D21SiA5 30 taper shortbed VMC with DDR Direct Drive 4th Axis and Job Shop Cell automation system. The FANUC DDR is designed specifically for Robo Drill machines, is capable of speeds up to 200 RPM and can unclamp, rotate 180° and reclamp in less than .5 seconds. FANUC's Job Shop Cell is available in single or multi-machine configurations, has an adjustable infeed/outfeed conveyor for a variety of work and a parts conveyor with quick set-up tracks.
• FANUC Robo Drill a-D21LiA5 longbed VMC offering drilling, tapping and milling capabilities. Designed for larger workpiece needs, the a- D21LiA5 has a 660 lb. Table capacity, Xaxis travel of 700 mm and Y-axis travel of 400 mm.
• FANUC RoboDrill D14MiA5 ECO, an economical, high performance, compact machining center focused on reliability and speed with over 1.5G acc/dec and 2,125 IPM rapids.
• FANUC RoboCut c600iA Wire EDM featuring X, Y and Z travels of 23.6", 15.7" and 16.1".
• FANUC RoboCut c400iA Wire EDM with X, Y and Z travels of 14.6", 10.6" and 10". All machines in FANUC's CiA series of wire EDMs feature the FANUC 31i-WB Control with 15" touchscreen interface, auto threader and a new economy mode for energy and wire usage savings.
• 3D Systems Projet 6000 3-D printer, using stereolithography technology to create accurate and perfectly formed 3- D printed parts and prototypes in a variety of materials that closely match or exceed the properties of traditional plastic materials. The Projet 6000 has a build platform size of 10" x 10" x 10" and delivers an accuracy of 0.001-0.002" per inch of part dimension.
• 3DSystems ProX 200 3-D printer for the production of medium - sized metal parts and designed as a highperformance, highquality alternative to traditional manufacturing processes. The ProX 200 system offers a build volume of 140 mm x 140 mm x 100 mm and supports materials including Maraging 1.2709, Stainless 17-4PH, CoCr and A1SH2.
Attendees were able to participate in leading-edge technical seminars and discuss applications with Methods engineers.
Technical seminars included:
• 3-D Printing Technologies, presented by Chad Spark, 3-D Application Engineer
• Savings Achievement Utilizing Multitasking Machines, presented by Rich Parenteau, Nakamura-Tome Product Manager
• EDM Technologies, presented by John Matheson, EDM Application Engineer
• Automation for Manufacturing, presented by Tyler Veegh, Automation / Controls Specialist
• Swiss Machining Applications, presented by Joe Merczel, Technical Application Engineer.
"This event not only showcases Methods' very latest, leading-edge manufacturing technologies in precision machine tools and automation solutions, but also demonstrates the Chicago Technology Center's depth of service," said Don Miller, General Manager, Methods Chicago Technology Center. "Our technical staff is capable of providing turn-key solutions for all available machines and automation systems."
For more information contact: Don Miller, General Manager Methods Chicago Technology Center 2400 Vantage Drive Elgin, IL 60124-7867 847-783-6800 dmiller@methodsmachine.com www.methodsmachine.com
Methods Machine Tools, Inc. 65 Union Avenue Sudbury, MA 01776 877-MMT-4CNC (877-668-4262) www.methodsmachine.com
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