mine part flow through automated cells, besides knowing how to machine a part. “We do all our programming at the machines because it is much faster, especially with the Mazak Mazatrol CNC control’s interactive-style input,” said Paul Sick- els, design engineer. “Our machinists do get support from the shop’s two design engineers when needed, but for the most part the machinist at the machine is the key to the success of a job.” Each machinist is completely respon-
sible for all workflow through a machining system. The goal of that workflow man- agement/scheduling is keeping machine spindles running as much as possible. Jobs with long cycle time parts will run at night, while shorter cycle time jobs run during the day. Workflow is very depen- dent on job-lot sizes, part complexity, tool- ing required and other characteristics of the job. To assist in optimizing workflow, Mazak provided training on cell manage- ment of the Palletech and Mazak’s cell management software, which works in unison with existing job scheduling MRP/ ERP software at the shop. “We are a Mazak shop,” said Roth-
well. “Staying with one supplier gives us consistency throughout the shop floor—consistency with our employee base in terms of training, with machine maintenance, tooling and controls/ programming. By standardizing, our ma- chinists easily run one machine one day and a different one the next day. Most important, our partnership with Mazak has resulted in us incorporating some of the industry’s most advanced technology, including five-axis multitasking and full five-axis milling, in addition to automa- tion. We rely on Mazak to keep us at the cutting edge of manufacturing.” For example, the shop’s recently installed a Variaxis 730-5X II five-axis machining center and an Integrex i-
200S multitasking machine featuring twin spindles and gantry loader. They have significantly boosted the shop’s five-axis and done-in-one machining capabilities. The machines allow the shop to easily and efficiently process those parts with
ITS SPEED DRAWS YOU IN.
ITS CONSISTENCY SEALS THE DEAL.
It’s easy to be lured in once you know that the TX-RV Pull Down Chuck is the first of its kind to feature quick jaw change functionality. And yes, being able to change all three jaws in less than thirty seconds is awfully impressive. But its greatest feature might be that no matter how many applications you present to it for high radial and axial accuracy, it’s going to keep its repeatability to within 0.0004”. Time after time.
At a time where there’s no margin for error, you couldn’t ask for a better solution.
www.SMWautoblok.com 847.215.0591
July 2013 |
ManufacturingEngineeringMedia.com 45
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