machine can generate safely. To improve the precision of these cuts, the company is now using shrink-fit toolholders which keep the total runout of carbide tools to within a few tenths, which is very important for assuring clearance toler- ances for precision punches within the die system. Excessive forces on the tool are eliminated because the soft-
ware thinks ahead to detect conditions that will result in the tool getting buried in the material (e.g. hitting a corner) and causing it to break or damage the part. Based on this foresight, the program automatically adjusts feeds and speeds to avoid these overloads. The dynamic toolpath algorithms are continually looking ahead and comparing options to decide such things as where to enter the part, where to go for the next cut and when to lift ever so slightly from the part during a dwell so that heat build- ups are avoided. The dynamic toolpaths allow CNC equipment to run safely
while cutting the hardest steel. They have helped reduce tool wear and tooling costs. The cost of prematurely worn and broken tools is always a concern. However, the more important advantage of this approach has been the ability to reduce the number of tool changes required for better equipment up-time. LH has been introducing lighter duty CNC equipment with higher spindle speeds to its manufacturing operations. Some of these operate at spindle speeds up to 30,000 rpm. Dynam- ic toolpaths have improved productivity by as much as 100%. However, when the company began using dynamic toolpaths, there were a significant number of older 40-taper machines only capable of spindle speeds up to 7500 rpm. The dynamic
paths allowed these mills to run smaller diameter tools at the highest feeds and speeds possible without placing excessive stress on tools and the less rigid spindles. Productivity on these machines went up substantially. “This advanced computer-aided manufacturing technology is allowing us to get a higher volume of work done faster. Until the last few years, if we could complete the detail parts for a die in a week or a week and a half, we would be doing well. Recently, there have been times when we have produced two or three dies in a single week. Our customers have very tight delivery expectations and we are finding ways to give them what they need,” Neuenschwander said. ME
For more information from Mastercam/CNC Software, go to
www.mastercam.com, or phone 860-875-5006.
Contour Measurement of Brake Parts Faster, Easier
A
t Advics Manufacturing Ohio Inc., a CNC setup has dramati- cally transformed contour measurement of automotive brake
components from a 45-minute specialist’s task to a 3 1/2-minute generalist’s job. Founded in 1987 and located about 40 miles northeast of Cincinnati, Advics Manufacturing Ohio employs more than 500 people dedicated solely to production of disc brake calipers and ABS units. These are supplied to automakers around the world for installation in more than 20 different vehicle models by the company, which has a reputation for being a quality-leader for brake products made in North America.
IT INFRASTRUCTURE
IT INFRASTRUCTURE
SOFTWARE & SERVICES
SOFTWARE & SERVICES
www.rittal.us www.rittal.us August 2013 |
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