area acts as an offi ce for programmers. All programs for the machine have been prepared in advance to eliminate unnecessary downtime. The other side of the gated area houses any tools the machine may need during cutting. This
increased accessibility gives operators essential resources without having to leave the machine. D&S also added a deck structure—complete with three
Tired of seeing yet another deformed workpiece just because your chuck couldn’t securely clamp the part? It’s time to introduce your flanges, rings, fly-wheels and brake drums to the TE Six Jaw Chuck from SMW Autoblok. With its 2 + 2 + 2 equalizing mechanisms, this pull down chuck can clamp workpieces with twelve points
formed
hydraulic-lift tables with rollers—to the pallet loading area of the FH1250SX. The left and right lifts are for products that will be loaded onto the machine’s two pallets. After a product is cut, it returns to the lift table where it originated. The table then spins 360° to put the part back down on the center roller, which is reserved for completed products. When the rollers become fi lled, the operator uses the machine’s lights to call a forklift to carry the products to their next operation. Not to leave any FH1250SX-dedicated space unfi lled, the shop even uses the area under the deck for storage.
“We were kind of amazed by the plant’s newfound capability.”
of contact. The result is high precision and repeatability at high speed – with absolutely minimal workpiece deformation.
ints and repeatability at iec d
Plus, since the TE Chuck is completely sealed from outside contamination, you can keep chucking for up to six months rather than chucking away your productivity every day due to maintenance.
Bucek admits that making fl oor space for the FH1250SX was a chal- lenge. However, after moving older equipment to make room for the new machine and its auxiliary parts, the shop found that it came out with more space and a better overall fl oor plan in the end.
D&S attributes the success of the new layout to the communication throughout the process, conceptual- izing the new layout as a team. The FH1250SX HMC lent itself well to these changes because of its fl exibility; ad- ditional components could easily be added onto the unit without disrupting the cutting process. Bucek talked to operators to see what worked well in the past and how to incorporate successful changes into the shop’s fi nal layout. One of these suggestions was for the sliding