Article From: 8/18/2009 Production Machining, Chris Felix, Associate Editor
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Chris Felix
During operation, the puller grabs the stock, the chuck opens, the stock is pulled to the desired length and the chuck closes again. The puller is then retracted for the machining of the part.
Untended operation can be the ultimate time-saver and key to efficiency. For the CNC lathe, a bar feeder or bar puller can allow the lathe to continue producing parts without involvement from an operator. Generally, the only interruptions would come when the stock has run out or if small offset adjustments need to be made. With the right prep work, untended machining capabilities can make a big difference on the bottom line because they allow the shop to continue producing even after the personnel have left for the day.
In today’s economic environment, as shops gear up for better efficiency, they might tend to be slower on the draw for large capital investments. While the benefits of a top-of-the-line bar feeder may be obvious to the folks on the shop floor, clearing the expense through accounting may be a tough sell.
Royal Products (Hauppauge, N.Y.), a leading supplier of metalworking accessories, offers a range of CNC bar pullers as an inexpensive means of automating any CNC lathe or turning center. The company states that the products, with an average cost of only $600, are easier to set up than bar feeders, requiring no electrical interface with the machine tool control. They do not occupy floor space and can be easily moved from one machine to another as jobs require. Shank sizes are available in square ¾ inch and 1 inch or round from 1-inch diameter to 1 ½ inches. Gripping range is from 1/8 inch to as much as 6 ½ inches, depending on the model.
When shops choose to take steps towards automation, they are rarely disappointed. Finding the right tools to fit the budget and still accomplish the goals takes some forethought and determination. Follow the link at the right to read “Successful Untended Operation,” a review of other accessories that can enhance lights-out shift work.
