Updated HMCs Support Unattended Operation
IMTS 2018: Makino’s latest a51nx and a61nx HMCs feature increased spindle torque and improved tool monitoring.
Edited by
Makino’s latest a51nx and a61nx HMCs feature the same rigid casting and axis designs of the original platforms, but with increased spindle torque and improved tool monitoring capability. The HMCs also feature advanced motion controls and the company’s Professional 6 control.
A vision-type broken tool sensor supports unattended operation by validating the condition of cutting tools after each tool change. By creating cutting tool silhouettes, the sensor also detects the length, size and approximate weight of each tool. This information can then be applied to automatically set the tool-change speed to the appropriate setting (fast, medium or slow). The sensor has few moving parts and requires no physical contact with cutting tools, improving long-term reliability and decreasing risk of chipping delicate tool materials.
Inertia active control technology has also been expanded on the HMCs. In addition to optimizing positioning motion of the rotational B-axis, the technology improves acceleration and deceleration rates along the Z-axis. It has been added to the rotation of the ring-type tool magazine as well. Each time tools are loaded into the magazine, the technology evaluates the weight held in the ring and adjusts acceleration to match the total load. This reduces the time the tool magazine seeks tools.
RELATED CONTENT
-
Horn Carbide Grades for High-Feed Milling
IMTS 2022: The SC6A and IG6B grades complement the tool system for high-feed milling and enable customers to choose the grades best adapted to their machining applications.
-
Eural Free-Cutting, Lead-Free Aluminum Alloys
IMTS 2022: Eural has developed three new aluminum alloys lead free and tin free to meet regulations, while providing the same results in terms of productivity and efficiency.
-
Swiss Machining Demo Shows Off Carbide Cutting Tool Lines
Pilot Precision, Palbit’s exclusive U.S. distributor, showcases Palbit’s cutting tools as well as its own broaching and drilling products.