Video Tech Brief: Vacuum-Assist Collection of Small, Machined Parts
Marubeni Citizen-Cincom offers an optional vacuum collection system for very small parts machined on its Swiss-type CNC lathes to avoid losing or damaging parts. Main system components are 3D-printed made at its U.S. headquarters.
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Automated removal and handling of parts after machining can be challenging, especially for very small parts that might get lost in the chip conveyor or traditional parts chute, and/or can’t impact each other causing their surfaces to be marred.
For Swiss-type lathes such as its L20 XII B-axis machine with automatic tool changer, Marubeni Citizen-Cincom offers an optional vacuum ejection system to pull and collect small parts once machining is completed.
As described in the video above, the system consists of a 3D-printed device that creates the vacuum and pulls completed parts ejected by the spindle through a tube and into a 3D-printed collection device. The collection unit’s funnel shape slows parts so as not to damage them as they gently fall to the bottom of the unit. The system uses either a timer or sensor to determine when a part has entered the collection unit to then shut off the vacuum device.
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