The ZX boring, facing and contouring systems machine contoured surfaces in one setup or with a minimum number of tool changes. The tools are designed to run on horizontal boring machines with a CNC inner programmable quill. The tools?can machine bores, counter-bores, tapers, threads and complex contours inside components with a range of diameters. According to the company, users report reduced setup times, higher machining rates and productivity increases compared?with their previous methods. Carbide Turning Inserts ? Chamfer Inserts The company also offers a variety of other products, including the CX-2000 external roller burnishing machine, which sizes, finishes and work-hardens cylindrical diameters. Also on display will be the Flipcut back-spotfacing and chamfering tools; and tools for mechanical hole-deburring, precision reaming and boring, automatic recessing/grooving and generating heads.?
The Carbide Tools Blog: https://neilenid.exblog.jp/It’s almost universally taken for granted that a multi-axis machine tool must be programmed with CAM software especially developed for this purpose. Now, that same kind of software can be used to program a six-axis robot arm. Programming the robot in CAM software makes it unnecessary to “teach” the robot by jogging it manually from point to point and recording these point-to-point moves as the robot’s motion commands. Teaching a robot this way can be cumbersome and time-consuming. During the process, the robot must be taken out of production.
Robotmaster is a software package, distributed by In-House Solutions Inc. (Richboro, Pennsylvania), that provides CAD/CAM-based, off-line programming for robots. Although off-line programming for robots is not new, this software is distinguished by its CAD/CAM integration. It runs fully integrated inside Mastercam CAM software for CNC machine tools. Mastercam, developed by CNC Software (Tolland, Connecticut), is a widely used CAM product that starts with a CAD geometry file and creates two- to five-axis tool paths for machining a corresponding workpiece. Essentially, programming the robot begins by using the functionality of Mastercam to manipulate the movement and orientation of a cutting tool as if creating a conventional tool path for CNC machining. Later, this machining tool path is converted into robot poses, which combine its Face Milling Inserts position and orientation.
Once the cutter trajectory is created, a Robotmaster module lets the programmer draw from a library of pre-configured robots representing various makes and models of articulated robot arms. Normally, Mastercam uses the definitions in a “machine group” to determine the tool path output for the specific machine being programmed. In this case, however, the robot programming module enables the CAM software to treat the pre-configured robot as the definition of a specialized type of machine tool structure. This lets it take advantage of the robot’s unique architecture, which is unlike that of a typical CNC machine tool. The user must also define a few other items such as the robot’s end-of-arm tooling.
Next, a Robotmaster parameter screen working within the Mastercam framework Hitachi Inserts enables the user to fine-tune parameters for robot motion. The system then automatically converts the CNC tool path into six-axis robotic trajectories, thus generating robot-specific motion for cutting trajectories as well as sweeping joint motion for “air” moves.
Other modules for robot programming provide the remaining steps that a programmer typically follows when programming a CNC machine tool. A simulator allows the user to validate and optimize the robotic program, check for collisions and so on. The simulator can display a model of the robot and workpiece or the entire work cell, including multiple machines and fixturing. Finally, a special postprocessor compiles the program file in the format required for the particular robot for which type of robot is employed. The software supports Motoman, Fanuc, ABB, Kuka and Staubli robots.
Applications for the robot programming include trimming, welding, spray-coating, painting, polishing, deburring/deflashing, dispensing, grinding and milling. Interestingly, milling with a robot is proving practical for producing molds, patterns and other workpieces as robots become more rigid and accurate. According to the software developers, milling programs can be generated automatically for a CAD model and subsequently modified to adjust for changing cutter shape, cutter diameter, depths of cut and number of cuts. The robot can perform roughing and finishing operations as well as the tool changes necessary to complete each program. It is appropriate, then, that robot programming should be based on CAM software as it is for CNC machining.
The Carbide Tools Blog: https://jefferynat.exblog.jp/Methods Machine Tools is holding an open house for manufacturing professionals at its Technology Center in Tempe, Arizona, November 5 and 6. Methods experts will be on hand to discuss manufacturers' application requirements, and visitors will be able to view tooling, workholding, software and probing technology products being displayed by participating companies.
Several precision machines will be under power, including the Yasda YMC 430 Ver. II micromachining center for medical and semiconductor Carbide Boring Tools applications; the Nakamura-Tome AS-200 high-performance multitasking turning center featuring a single spindle and single turret; and the KMH-300 A direct-drive, 40-taper, 300-mm dual-pallet machine offering 15,000 rpm. In addition, the FANUC C600iA RoboCut wire EDM with a CNC FANUC Series 31i-WB control will be demonstrating new capabilities including volumetric taper compensation with four-axis over-burn control (TPCMP), and the FANUC RoboDrill D21iL long bed VMC will be equipped with a 24,000-rpm spindle dual-pallet changer and a new controller from FANUC.
Additional machines to be displayed include the Feeler HV-1000 40-taper, 15,000-rpm VMC; the Feeler FTC-100 slant-bed CNC turning center with a high-precision 6,000-rpm, 15-hp spindle motor for heavy cutting; the Citizen Swiss L20 type Xii turning center; a Current EDM Seco Inserts drilling machine; and metrology solutions including the VisionGauge digital optical comparator 500 and 400 series.
The Carbide Tools Blog: https://ericbess.exblog.jp/CAM-Tool software, available from CGS North America, features an improved simultaneous five-axis conversion function. The update decreases unnecessary axis movement to provide smoother, more accurate tool paths. The automatic function makes tool paths easier to create, according to the company.
Two tool paths support barrel and lens cutters. 3D Offset Cutting is a finishing mode that outputs offset cutter paths along surfaces with a constant step, while Curve Control Along Surface is designed for control in machining contours and reduced air cutting. Combined with simultaneous five-axis machining, these strategies can reducecycle times and improvesurface finish, the company says. Shank Cutting Burr
The system also helps users prepare for five-axis machining by enabling them to display the tool shape against the part model and account for changes in tilt and rotation angle.
Component Point Rearrangement produces smoother machine tool movement for obtaining better surface finishes. The feature arranges component points at equal intervals to optimize tool paths. Rearrangement type can be either Aligned or Alternate.
CAM-Tool’s drilling functions have also been improved. G01 Cross Hole Drilling controls the feed rate when crossing holes, recognizing the crossing section and adjusting accordingly. This adjustment is performed automatically by using the stock model to understand where to apply the strategy. By reducing the feed rate only at the crossing section, the feature avoids chipping that can occur when breaking Carbide Burr through cross holes, thereby extending tool life.
The Carbide Tools Blog: https://alvamurray.exblog.jp/Acuro Plus, a new balancing machine from Schunk Inc., is designed to simplify the process of balancing of toolholders. The company characterizes the balancer’s space and energy requirements as minimal. To operate the unit, Korloy Inserts a user must have a conventional 110-V power connection and 87 psi compressed air.
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Within seconds, a complete system, consisting of a toolholder and a tool, can be balanced in one plane. For particularly long systems, balancing can be accomplished in two planes. An adapter system with automatic clamping provides the same pulling forces as an actual machine spindle, the company says. Via a menu-driven system, the basic data input is performed, e.g. desired balancing tolerances in balance quality (optionally G or Q) as well as the specific density of material.
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Balancing operations can be carried out on toolholders weighing as much as 33 lbs and measuring 13 ?" in length at speeds ranging from 300 rpm to 1,100 rpm. The dimensional balance accuracy is less than 1 gram mm. The tool data administration Shank Cutting Burr on the machine comprises as many as 1,000 tools and tool parameters. Depending upon the balancing process of the toolholders, the user can choose between index measuring or spindle compensation method.
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