This transfer machine illustrates a drilling station for an aluminum profile with 11 drilling operations. The actual machine time is eight seconds for a roof rack railing. The machine is used in three shifts and produces a finished part in less than 20 seconds. Depending on tool diameter, some of the drilling station units operate at 12,000 RPM.
This special purpose machine provides 33 holes in an automotive fiberglass- reinforced plastic part in less than 2.5 seconds.
"Bulky part machining can often become very difficult to integrate into a manufacturing process when performing multiple operations on conventional CNC machines," said a Suhner Industrial Products, Corp. spokesperson. "Limited space or axis travel, one-sided spindle or tool accessibility are common restrictions when trying to design and fit multiple tool requirements onto a rigid machine concept. In addition, cycle time demands and accessibility issues from all sides and angles can make a single tool, 3-axis CNC machine option a losing proposition.
"One new solution involves compact and self-contained single tool Multi-Master flex shaft machining units from Suhner. These units are modular in design, which means they can be positioned in any direction around a workpiece. In most cases, all operations can be performed in one cycle, thereby reducing the overall machining cycle time to a minimum. Since all tooling modules work simultaneously, the cycle time is basically determined by the longest single machining operation and not the addition of all the tools working together. There are virtually no limitations to part size and the number of tools that are engaged at the same time with this arrangement."
Suhner offers a complete spindle program with optional feed systems - pneumatic, hydraulic and CNC - available in a quill feed or slide and spindle design. In combination with modern tooling technology, Suhner Multi-Master machining units are designed to achieve a high degree of performance and accuracy when incorporated into a machine design. Solid carbide tools permit cutting speeds up to 300 m/min in aluminum at feed rates of 0.5 mm/rev.
"For all chipmaking operations, including drilling, tapping, milling, reaming, flow drilling, boring, turning, inside and outside grooving etc. with internal or external coolant supply, Suhner offers a comprehensive machining unit program for machine builders and end users alike," said the spokesperson.
For more information contact:
Lee Coleman
Automation Division
Suhner Industrial Products, Corp.
Hwy 411 S. / Suhner Drive
P.O. Box 1234
Rome, GA 30162
706-235-8046
automation.usa@suhner.com
www.suhner.com
ATX West Booth 3286