European supplier Fermat Group, in conjunction with its U.S. importer Lucas Precision, will display a WFT 13R CNC table type horizontal boring mill as well as a model BHC R cylindrical grinder at booth S-9259.
Boring Mill with Robotic Tool Changer
Fermat's WFT 13R CNC machine is equipped with a 5" spindle, table travel (X-axis) of 177" (4,500 mm), headstock vertical travel (Y-axis) of 98" (2,500 mm), column travel (Z-axis) of 59" (1,500 mm) and spindle travel (W-axis) of 28" (730 mm). The WFT 13R design also includes a ram travel (V-axis) of 27.5" (700 mm), which provides a spindle support while reaching to the center of the table while maintaining rigidity.
The WFT 13 features stress relieved castings for all major components, and all functional surfaces are hardened as one piece to 56 HRC. The WFT 13 is equipped with directly coupled motors to the German planetary gearboxes for axis motion. Oil cooled pillow block bearing housings are provided for accurate and stable positioning.
The WFT 13R model is equipped with a rotary table on a cross roller taper bearing. The table design includes two planetary gearboxes, two servomotors and two pinions that operate in the master/slave relationship for accurate positioning of the table. According to the company, this arrangement prevents backlash, limits stiction issues and provides continuous B-axis machining as a standard feature. Fermat and Lucas Precision will also showcase a new design on pallet exchange systems. "Fermat's Speed Lock system is fast, effective and an economical solution for customers with high volume production pieces without the cost and complexity of full pallet shuttle systems," said a company spokesperson. "This system limits the amount of time between set-ups, which increases efficiency and productivity."
This machine is equipped with the FANUC 31i control system. It will be available for immediate delivery from the show.
"The powerful headstock and main FANUC spindle motor (37 kW / 50 HP) of the WFT 13 is designed for rough machining with an emphasis on high quality machining surface finishes," said the spokesperson. "A two speed gear box for increased spindle speeds is provided, allowing for maximum metal removal during heavy machining operations."
The IMTS show machine will be equipped with Fermat's 105-station robotic automatic tool changer produced by Kuka Robotics. The robotic tool changer is designed to exchange 105 tools minimum (based on design) into the working spindle of Fermat's horizontal boring mills. The tools can be exchanged directly into the working spindle, or into a predefined position on an automatic milling head. According to the company, the main advantages of the robotic tool changer is that it provides fast tool exchange times and limits the amount of service or maintenance needs compared to the standard tool changer arrangement.
A wide selection of optional accessories such as facing heads, manual milling heads and automatic milling heads are available to be integrated into the WFT 13R machine being presented at the IMTS show per customer request.
Fermat Grinder
Fermat's cylindrical grinding machine, model BHCR, is designed for external and internal grinding operations. The program-controlled rotation of the grinding head along the vertical axis allows for sequential plunge grinding or longitudinal grinding with a moving table, and plunge grinding with a stationary or oscillating table.
The workpieces are held in place by one of two methods: clamped between centers or by using a chuck (optional accessory). When a workpiece is clamped between centers the part can be cylindrically or conically ground with precise accuracy.
"A unique feature of the Fermat grinder is the automatic rotation of the wheel head," said the spokesperson. "Wheel heads can be equipped with up to three grinding wheels. This new feature significantly expands the technological possibilities of the grinding machine. In particular, this design increases the ability to grind with more tools in one clamping arrangement. This design strategy eliminates the time delays caused by changing grinding wheels for internal grinding procedures, manually tilting the head or by rotating and re-clamping the workpiece."
Interpolation of perpendicular axes using the longitudinal feed of the table (Z-axis) and the transverse feed of the grinding wheel (X-axis) provides a wide range of grinding operations with a dressed grinding wheel, also available for external and internal grinding. The end surface of the workpiece can be ground by the side of the wheel which, according to the company, is an outstanding feature of the BHCR grinding machine.
The machine is suitable for precise and efficient grinding of complex workpieces in both serial and small-lot production.
For more information contact:
Paul Mandelbaum
Lucas Precision
13020 St. Clair Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44108
216-451-5588
paulm@lucasprecision.com
fermat.sales@lucasprecision.com
www.lucasprecision.com
Petra Mrkvová, Export Department
Fermat Machinery
Prumyslova 11
102 19 Prague 10
Czech Republic
Cell: 011-420-773-690-135
petra.mrkvova@fermatmachinery.com
www.fermatmachinery.com
IMTS 2014 Booth S-9259