The task of reducing per-part costs when machining commercial vehicle parts of the drive train poses increasingly greater challenges for machine producers around the world. Basically, customers want one machine to do everything, one machine which masters all technologies and provides optimum machining results while requiring a minimum of time. Generally this is known as complete machining.
"As a member of the DVS GROUP for machine construction, PITTLER T&S GMBH combines the technological know-how of the group in its third generation of the PV3 machine series. The newly developed PV315 turns, cuts gears, grinds and measures workpieces with diameters up to 315 mm with maximum efficiency in one clamping operation," said a spokesperson.
"The idea of complete machining is not new. As early as 1890, Wilhelm von Pittler developed a machine that was the first of its kind in the world, a mechanical lathe with revolving attachment for up to six different tools. The worldwide success of this development was based on the fact that it made it possible to perform turning, drilling and milling operations on one single lathe. Today, nearly 125 years later, complete machining at PITTLER is significantly more efficient, more precise and has reached a technologically unequaled level," said the spokesperson.
The PV3 machine series was developed equipping all machines with a multifunction head, Y-axis and tool magazine. In addition to turning, drilling, grinding and milling work, the PV3 machine series also includes thread cutting as well as deburring and pointing work, making it capable of cutting gears using the skiving process.
The newest member of the PITTLER PV3 series is the PV315. Developed especially to meet the requirements of the commercial vehicle industry, it is particularly designed for machining transmission components such as hollow gears or planetary carriers.
A tool magazine in the working chamber of the PV315 allows use of up to 20 tools. This allows flexible adaptation of the individual machining operations. The availability of a variety of tools also has a positive impact on tool costs. In the case of skiving, for example, the capability of switching from a skiving tool for coarse machining to a fine skiving tool increases the service life of the high-quality fine skiving tool. "Reclamping errors are also avoided, because it is only necessary to clamp the workpiece once for the entire machining process. This eliminates set-up, transport and idle times, which usually result during retrofitting processes," said a spokesperson.
At the request of customers, PITTLER has also integrated a post-machining measuring process into the PV315 working chamber. This feature provides detection of deviations, which can then be corrected retrospectively. The machine can be charged manually as well as with an integrated workpiece feed device or in an automated manner with a robot for mass production.
"In comparison to conventional lines with several single-process machines, the life cycle costs of the PV315 are significantly lower. In addition to the significantly lower procurement costs, less floor space is required and significantly less energy used," said the spokesperson.
The PV3 series is subdivided into the following machine models for different workpiece diameters:
- PV630 for workpieces up to 630 mm
- PV1250 for up to 1,250 mm
- PV1600 for large workpieces with diameters up to 1,600 mm.
Authored by Dr. Markus Vos, Managing Director of PITTLER T&S GmbH
For more information contact:
Scott Knoy, VP of Sales
German Machine Tools of America
4630 Freedom Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
734-973-7800
sales@gmtamerica.com
www.gmtamerica.com