Makino has announced a new design configuration for its MMC2 automated pallet-handling system, which enables full compatibility with the company's a61nx-5E 5-axis horizontal machining center. "Together, these technologies offer a powerhouse combination of processing speed and flexibility, giving aerospace manufacturers more control over their workflow and the ability to adapt quickly to customers' just-in-time needs for complex, multi-dimension part applications," said a company spokesperson.
The updated MMC2 retains the same modular design and capabilities of its predecessors, but with a new pallet-transfer interface on the system's rail-guided vehicle (RGV). This interface is suited to handle the pallet designs used on the a61nx-5E. As a result, manufacturers are able to achieve spindle utilization rates upwards of 95% to further maximize the value of their a61nx-5E investment.
"Based on feedback from current a61nx-5E owners, we realized that the machine's productive capabilities were so high that most operators were struggling to keep their machines fed with raw materials," said David Ward, Product Marketing Manager at Makino. "While we see this as a good problem to have, it is still an issue that we wanted to address. By providing this optional pallet interface on the MMC2, we are able to help manufacturers keep up with the productivity rates of the a61nx-5E to get the most value out of their investments," he said.
The MMC2 is designed to accommodate up to 15 machining centers and four work-setting stations into a single system. Each system can hold up to 200 pallet stockers-stacked either one, two or three layers high-with a virtually unlimited variety of parts and fixtures.
The system's RGV is supported by a floor rail and upper-guide rail for enhanced stability and simultaneous, high-speed movement. The system's work-setting stations (WSS) provide access for operators to load and unload parts either by hand or crane. Each WSS has 180-degree pivoting doors to save space and prevent a cluttered work area. The MMC2 can be equipped with optional workpiece washing guns.
"Users of the MMC2 frequently report spindle utilization rate improvements of up to 95%, leading to increases in production without adding staff or equipment. The MMC2 system permits users to virtually eliminate part set-up time, reducing non-value-added time in their machining operations. By providing a continual flow of parts to the a61nx-5E, the system can run for extended periods unattended, including over nights and weekends," said a company spokesperson.
"The updated MMC2 retains the same Microsoft Windows-based MAS-A5 control software to maximize production output while monitoring multi-machine production requirements. The MAS-A5 main PC hard drive stores and manages all NC programs for optimum machine utilization, including NC programs that exceed CNC memory. With these storage capabilities, there is practically no limit to the number of fixtures and associated process sequences and offsets that can be logically assigned to an individual pallet," said the spokesperson.
Tool data, both in and out of the a61nx-5E machines, can be accessed and modified from the MAS-A5 user interface. A variety of file formats for tooling and part information are supported and can be displayed to assist with part loading/unloading and tool-setting operations. The Tool-Life Predict function enables the MAS-A5 to gather tool-life data per NC program. When a request is opened, this function informs the operator of how long a tool is used in each NC program execution, as well as how many spare tools per machine are required to finish any work that is currently loaded or awaiting processing at the time that the request was placed. The MAS-A5 then schedules work only for the machines that meet tool-life and availability requirements for the desired process sequence. Interfacing with a tool presetter also reduces errors by automatically capturing tool-offset data, which can be transferred from the presetter to the MAS-A5 system control.
Standard control features include in-cell production scheduling, equipment status monitoring, NC program management and on-board reporting. These capabilities enable the MMC2 to assign work and initiate operations automatically, based on machine and material availability, using maximum spindle capabilities and monitoring all automated procedures.
For more information contact:
Laura Buehner
Marketing Manager
Makino Inc.
7680 Innovation Way
Mason, OH 45040
800-552-3288
laura.buehner@makino.com
www.makino.com
Southwest
TX
Glenn Wise
Consumable Sales Engineer
Single Source Technologies
1701 W. Northwest Hwy.
Grapevine, Texas 76051
877-778-5151
glenn.wise@singlesourcetech.com
www.singlesourcetech.com
N. TX
Steven Neidigk
Single Source Technologies
1701 W. Northwest Hwy.
Grapevine, Texas 76051
877-778-5151
steven.neidigk@singlesourcetech.com
S. TX
Felix Bargas
Single Source Technologies
1701 W. Northwest Hwy.
Grapevine, Texas 76051
877-778-5151
felix.bargas@singlesourcetech.com
OK
KOMT
9511 E 55th Place
Tulsa, OK 74145
918-664-6064
roger_thompson@komt.com
LA
Dennis Mullally
c/o Oliver Van Horn Co.
4100 Euphrosine St.
New Orleans, LA 70125
504-210-3042
dennis-mullally@ohvanhorn.com
NM
Moncktons Machine Tools, Inc.
928 Canvas Back Rd.
Rio Rancho, NM 87144
505-891-8845
msmith@mmtproductivity.com
AR
Tom Van Hersh
Single Source Technologies (SST)
26762 Success Drive
P.O. Box 708
Madison, AL 35758
Cell: 901-569-2251
thomas.vanhersh@singlesourcetech.com
Southeast
SC
Jason Piechowiak
Single Source Technologies (SST)
415 Brookshire Road
Greer, SC 29651
Cell: 864-498-2664
jason.piechowiak@singlesourcetech.com
www.singlesourcetech.com
Central & S. NC
Alan Godwin
Single Source Technologies (SST)
148 Hampshire Drive
Mooresville, NC 28115
alan.godwin@singlesourcetech.com
E. NC & VA
Dan Fredrickson
Single Source Technologies (SST)
415 Brookshire Road
Greer, SC 29651
Cell: 336-831-4246
dan.fredrickson@singlesourcetech.com
N. MS, W.TN
Tom Van Hersh
Single Source Technologies (SST)
26762 Success Drive
P.O. Box 708
Madison, AL 35758
Cell: 901-569-2251
thomas.vanhersh@singlesourcetech.com
AL
Jack Nash
Single Source Technologies (SST)
26762 Success Drive
P.O. Box 708
Madison, AL 35758
Cell: 205-612-9371
jack.nash@singlesourcetech.com
NC, SC, VA
Cara Kelso
Single Source Technologies (SST)
EDM Consumables
415 Brookshire Road
Greer, SC 29651
Cell: 908-265-7317
cara.kelso@singlesourcetech.com
GA
Gaylon Gregory
Single Source Technologies (SST)
26762 Success Drive
P.O. Box 708
Madison, AL 35758
Cell: 770-283-4852
gaylon.gregory@singlesourcetech.com
AL, FL, GA, MS, TN
Bob Ash
Single Source Technologies (SST)
Tooling & Consumables
26762 Success Drive
P.O. Box 708
Madison, AL 35758
Cell: 256-200-1100
bob.ash@singlesourcetech.com
N. FL
Kenneth Boucher
Single Source Technologies (SST)
26762 Success Dr.
Madison, AL 35756
407-988-7195
kenneth.boucher@singlesourcetech.com
S. FL
Ben Guest
Single Source Technologies (SST)
26762 Success Dr.
Madison, AL 35756
Cell: (281) 254-0728
ben.guest@singlesourcetech.com
GA
Steve Stratman
Single Source Technologies (SST)
Tooling & Consumables
26762 Success Drive
Madison, AL 35756
Cell: 864-247-3567
steve.stratman@singlesourcetech.com
Northeast
DE, NJ, MD, E. PA, Long Island
Rob Ehrman
Single Source Technologies (SST)
2 Hagerty Blvd, Ste 300
West Chester, PA 19382-4956
610-430-3670
ron.ehrman@singlesourcetech.com
CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, NH,
NJ, E. PA, RI, Long Island
SST - EDM Consumables
30 Chapin Road Suite 1208
P.O. Box 655
Pine Brook, NJ 07058-0655
800-336-7283 / 973-227-6601
MA, CT, ME, NH, RI, VT
Able Machine Tool Sales
800 Silver St.
Agawam, MA 01001
413-786-4662
sales@ablemts.com
www.ablemts.com
NY, NJ
Jason Chomenko
Single Source Technologies (SST)
2 Hagerty Blvd, Ste 300
West Chester, PA 19382-4956
610-430-3670
jason.chomenko@singlesourcetech.com
NY, NJ
David Lovejoy
Consumable Sales Engineer
SST - EDM Consumables
2 Hagerty Blvd, Ste 300
West Chester, PA 19382-4956
610-430-3670
david.lovejoy@singlesourcetech.com
DE, MD, PA
Kevin Most
EDM Sales Engineer
Single Source Technologies (SST)
2 Hagerty Blvd, Ste 300
West Chester, PA 19382-4956
610-430-3670
kevin.most@singlesourcetech.com
NY
Meagley Machinery, Inc.
8384 Glen Eagle Dr
P.O. Box 51
Manlius, NY 13104
315-952-8525
W. PA, WV
Allegheny Machine
632 E. McMurray Rd.
McMurray, PA 15317
800-269-4090 / 724-942-4451
www.allegmach.com
Midwest
KY
Technical Equipment Sales
P.O. Box 99793
Louisville, KY 40269
800-852-0582
IN
Technical Equipment Sales
4501 Earhart Lane
Ft. Wayne, IN 46809
800-852-0582
OH
Technical Equipment Sales
10165 International Blvd.
Cincinnati, OH 45246
800-852-0582 / 513-874-0160
Technical Equipment Sales
6900 Southpointe Pkwy. Ste. A
Brecksville, OH 44141
800-852-0582
MI
Single Source Technologies (SST)
2600 Superior Court
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
248-232-6232
ctg@singlesourcetech.com
MN, ND, SD
Productivity, Inc.
15150 25th Ave N
Minneapolis, MN 55447-1981
763-476-8600
productivity@productivity.com
WI, IL, MO
Mike McGuire
Single Source Technologies (SST)
1135 Jansen Farm Dr.
Elgin, IL 60123
847-468-1295
NE
Productivity, Inc.
3435 A Street
Omaha, NE 68144
402-330-2323
prone@productivity.com
IA
Productivity, Inc.
9440 Atlantic Drive SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
319-734-3403
dsmith@productivity.com
KS
Mark Rehwinkel
Makino - Direct Wichita
2333 S. West St., Bldg #100, Suite #103
Wichita, KS 67217
513-573-3607
mark.rehwinkel@makino.com
West
N. CA, NV
John Cardana
Clancy Machine
3942 Valley Ave., Bldg. K,
Pleasanton, CA 94566
925-249-2299
Cell: 925-575-4011
jcardana@clancymachinetool.com
S. CA
Jonathan Hay
Single Source Technologies (SST)
17800 Newhope Street STE K
Fountain Valley, CA 92708-5429
Cell: 714-380-2336
jonathan.hay@singlesourcetech.com
S. CA (Inland Empire,
San Diego, Wes Colony)
Single Source Technologies (SST)
17800 Newhope Street STE K
Fountain Valley, CA 92708-5429
Cell: 714-904-3804
wes.colony@singlesourcetech.com
S. CA (Los Angeles, Orange County)
Bill Gocke
Single Source Technologies (SST)
17800 Newhope Street STE K
Fountain Valley, CA 92708-5429
Cell: 714-659-0552
bill.gocke@singlesourcetech.com
S. CA (San Fernando Valley,
San Gabriel Valley, Santa Clarita Valley)
Rob Wood
Single Source Technologies (SST)
17800 Newhope Street Ste. K
Fountain Valley, CA 92708-5429
Cell: 805-844-1331
rob.wood@singlesourcetech.com
S. CA
Jamie Layden - Consumable Sales Engineer
Single Source Technologies (SST)
17800 Newhope Street Ste. K
Fountain Valley, CA 92708-5429
Cell: 657-240-5414
jamie.layden@singlesourcetech.com
AZ
Lee Janczewski
Single Source Technologies (SST)
17800 Newhope Street Ste. K
Fountain Valley, CA 92708-5429
lee.janczewski@singlesourcetech.com
MT, ID, WY, UT, CO
Moncktons Machine Tools
637 Osage Street
Denver, CO 80204
Cell: 303-917-3072
msmith@mmtproductivity.com
OR, WA
John Ellis
Ellis Machinery
6226 20th Street E
Fife, WA 98424
253-926-6868
john@ellismachinery.com