From automation cells with robots to advanced CNC machining centers, Methods Machine Tools will have over 40 solutions in action at the show. Also to be unveiled at IMTS is a new-to-market product line for Methods. In addition, several machines from new partners Niigata, Tornos and Ocean Technologies will be shown for the first time by Methods.
Engineered Automation Solutions
Ten engineered automation solutions will be featured in the Methods booth, including a high-speed gantry-loaded multitasking turning center, a precision wire EDM cell, a deburring/finishing operation and an automatic workpiece inspection cell. All solutions are integrated with robotic handling.
Methods automation cell demonstrations are planned to showcase the RoboDrill Job Shop Cell, a deburring, buffing and finishing process, a smart Bin Picking Cell with vision and part recognition, High Flexibility Multi-Machine EDMs, an Automatic Shearing process preparing extruded aluminum stock to length prior to feeding parts to a RoboDrill, a Haberle productivity system extending tool magazine capacity on a RoboDrill and SCARA robots in action. Nakamura-Tome AS-200 and KIWA Triple H-40 Collaborative Robot Cells will also be featured.
"We are looking forward to showcasing the widest range of machines and automation we have ever had at IMTS," said Jerry Rex, President and CEO of Methods Machine Tools, Inc.
Featured CNC Machines
Methods will feature the following:
- Nakamura-Tome SC-300IIMYB: Among other Nakamura-Tome models, Methods will feature the SC-300IIMYB high precision multitasking turning center. It features a rugged machine structure with a 45° slant bed and box way slides on all axes, providing the rigidity required to machine difficult, high-hardness materials. The Nakamura-Tome SC-300IIMYB features a 3,500 RPM main spindle with a 3.5" (89 mm) bar capacity. A large 4.7" (120 mm) Y-axis travel and 10 HP milling function offers increased capacity, enabling fast machining with a cutting depth of .35" (9 mm).
- YASDA YBM 7Ti 5-axis CNC horizontal jig borer with a 2-position automatic pallet changer: "This high precision machine features the high accuracy and performance required to machine the most difficult-to-cut materials," said the spokesperson. "A unique rotary table design and a rigid machine design provide high performance machining of heat-resistant materials, such as titanium and Inconel." The YBM 7Ti has hardened box guideways and a 10,000 RPM, 50-taper direct-drive spindle. The rotary table is designed for rigidity. With the table design, there is ample room around the pallet, which provides smooth table movements and allows operators to get a closer and clearer view of the parts.
- FANUC Advanced Series D21SiB, D21MiB and D21LiB RoboDrills: The latest generation RoboDrill Advanced models will be on display featuring fast servomotor-driven ATCs that reduce tool-to-tool speed by almost half, an extended Z-axis stroke, optional servo door on the front and side and more.
New tool monitoring solutions, FANUC RoboDrill-LINKi and FANUC MT-LINKi Integration servers, will be shown. Robodrill-LINKi and MT-LINKi Integration can monitor and manage data from one to 1,000 FANUC machines. Operational and production data are monitored and collected using a PC and an Ethernet connection. A variety of data points are automatically collected, including alarm history, macro variables and signal history, servo/spindle motor currents and temperatures, battery and fan status, feed rate overrides and more.
- FANUC CiB series wire EDMs: The EDMs will feature the FANUC 31i-WB control with new iHMI user interface, advanced automatic wire feeding (AWF), and a new Economy Mode for energy and wire usage savings. The CiB-Series machines burn with no re-cast and the AWF2 has been enhanced to thread thicknesses of up to 20" submerged. Design efficiencies such as Core-Stitch slug retention, thermal displacement compensation, a moving tank design and 3-D compensation function offer increased accuracy, speed and throughput. The FANUC RoboCut's automatic wire tension meter and servomotor adjustment are engineered for accurate, straight parts. The RoboCut CiB-Series EDMs are built in Japan.
- KIWA Next Generation KH-4500 KAI and Triple H40 QWC HMCs: KIWA Japan has improved its KH-4500 horizontal machining center (HMC), using less floor space with the new compact KAI design, while retaining large machining capacities. It features 80M (3,149 IPM) rapids and standard chilled ball screws. Both the ATC magazine and the APC system are fully expandable in the field, allowing adaptation to customers' growing needs. Active steel cutting demonstrations will be shown, highlighting the machine's multiple pallet 4+1 machining capabilities in addition to high chip removal rates.
Also on display will be the KIWA Triple H40 with Quick Work Changer, which will be loading and unloading workpieces using a collaborative FANUC robot. While shown as a single machine demo, the Triple H40 is designed to work in an automated multiple machine line and can produce high volume parts that require short cycle times. Easy-to-maintain with Armless ATC and no table guides, this HMC provides full size horizontal capabilities in a compact design.
The KIWA-Methods KMH-300A Series HMCs will be running live cutting demonstrations on 6-pallet and 2-pallet machines. With features including 20 HP, BIG-PLUS 40 taper, DDS (12,000 RPM), oil-air lubrication and spindle chiller, the KMH-300A HMCs are engineered for enhanced power, speed and surface finish, along with long spindle life and thermal stability. "Designed for productivity, these multiple pallet HMCs will show unattended accurate single set-up machining of complex work pieces without sacrificing the accuracy and precision of the finished parts," said the spokesperson.
- Methods Machine Tools will debut its own line of machining centers: The new MV 800H (15,000 RPM spindle) and new MV 1600 (12,000 RPM spindle) vertical machining centers (VMC) have a 25 HP BIG-PLUS 40-taper direct drive spindle with oil-air lubrication and spindle oil chiller, providing enhanced power, speed and surface finish, along with long spindle life and thermal stability. Rigid box way construction in the Z-axis on the MV 800H offers enhanced rigidity and cutting performance. The heavy-duty 41,888 lb. MV 1600 machine construction is designed for machining large, diverse complex parts.
The new MB 650U 5-axis machining center will also be on display. Designed for high accuracy, 5-axis simultaneous machining of complex parts, the MB 650U reduces the need for multiple set-ups. Equipped with standard linear scales on the XYZ-axes, rotary scales on the B and C-axes, and thermal compensation, the machine offers stable, high precision part production. The MB 650U has a 25 HP BIG-PLUS 40-taper 15,000 RPM direct drive spindle with oil-air lubrication and spindle oil chiller.
- VisionGauge digital optical comparators: VisionGauge second-generation digital optical comparators are drop-in replacements for traditional optical comparators. They work directly with CAD data and do not require costly overlays or templates. The advanced CAD AutoAlign and CAD Auto-Pass/Fail tools eliminate operator error and can automatically collect complete electronic documentation including measurements, statistics, and pass/fail results, and produce a high resolution image of the part with its CAD overlay, directly on the shop floor. Extended travel digital optical comparators 700 Series and 500 Series will be shown, each featuring a new, larger high resolution 53" single monitor. The 700 Series has a 24" x 24" x 24" envelope and tilt and rotary axes based in a trunnion configuration, accommodating parts weighing up to 100 lbs.
Methods' New Partners in Machining
Methods will introduce its new partners in machining:
- The Niigata High Speed N7 HMC is engineered with a stationary column and rigid construction with a dual box design to provide enhanced cutting performance and stability, especially at the top of the Y-axis. The machine is equipped with a slant design spindle snout providing better accessibility to workpieces and the ability to use shorter tools. A field-expandable ATC magazine and pallet system accommodates work load increases, enabling lights-out machining.
- The Tornos Multi-Swiss 8 x 26 lathe with eight spindles and eight slides for main operations will be shown. The lathe features a simple, sequential-operation programming format as well as a streamlined, compact design. Also being demonstrated is the Tornos SwissNano designed for demanding precision machining requirements. It is manufactured with a symmetrical cast iron frame for rigidity.
- Methods recently partnered with Ocean Technologies Ltd. Inc. to offer EDM drills. The full line of models range from manual machines to fully programmable 5-axis machines capable of machining complex parts. Ocean EDM drills have a proprietary HP1+ power supply for reduced wear and shorter burn times, while reducing energy consumption. The Ocean machines can drill fine holes from 0.004" to 0.25", even in spherical and curved workpieces, on materials such as hard alloy steels to powdered metallurgy materials. E-Learning software allows new operators to easily run the machines while seasoned operators can review processes on the fly. The mid-size River 600 CNC will be shown at IMTS, demonstrating multi-cavity programmable drilling and patented break-through detection. Ocean CAM programming software utilizing TCP for accurate and easy program generation for complex 5-axis workpieces, which will also be featured.
For more information contact:
Methods Machine Tools, Inc.
65 Union Avenue
Sudbury, MA 01776
978-443-5388
sales@methodsmachine.com
www.methodsmachine.com
IMTS 2018 Level 3, Booth S-339119