Investment in the XXL future: For its new Center for Advanced Large Manufacturing, Metalex, based in Cincinnati, OH, ordered a 6-axis portal machining center from the Droop+Rein T series by Starrag.
Cincinnati-based firm Metalex Manufacturing Inc. owns three Starrag machine tools. But after extensive benchmarking, the key customer has chosen to invest in a Droop+Rein T portal machining center from Starrag - its largest investment to date.
The contract machining company, a specialist in producing high-quality workpieces, was looking for a machine that was capable of machining a wide variety of materials with flexibility, efficiency and precision - all in a single clamping operation.
The company ultimately decided on the Droop+Rein T series from the Bielefeld site - a milling/turning center designed to offer a high level of accuracy due to its rigid design and hydrostatic guide concept. The Droop+Rein T features a table length of 709", a horizontal pass of 354", a vertical pass of 276" along with a working area of X: 748"; Y: 354"; Z: 118". "The large amount of space offered by this model means that processing large workpieces in a single clamping operation is easy," said a Starrag spokesperson. There is also an option for 5-axis processing, due to the integrated C-axis with stepless rotation and the universal fork-type milling head, featuring a B-axis that swivels ± 203°F. The sixth-axis (W) - a 217" continuously movable crossbeam - complemented the universal approach that the contract machining company required.
The machining center uses a 134 HP main spindle with a maximum torque of 66,372 ft-lbs., transmitted via vertical and horizontal milling heads; two fork-type milling heads designed for 5-axis operation as well as a slim outboard bearing for drilling through. If entirely new orders come in, there is an option to use additional heads for milling, turning, grinding and turning out. The versatile robot magazine, which has space for up to 400 tools, supplies the milling and turning heads with three different tool systems. Integration into Metalex's production and tool management systems is undertaken by the Integrated Production System (IPS), Starrag's building block for Industry 4.0 solutions.
The table construction with two large tables (236" x 315") allows efficient machining. This construction means that one table can be used under the spindle while the other is loaded and unloaded outside the work area. Extra-long workpieces are machined in coupled tandem operation, for which tables are extended to 709". Each table also features an integrated rotary table from the Dörries series (diameter: 236"). Due to the two 149 HP main drives, the turning of components weighing up to 440,925 lbs. is also possible. The rotary table can also be used as a C-axis for precise positioning when milling and drilling.
"All in all, Starrag's solution was exactly what Kevin Kummerle, CEO of Metalex, was looking for. Kummerle values healthy growth and continuous development. The Droop+Rein T portal machining center plays an important part in this, offering Metalex and its customers impressive long-term benefits in terms of quality, technology, costs and service," said the spokesperson.
For more information contact:
Starrag USA Inc.
North American Headquarters
Skyport Business Park
2379 Progress Drive
Hebron, KY 41048
859-534-5201
ussales@starrag.com
www.starrag.com
Metalex Manufacturing Inc.
5750 Cornell Road
Cincinnati, OH 45242
513-489-0507
www.metalexmfg.com