Manufacturer Adds New 5-Axis CNC Machine
June 1, 2019
For the last 18 months, Rock West Composites has been engaged in the expansion of machining capability at its San Diego facility. The most recent addition is a new 5-axis CNC machining center with 5' x 10' x 4' of useable volume for working on large composite parts, as well as metallic materials. Rock West Composites will use this high-precision tool to drill, trim and contour parts, including masters, molds, prototypes and composite hardware.
The machine is designed to handle both complex operations and large parts. A stationary bridge and moving table facilitate more efficient hardware positioning and faster load times. The machine features an integrated tool changer that can adjust automatically to tool length offsets and the programming can compensate to a tool-center-point at the tool tip, allowing for more rapid and accurate machining.
A secondary rotisserie operation allows for the machining of tubular parts. And variable speeds of up to 24,000 RPM offer additional flexibility for working with different materials. Tying everything together is CAM software that integrates with the engineers' CAD software to ease transition between design and production.
"Due to the machine's ability to produce large parts fairly quickly onsite, the Rock West Composites team believes the new capability creates a strategic cost advantage by mitigating risk and creating labor and schedule efficiencies," said a company spokesperson. "Our strategic expansion plan has gradually cultivated the resources we need to provide our customers the most cost-effective and reliable services possible," said Victor Montoya, General Manager of Rock West's San Diego facility. "By bringing certain functions into our facility, we are simultaneously improving quality, increasing throughput and reducing risk for our customers."
For more information contact:
Rock West Composites
3392 West 8600 South
West Jordan, UT 84088
801-566-3402
www.rockwestcomposites.com
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