MD Tooling now offers bar feeders manufactured by Italian company Top Automazioni s.r.l.
"Top Automation products are well known throughout the European market due to the advanced technology that is featured on every machine," said an MD Tooling spokesperson.
Features include:
- Changeover time of 1 minute
- Elimination of the use of spindle liners in the CNC lathe
- Automatic configuration of the bar's guide channel with the same diameter as the machined bar, with millimeter precision.
"Key advantages of Top Automation bar feeders include elimination of placement times, reduction of equipment costs, and high quality and efficient processes," said the spokesperson.
In Top Automation feeders, when changing the working diameter, the operator only needs to indicate the new size on the PLC display. The loader automatically: adapts the internal diameter of the bar's channel; adjusts the thrust torque of the motor; and prepares the warehouse for different diameter load. In just 1 minute users are ready to machine parts.
"Forget about algebraic calculations, screwdrivers, Allen keys, graduated scales and such. With Top Automation products, everything is automatically adjusted," said the spokesperson.
Top Automation products do not require additional equipment. When purchasing the bar feeder, the machine is fully equipped with what is necessary for working the entire range of bar capacity. Additional channel quides, extra pushers, and different spindle liners are not required.
The system of self-adjustable dynamic bushings are positioned on the exact size of the bar. Additionally, the pusher is cohesive to the bushing system during the turning cycle, and when it enters into the spindle of the machine tool it is secured in the correct direction by the clamping bushings with a force of 2 kN each. "This avoids the classic shaking and related vibrations, and eliminates the need to use reduction liners in the spindle body. The result is significant economic savings in the way of time and additional accessories," said the spokesperson.
By means of a fine keyboard adjustment of the internal diameter of the bushing system, even poor quality bars can be efficiently turned. The automatically adjustable channel allows the operator to independently adjust each steady block to find the most accurate diameter for turning uneven bar stock, therefore the best compromise of high speed/reduced vibration can be achieved.
"The bar firmly contained in a channel of optimal size allows an otherwise unachievable rotation speed. The correct sizing of the channel prevents unwanted vibrations, which eliminates the resonance effect and in smaller diameters avoids the twisting of the material and its irreparable damage," said the spokesperson.
Lower vibrations increase the life of the cutting tools, the inserts are less stressed, the contact with the material is homogeneous and the effort is constant. The higher rotation speed reduces the contact time with the material, therefore the unit cost of the finished piece is reduced.
"The rotating bar does not suffer the typical micro-vibrations that usually exist even in the best turning conditions. The accurate positioning of the steady blocks and the smooth quality of the plastic prevent shaking of the bar stock. Less vibrations at higher than average rotaing speeds produce a surface finish of excellent quality," said the spokesperson.
The fact that the bar stock is supported in its full length has a positive effect on the roundness of the machined pieces. The bar is housed in a channel of optimal size and the pusher is kept in a specific position. The bar cannot move freely and shake in the channel due to the kinetic action of the rotation, so there is no uneven whip effect that produces irregularly shaped pieces.
"In traditional bar feeders, a piece of 12 foot to 16 foot bar stock may be supported unevenly as it is fed into the lathe," said the spokesperson. "This produces unwanted effects in the accuracy of the workpiece and forces the operator to adjust the RPM to the continuous variation of lengths. The critical moment is when the bar pusher exits the envelope of the bar feeder but has not entered the body of the lathe. In this specific phase it is particularly volatile since it is not integral with the guide channel of the bar feeder."
"Manufacturing facilities equipped with Top Automation bar feeders are easily recognizable by low level of noise," continued the spokesperson. "The pusher in a traditional bar feeder is continually hitting the guide channel. The continuous metal-to-metal contact creates unfavorable sound and wear on the bar feeder and machine tool. With Top Automation this is absent due to the pusher being maintained by the bushing system. Vibrations in a turning application cause a simultaneous negative effect on cutting tools and spindle bearings. Not only does this reduce cutting tool life and the integrity of the spindle bearings, but also risks being non-compliant of the tolerances of processed parts and possible a halt in production. The technology of Top Automation bar feeders ensures the maximum duration of the components of spindle line."
For more information contact:
MD Tooling
10139 Bergin Road
Howell, MI 48843
877-918-6657
info@mdtooling.com
www.mdtooling.com