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Deep Hole Drilling for Medical Application



UNISIG recently showcased solutions that are designed to provide extreme depth-to-diameter hole drilling, including the ability to create holes with high precision. The company's UNE6 Series small-diameter gundrilling machines are used for drilling deep holes in demanding materials, including high-strength titanium and surgical-grade stainless steel, and achieve enhanced concentricity through tool and workpiece counter rotation.

UNISIG highlighted medical production on the UNE6-2i that features two independent high-speed spindles for production of 10" or 30" maximum part lengths and available with integrated automation onboard. The machine's high accuracy allows it to drill hole diameters from 0.03" to 0.25" (0.8 mm to 6 mm) and depth-to-diameter ratios from 20:1 to more than 100:1 in workpieces up to 11 lbs. (5 kg). With 28,000 RPM total drilling speed and a 3,000 PSI (207 bar) flow-based coolant system, the UNE6-2i combines enhanced process control with an intuitive smart control interface.

UNISIG offers its UNE6-2i deep hole drilling machine for the specialty medical market. A key element is its ability to accommodate industry specific workpieces in a multistep, single piece workflow. Coupled with UNISIG's automation technologies, the UNE6-2i helps meet the accuracy and efficiency needs of the specialty drilling market for medical equipment.

In addition to a focused approach to deep hole drilling of very small high precision holes, the UNE6-2i provides efficient operation by imbedding a FANUC robot, which works in conjunction with the operator. This shared space approach allows the operator easy access to the machine for set-up at the front of the machine, then handing off the automated part processing to the robot located in the rear enclosure. This symbiosis of workspace means efficient use of manpower, automation and floor space.

Continuing the concept of production speed, the FANUC robot automatically repositions the workpiece from the front of the first spindle to insert into the rear the second, with no operator input needed. This new process helps ensure complete accuracy by drilling a hole from one end of the workpiece and repositioning it to drill the other end in the adjacent second spindle. "This automated front and rear collet loading approach is unique to UNISIG and allows for multistep parts to be drilled in a single cycle, eliminating collet removal each time. Odd OD shaped workpieces are easily accommodated and allow the process to continue uninterrupted," said a company spokesperson.

To further enhance the automation process, the control panel is a menu driven touchscreen system that imbeds the robot controls within it for easy, intuitive use. Training and initial operator engagement time with the system is reduced due to the familiar designs of the UNISIG controller menus and prompts.

"Although this high-tech piece of equipment offers speed and intrinsic UNISIG accuracy in its servo driven headstock, it also uses standard, off the shelf components such as the 5C collet and bushing system. This forward-thinking approach means that tooling changes occur within hours, not days," said the spokesperson.

For more information contact:

UNISIG

N58W14630 Shawn Circle

Menomonee Falls, WI 53051

262-252-5151

sales@unisig.com

www.unisig.com

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