Precision engineering company Acro have announced the launch of a new service to provide 3D machining for fast prototype development.

Considering resonant frequency, Index-Werke has redesigned of CNC turning centres to reduce vibration and double the machine structure stiffness to maximise metal removal rates.

Index-Werke noted that the higher the resonant frequency (RF) of a machine tool’s structure, the greater is its inherent stiffness.

Consequently it becomes more difficult for machining forces to induce vibration.

So Index has redesigned its patented SpeedLine C-type CNC mill-turning centres to increase their RF above that of all other lathes on the market.

Geo Kingsbury Machine Tools, launched the machines in the UK at the recent MACH 2008 machine tool exhibition.

Using the RF measure, the Index C-type lathes are over twice as stiff, or rigid, than the existing Index G-series models of equivalent capacity.

The company said that there is more scope for finding the ’sweet spot’ for any combination of toolholder, cutter and workpiece material.

The design allows depth of cut to be increased for maximum metal removal rate.

* Improved surface finish - as well as increasing productivity, the increased rigidity and lower machine tool vibration also ensure good surface finish of the machined part, said Index, as well as prolonging tool life and reducing noise.

Index said that better damping leads to higher accuracy machining, even for strenuous applications involving intermittent hard turning and reaming.

The SpeedLine C-type 42mm and 65mm bar automatics, when launched in 2005, were the first in the world to replace conventional compound turret slides with two interconnected steel plates sliding directly over the machine bed.

The recent redesign of the range has seen these machines improved and two new models introduced with 30mm and 90mm bar capacities.

The defining characteristic of the lathes that provides such high RF and stiffness hinges on the actuation of the turrets.

Each is mounted on a front plate while an interconnected rear retaining plate is driven kinematically from behind the machine bed.

The critical advantage is that the distance between the turret centreline and the point at which it is driven is much shorter than for a compound slide.

Up to 14 tools can be used in each of the three turrets in the following manner.

* Turret 1 moves in X-,Y- and Z-axis above the spindle centreline and works at the main spindle.

* Turret 2 mounted below the spindles operates in X-, Y- and Z-axis at either end.

* The motion of upper turret 3 is restricted to the X-axis and works only with the counter spindle, which moves in the Z-axis.

Three tools can be in cut simultaneously for high productivity.

There are two sizes of machine frame, designated C100 and C200.

The former is the ‘host’ for the 30mm and 42mm bar capacity spindles and the latter (shown at MACH 2008) is for the 65mm and 90mm spindles.

Distance between the main and counter spindles is 510mm and 710mm respectively.

All models are fast, with 1G acceleration in X- and Z-axis up to 60m/min for the smaller machines and 50m/min for the larger models.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/kmt/kmt212.html

Denford routers are the preferred manufacturing centre for the F1 in schools technology challenge, a high school competition created by not-for-profit organisation Re-Engineering Australia Foundation involving more than 35,000 students across the nation. Students as young as 13 are designing futuristic racers in CATIA then machining them in Denford routers.

Made in England, the Denford routers are quiet, fast and classroom-friendly which makes them suitable for universities, TAFEs, schools and training centres. At the same time they are suitable for industry. Their high performance motors are capable of continuous machining in a range of materials for jobs like prototyping of finished products, moulds, low volume production runs leaving larger CNC machines for more complex parts or bigger production runs.

The range Denford compact CNC routers include:

COMPACT 1000/1000 PRO, a compact 3 axis CNC Router with totally enclosed interlocking guard, is suitable for cutting a range of resistant materials such as hard and soft wood, plastic, modeling foam, acrylic, PCB’s and prototyping materials. In addition, the Compact 1000 Pro can cut non-ferrous metals.

2600/2600 PRO, a large capacity 3 axis CNC Router with totally enclosed interlocking guard, suitable, is suitable for cutting a range of resistant materials such as hard and soft wood, plastic, modelling foam, acrylic, PCB’s and prototyping materials. In addition, the 2600 Pro can cut non-ferrous metals.

PCB manufacturer/engraver, an easy to use 3 axis CNC PCB and engraving machine with totally-enclosed guarding. The PCB engraver is supplied with operating software incorporating Gerber and DXF import facilities suitable for cutting and engraving a range of resistant materials, including copper board, plastic and acrylic.

Turn 270 CNC Lathe, a compact 2 axis CNC Lathe with totally enclosed high-visibility interlocking guard. Programmable spindle speeds and feedrates make the Turn 270 suitable for cutting a range of resistant materials such as wax, plastic, acrylic, free cutting alloys, aluminium and steel.

VMC 1300 CNC milling machine, a 3 axis CNC milling machine available either floor standing or for bench mounting, with totally enclosed high visibility interlocking guard. Programmable spindle speeds and feedrates make the VMC 1300 suitable for cutting a range of resistant materials such as wax, plastic, acrylic, free cutting alloys, aluminium and steel.
http://www.ferret.com.au/c/Concentric-Asia-Pacific/Denford-compact-CNC-routers-available-from-Concentric-Asia-Pacific-n837468

The Automatic Tool Changer reduces the time a project must remain on the machine by automatically changing cutting bits between cuts, thus eliminating the need for the CNC operator to change and calibrate tools by hand.

04.09.2009 – ShopBot Tools, a world leader in the design, manufacture and sale of affordable, high-performance CNC systems, has introduced an automatic tool changer as an option for their professional/industrial line of CNC systems.

ShopBot’s automatic tool changer (ATC) is powered by an HSD ES915 5hp spindle and is being sold as an option or an after-market addition to their PRSalpha CNC system. The ATC system includes the spindle, a pneumatically assisted Z axis, six or eight-position tool bank, fixed-position Z-zero plate, chuck holder, pneumatically operated dust skirt and ATC interface card. A four-foot-wide PRSalpha CNC can accommodate a six-position linear tool bank to hold cutters for the ATC, and a five-foot-wide or larger PRSalpha can accommodate an eight-position linear tool bank. Installation of an ATC on a PRSalpha will not alter the tool’s rapid transit speeds of 1,500 inches per minute and cutting speeds of up to 600 inches per minute. ShopBot’s new eCabinet/ShopBot link, which allows ShopBot’s to process eCabinet production files, will fully support the use of this new ATC.

“Many of our current and future customers have asked us for an affordable, easy to use automatic tool changer,” said ShopBot president Ted Hall. “We listened to their suggestions, and we’ve designed an accessory that is powerful and robust and maintains the ShopBot philosophy of combining the best features of quality, value and ease of use.”

The Automatic Tool Changer reduces the time a project must remain on the machine by automatically changing cutting bits between cuts, thus eliminating the need for the CNC operator to change and calibrate tools by hand. The ATC allows the PRSalpha to cut complete projects where different tooling is required to make different types of cuts – like cabinets and furniture – or where different bits are needed for roughing and finishing passes – like signs and complex 3D carvings. Additionally, a machine equipped with an ATC the can perform operations normally done on other pieces of equipment eliminating the need for additional machines in the shop.

http://www.pitchengine.com/shopbottoolsinc/shopbot-introduces-automatic-tool-changer-for-its-

cnc-router-systems/8383/

New Hyde Park, NY - Techno, Inc. CNC Routers announced the introduction of the Pro Series CNC Router to their current product line of CNC machining solutions. Designed to meet the high demands of panel process manufacturing, the Pro Series is constructed of large heavy tubing that is both welded and stress-relieved, the perfect foundation for Techno’s precision drive system. Also comprised of precision ball screw drives on all three axes, THK rails and bearings, high-speed closed-loop servomotor and drives, the Pro Series drive system ensures minimal maintenance, machine longevity and superior machine performance.

Techno’s New Pro Series is available in a variety of standard sizes ranging from 4 ft x 8 ft through 6 ft x 20 ft. “We are welcoming special sizes and customization requests with this model because we understand that size and usage vary from shop to shop,” says CNC Router Sales Manager, Roy Valentine. “The Pro Series machine can be equipped with a variety of spindle options including automatic tool changer, collet spindles, drill banks, or multi-spindle setup for high volume part production. Multiple zone vacuum table, reverse engineering lasers, and 4th axis rotary tables are just some of the additional accessories compatible with this new machine.”

Additionally, the New Pro Series’ machine features a CNC Servo G-Code Interface that is both easy to learn and operate. This Windows-based interface is a fully comprehensive CNC program that includes unique high-end features such as toolpath preview with viewing tools and adjustable screens, built in G-Code editor, machine speed and spindle rpm override, X/Y axis orientation swapping, program skip ahead (in case of tool breakage), built in basic nesting, and production logging.

For more information, visit www.technocnc.com.