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Compact design for small part production

The Hermle C12 machining center comes in a compact size for precision production of small parts. Engineered with a compact polymer concrete base, the C12 provides dynamic, simultaneous, 5-axis processing of workpieces up to 100kg. There are three guideways on the machine with one guide shoe for force balance. The swiveling range of the NC rotary table is -115° to 115°. The machine features optimized swarf ejection in the working area during dry machining.

The C12 can be equipped with two-piece or compact spindles, and all spindles can be easily replaced in case of failure. Spindles are available in four different speed ranges and a choice of tooling platforms, making them suitable for a wide variety of machining tasks.

The tool magazine holds up to 36 tools in the standard version, integrated into the machine bed to save space. An optional second tool magazine ring can be integrated without the requirement for additional footprint of the machine, increasing the number of available tools to 71.

In addition, a Heidenhain TNC 640 CNC control unit can be equipped on the C12.
 

Hermle Machine Co. LLC
www.hermlemachine.com

 

Clamping system for small parts

The VERO-S SPM-138 diaphragm clamping system allows users to machine the contour of a workpiece in the SPM unit. When the VERO-S module is engaged with the Turbo function, the SPM-138 unit clamps evenly around the outside of the part. The system can clamp workpiece sizes from 36mm to 125mm and generate clamping forces up to 50kN.

The same combined unit clamps small workpieces with the SPM Plus 138 top plate as well as pallets, clamping stations, existing fixtures, and tombstones with one or more clamping pins. The radial-aligned clamping slides of the quick-change pallet system pulls in the clamping pin and locks it, retracting the diaphragm top plate to hold the workpiece with up to 50kN of force and a repeat accuracy of 0.0002". The VERO-S is compatible and interchangeable with SCHUNK’s previous pallet system, and the clamping pins work universally across the new line. Workpieces can be transferred from machine to machine or to a CMM accurately and seamlessly. Hardened stainless steel is used for all the functional components of the VERO-S, including base body, clamping pin, and clamping slide, increasing the module’s life and reliability, and reducing maintenance.
 

SCHUNK
www.schunk.com

 

Flexible modular automation

The System 3R Transformer is a modular automation system designed to integrate with a wide variety of technologies. Manufacturers can begin by automating a single machine and easily expand to include up to 12 machines within the cell.

A Transformer cell accommodates a wide range of machining technologies and allows components from different manufacturers to be included within the same cell. This open architecture allows end users to create an automation cell where each individual component decision is optimized, instead of having choice constrained by compatibility.

A wide range of System 3R tooling systems allows palletization of workpieces and electrodes of a large range of sizes. The Transformer system can handle all of these, as well as different tooling systems, allowing it to be incorporated into production systems with existing tooling systems.

The Transformer system provides user-friendly cell management software where all production data is entered in a structured manner or imported through a data exchange interface for major enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. The software then controls every aspect of the cell, from automatically loading jobs to machines to recording and monitoring cycle times for each job. The core of the system is an efficient database that uses chip identification of the pallets to ensure that correct data is used for every part in the cell.
 

GF Machining Solutions
www.gfms.com/us

November December 2014
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