INTEGRATION
MAKINO
CELL INTEGRATION
J3 automated cell featured at IMTS
2006
MASON,
OH--September 2006--The impact of increasing foreign competition and global pricing
pressures has caused U.S. manufacturers to reexamine the way that they make
production parts. By turning towards all levels of automation,
manufacturers can reduce labor costs, increase throughput, ensure part quality
and repeatability, and remain flexible to adapt to quickly changing volumes,
designs and products.
Makino
provides single source integration to its customers, serving as a “one-stop
shop” for turnkey engineering and complete production system solutions. For
more than a decade, Makino project, mechanical, controls and applications
engineers have provided operations with the machinery, skills and solutions
necessary to effectively implement automation processes.
Visit Booth
# 8301 in Hall A of the South Building during the 2006 International Manufacturing
Technology Show (IMTS) at McCormick
Place in Chicago,
Illinois, September 6 through 13 to
learn more about this and other technological innovations.
Also plan
to visit Booth # D-4110 in the EDM Pavilion at IMTS to see demonstration on EDM
automation and integration equipment and processes that meet the demand for
micro-dimensions and ultra-high precision.
Automation
and Integration Solutions
Automation technologies have been shown to decrease costs through shorter lead
times, reduced setups, reduced scrap rates and lower direct and indirect labor
costs. This is done while increasing productivity and providing greater
flexibility for rapid response in part demand or design.
These
process solutions can range in scope from a single machine to large
manufacturing systems containing machining centers, fixtures, conveyors, robot
and gantry loaders, automated assembly and inspection equipment, parts washers
and part marking.
J3
HMC Cell
At IMTS 2006, Makino’s automation and integration will be showcased via several
lean cells, including a cell with two J3 horizontal machining centers--a setup
ideally suited for high-volume production parts.
The J3 has
state-of-the-art functions supporting high efficiency. It can reduce
overall costs by machining faster than most HMCs, due to its high speed spindle
and superior acceleration/deceleration.
The featured
demonstration will include two J3 high speed horizontal machining centers in a
lean cellular manufacturing operation. Both machines are equipped with two-face
machining, which allows for uninterrupted cutting, and hydraulic rotary
couplings that energize the fixtures from the under-side of the tombstone.
There are no manual couplings involved, which typically require a great deal of
maintenance.
In the
cell, parts will be machined in a sequential process. A Fanuc robot picks parts
from an input conveyor and loads the first operation. Upon completion, the part
is automatically picked and placed to the second machine for the final
operation, then finished parts are robot loaded to the output conveyor.
The robot is equipped with quick change grippers to facilitate part handling
and enhance the flexibility of the system.
The
demonstration illustrates the value of highly automated, practically
implemented systems for medium to high volume part production. Additionally,
the cell includes a controller and all necessary software and hardware
communications to run extended hours with no manual intervention, allowing for
a substantial labor cost reduction.
Essential
monitoring and sensing systems are integrated into the process to provide error
checking and error proofing. Unlike manual part loading, the robot cannot feel
or see the part into the fixture. Even tool seating detection is monitored
automatically to ensure process reliability.
The
J3
The “stacked axis” design of the J3 horizontal machining center makes it ideal
for integration of part feeder systems. There are no physical limitations in
the front of the machine to complicate integration design, and the small
footprint of the J3 allows it to fit in a small area of the shop.
Non-cutting
time is further reduced due to fast automatic tool changing and quick table
index times. This can reduce the number of machines needed, reducing overall
capital investment.
The J3
offers superb accuracy and agility, while often achieving 10 percent or more
reduction in machining times versus other traditional modern machining centers.
It has been designed with many features in order to improve overall reliability
and reduce maintenance, such as a reduction of components in the tool
changer and spindle/ram assembly and a chip disposal system with an inclined
oil pan and shortened coolant trough to quickly remove chips and heat.
Makino is a global provider of advanced machining technology and
application support, where new thinking takes shape for the
metalcutting and die/mold industries. Makino manufacturing and service
centers are located in the United States, Japan, Germany, Singapore,
Italy, France, Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, China, Mexico, Brazil and India,
and are supported by a worldwide distributor network. For more
information call 1.800.552.3288, or visit www.makino.com.
# # #
For
additional releases and media information, visit www.makino.com/media.
Makino
logo: JPG
Media Contact
Brandon Rhoten
HSR Business to Business
513.346.3588
makino@hsr.com