High Speed Machining Precision Tooling - Indobiz.biz

Technology for Improving
Five-Axis Capability
With fi ve-axis in place, it’s time
to look at the advantages of
investing in new software
technology to improve processes, new
approaches to part setup and the factors
to consider before your purchase.
If you have already embraced fi ve-axis
machining, the following article will
provide information about new software
technology developed to improve
processes and illustrate examples of
new approaches to part setup that might
make your shop more productive. If you
haven’t taken the fi ve-axis leap, this
article will illuminate the advantages of
investing in such technology and things
to consider before your purchase.
Measure Twice. Cut Once
Even though it is considered the
carpenter’s mantra, the gist of the
saying, “Measure twice. Cut once,” is
applicable—spend more time thinking,
preparing and planning instead of
rushing to make chips.
it. The key to peak effi ciency is fi nding
the sweet spot—at what number of parts
is the investment in a palette changing
system worthwhile.
Also, evaluating whether it’s more
effective to machine a part from a
billet versus castings can increase
productivity—one customer found
machining from a billet not only saved
time and money, but gave them more
control over deliverables. By machining
the part from a billet, the customer
eliminated delays due to leadtimes for
the castings and saved time/money on
storing the castings.
Obviously, upgrading your equipment
can provide greater effi ciency. The trick
is to fi gure out how quickly you will see
the return on your investment. One
customer analyzed his primary part
numbers and discovered that upgrading
to a machine with faster feedrates and
more torque would cut cycle time in half
on his biggest job—from three hours to
one hour and 30 minutes.
Technology Solution: Software
Designed to Solve Problems
Beyond the machine specifi cations,
technology benefi ts reside in the
control’s software—features that were
designed to solve problems and help
you be more effi cient.
Multiple Part-Zero Setups
For instance, even an uncomplicated
part that is fi ve-sided requires multiple
part-zero setups. A software feature
called transform part zero (see Figure 1)
reduces setup time and eliminates the
hassle of setting up part zero fi ve times.
The technology does the work so you
can start making chips. You just need to
locate one part zero and the remaining
part zero locations can be defi ned as
incremental measurements from the
original location. Additionally, you can
still program the geometry on each of
the sides if you’re programming in an XY
plane.
Sometimes the most inexpensive way
to fi nd productivity is to take the time to
evaluate each job. Chart 1 shows that
24 percent of a job’s capacity is spent
on fi xturing. To increase effi ciency,
some shops try to minimize time spent
on fi xturing by using a row of vises and
then fl ipping each part into the next vise.
Other shops opt for the more effi cient
index table, but the operator is still
required to handle the part to refi xture
Change of
Fixture 24%
Other 3%
Change Work
Piece 16% Tool Change 7%
Machining 50%
Chart 1 – capacity chart
26
indometalworking news Vol. 2 / 2008