Datalogic's VS8000 is a device for object volume measurement representing a valid alternative to traditional automatic measurement systems for materials handling applications.
With Datalogic's VS8000 Dimensioning systems are becomingmore and more popular among parcel carriers and postal servicesaround the world. Goods are becoming lighter, and containers andtrucks are more often full before becoming too heavy. Volume, notweight is increasingly becoming the limiting factor.
The same istrue for warehouses where capacity is given in volume andconveyor systems are more often limited by volume rather than byweight.
In this scenario, traditional weight-based tariff systemsare no longer appropriate and carriers and postal services areincreasingly adopting volume based price tariffs.
Whereverparcels in different sizes, shapes and weight are collected,transported, stored and distributed, cost-effectiveness dependson achieving the optimal utilisation of the available space forwarehousing and of equipment for transportation.
Accuratelyestablishing the size of the various packages is always thebiggest bottleneck in parcel handling.
Datalogic's solutionis the VS8000 - a device for object volume measurementrepresenting a valid alternative to traditional automaticmeasurement systems for materials handling applications.
Based onthe mechanical and optical architecture of Datalogic'sDS8100 laser scanner, the VS8000 scans at speeds of up to 2000scans per second and covers a standard measurement area of 800mmx 800mm, providing an extremely fast and reliable dimensions andvolume estimation of objects moving along the conveyor.
The veryhigh scan speed and real time processing features allow beltspeeds of up to 5 metres per second, enabling the gap betweenparcels to be reduced to only 50mm.
The VS8000 can be rapidlyintegrated in omni-directional reading stations, with nomodifications to existing structures.
Set-up is fast and easywith the intuitive Monitor Configuration Program.
With theVS8000, Datalogic offers an excellent alternative to existingdimensioning systems.
The VS8000 is more cost-effective andeasier to use and install than traditional measurement systemsand, above all, makes new process automation and optimisationcapabilities available to all materials handling operators.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
HMC undergoes a second rebuild
A heavy duty Cincinnati HMC has been rebuilt again,this time employing the capabilities of Renishaw's calibration and machine tool performance testing systems.
HMC undergoes a second rebuild In 1989, Leeds-based Dana Spicerneeded a large, heavy duty CNC machining centre, to mill, drill,and bore the ends of 2-metre long axle beams, for heavy off-roadvehicles. The ideal machine, with a bed length of 5-metres, wouldallow pendulum machining, thereby increasing production. However,new machines of this type were costly and resulted in the companyapproaching rebuild specialist Murrall and Lang for a solution.Ten years later, it was 'd�j� vu' for theBirmingham-based company, when it welcomed the opportunity toonce again re-manufacture the machine, but this time employingthe capabilities of Renishaw's calibration and machine toolperformance testing systems.
Murrall and Lang had alreadymodified a 2-metre machining centre to accommodate pendulummachining in the summer of 1989 and convinced Dana Spicer of thecost benefits.
With a contract signed, a Cincinnati 20HC 2500(2.5 metre) travelling-column horizontal machining centre wasfound in the USA that would machine these parts, if equipped witha suitable front base.
The volume of the axle components dictatedthat a pallet shuttle system would be economic, allowingunloading and loading whilst machining continued.
To accommodatethis, Murrall and Lang designed a special shuttle table with twoindex tables and fixtures, and a CNC movement of 2.5m from oneposition to the other.
Suitable guarding protected the operator.Therefore, in addition to the usual horizontal axes of X(2500mm), Y (1000mm) and Z (600mm) and the shuttle axis, themachine has two indexing axes giving a total of 6 CNC axes.
Thisconfiguration was arrived at after joint discussions when themachine was first modified in 1990.
After producing axles fornearly a decade and having questioned the ability to maintain themachine, Dana Spicer - having once again considered new products,which still proved very costly - decided to have the machinere-manufactured by Murrall and Lang for a second time.
Havingexperienced the benefits of Renishaw's QC10 ballbar systemsin the 1990's, Murrall and Lang had no hesitation inutilising this technology and purchasing Renishaw's ML10laser calibration system to aid the re-manufacture 'asnew', of the Cincinatti HMC for a second time.
Partner, BobMurrall explained.
'We had successfully produced a machineto Dana Spicer's tolerance specifications in 1990 using asecond-hand Hewlett Packard (HP) calibration system.
Today, HPequipment is neither cost-effective nor comparable to thetechnological capabilities of the Renishaw systems.''It was our experience of the QC10 ballbar system, that ledus to invest in the ML10 laser calibration equipment,' addedMr Murrall.
'The ballbar is so reliable, it automaticallyidentifies, quantifies and prioritises machine tool errors.
Inseeing it used here, many of our customers, including DanaSpicer, have subsequently invested in the technology.' TheY2K re-manufacturing process included a complete mechanicalrebuild, with all worn parts being reconditioned or replaced, acomplete rewiring, the fitting of new digital axis and spindledrives, and a new Siemens 840D CNC control.
The process took lessthan six months and fully met customer specification.
To improvereliability, the customer wanted to maintain accuracy by axiscalibration and compensation.
This required the use of theRenishaw laser calibration system; part of Murrall andLang's quality control system.
'When you arere-manufacturing a machine, your alignments should be well withinachievable levels of adjustment, allowing the alignments set bythe original manufacturer to be achieved.
In fact, the QC10ballbar and ML10 laser system allow us to achieve tightertolerances than was possible when the machine was firstmanufactured.
Whatever we attain here, we can reproduce at thecustomers' premises.
The Renishaw ML10 laser calibrationsystem is portable, easy to use and has built-in temperaturecompensation, allowing our customers to machine components farmore accurately than once possible,' continued Mr Murrall.At Dana Spicer, the 20hp Cincinnati machine, with spindle speedsof 3300rpm, is fed by two 30-tool chain-based magazines.
Axlebeams are machined from forgings which tend to vary in size dueto the forging process.
To obtain the best metal conditions, oncethe component is mounted in the fixture, a spindle mountedRenishaw MP700 high accuracy probe is used to check length androtation.
Corrections are applied automatically to find thecomponent centre, and if necessary to rotate the programdimensions, so as to produce the best component from the forging.'The rebuild option allows a company to purchase a specificmachine at a third of the cost of a new machine.
HMC undergoes a second rebuild In 1989, Leeds-based Dana Spicerneeded a large, heavy duty CNC machining centre, to mill, drill,and bore the ends of 2-metre long axle beams, for heavy off-roadvehicles. The ideal machine, with a bed length of 5-metres, wouldallow pendulum machining, thereby increasing production. However,new machines of this type were costly and resulted in the companyapproaching rebuild specialist Murrall and Lang for a solution.Ten years later, it was 'd�j� vu' for theBirmingham-based company, when it welcomed the opportunity toonce again re-manufacture the machine, but this time employingthe capabilities of Renishaw's calibration and machine toolperformance testing systems.
Murrall and Lang had alreadymodified a 2-metre machining centre to accommodate pendulummachining in the summer of 1989 and convinced Dana Spicer of thecost benefits.
With a contract signed, a Cincinnati 20HC 2500(2.5 metre) travelling-column horizontal machining centre wasfound in the USA that would machine these parts, if equipped witha suitable front base.
The volume of the axle components dictatedthat a pallet shuttle system would be economic, allowingunloading and loading whilst machining continued.
To accommodatethis, Murrall and Lang designed a special shuttle table with twoindex tables and fixtures, and a CNC movement of 2.5m from oneposition to the other.
Suitable guarding protected the operator.Therefore, in addition to the usual horizontal axes of X(2500mm), Y (1000mm) and Z (600mm) and the shuttle axis, themachine has two indexing axes giving a total of 6 CNC axes.
Thisconfiguration was arrived at after joint discussions when themachine was first modified in 1990.
After producing axles fornearly a decade and having questioned the ability to maintain themachine, Dana Spicer - having once again considered new products,which still proved very costly - decided to have the machinere-manufactured by Murrall and Lang for a second time.
Havingexperienced the benefits of Renishaw's QC10 ballbar systemsin the 1990's, Murrall and Lang had no hesitation inutilising this technology and purchasing Renishaw's ML10laser calibration system to aid the re-manufacture 'asnew', of the Cincinatti HMC for a second time.
Partner, BobMurrall explained.
'We had successfully produced a machineto Dana Spicer's tolerance specifications in 1990 using asecond-hand Hewlett Packard (HP) calibration system.
Today, HPequipment is neither cost-effective nor comparable to thetechnological capabilities of the Renishaw systems.''It was our experience of the QC10 ballbar system, that ledus to invest in the ML10 laser calibration equipment,' addedMr Murrall.
'The ballbar is so reliable, it automaticallyidentifies, quantifies and prioritises machine tool errors.
Inseeing it used here, many of our customers, including DanaSpicer, have subsequently invested in the technology.' TheY2K re-manufacturing process included a complete mechanicalrebuild, with all worn parts being reconditioned or replaced, acomplete rewiring, the fitting of new digital axis and spindledrives, and a new Siemens 840D CNC control.
The process took lessthan six months and fully met customer specification.
To improvereliability, the customer wanted to maintain accuracy by axiscalibration and compensation.
This required the use of theRenishaw laser calibration system; part of Murrall andLang's quality control system.
'When you arere-manufacturing a machine, your alignments should be well withinachievable levels of adjustment, allowing the alignments set bythe original manufacturer to be achieved.
In fact, the QC10ballbar and ML10 laser system allow us to achieve tightertolerances than was possible when the machine was firstmanufactured.
Whatever we attain here, we can reproduce at thecustomers' premises.
The Renishaw ML10 laser calibrationsystem is portable, easy to use and has built-in temperaturecompensation, allowing our customers to machine components farmore accurately than once possible,' continued Mr Murrall.At Dana Spicer, the 20hp Cincinnati machine, with spindle speedsof 3300rpm, is fed by two 30-tool chain-based magazines.
Axlebeams are machined from forgings which tend to vary in size dueto the forging process.
To obtain the best metal conditions, oncethe component is mounted in the fixture, a spindle mountedRenishaw MP700 high accuracy probe is used to check length androtation.
Corrections are applied automatically to find thecomponent centre, and if necessary to rotate the programdimensions, so as to produce the best component from the forging.'The rebuild option allows a company to purchase a specificmachine at a third of the cost of a new machine.
Thursday, January 4, 2007
CNC universal grinder can mill and drill
ANCA will debut its latest development, the TX7+Xchanger at the IMTS exhibition in September. The new machine has been designed with extensive customer input and incorporates an ANCA TX7+ universal grinder with a wheel pack exchanging system and magazine. The magazine holds 16 wheel packs instead of the customary two only found on most CNC grinders, which means the operator now has up to 64 wheels to select from.
This expanded selection holds productivity and cost-saving benefits for companies seeking to maximise automation in mass production of cutting tools or grind complex components that require several different wheel packs to complete.
Having multiple wheel packs set up in the Xchanger magazine provides several new benefits not possible with most grinding machines including the following.
* Immediate follow-on in mass production when the wheel pack needs to be changed due to wheel wear.
This means longer unmanned operation can be achieved.
* No downtime to change wheel packs when switching from one tool type to another, increasing production flexibility.
* Improved occupational health and safety conditions for operators as manual handling of wheel packs is reduced.
This limits exposure to oil and carbide and handling of heavy wheel packs.
* Minimal downtime to set up wheel packs as coolant manifolds and pipes are changed with the wheel pack.
Set-up is done off the machine in a set-up rig, which means production does not have to be interrupted.
All of this adds up to the possibilities of extended unmanned operation, which will deliver greater levels of productivity and lower-cost tools without compromise on precision.
To further increase the flexibility of the TX7+Xchanger, ANCA also built in milling capability.
Tools such as drills and endmills are driven by the spindle using standard Big Plus wheel arbours.
As the milling tools are also stored in the magazine and therefore also changed automatically, features such as holes, keyways and dovetails prove no problem for the TX7+Xchanger.
Although the new machine will be the flagship of ANCA's IMTS exhibit, it will certainly not be on its own.
Other products on show will include the following.
* TapX dedicated tap grinding machine, which can manufacture a complete tap.
* CLX compact loader, which provides an economical automated solution.
* iQual automatical wheel qualification system.
* iView tool measurement and compensation system.
* RX7 compact grinder demonstrating small diameter grinding and the VCS Precision V-block clamp and steady.
* About ANCA - ANCA is an Australian owned company that was founded in 1974 to design and manufacture high technology Computer Numerical Controls (CNCs) for the machine tool and metal-based industries.
Today, ANCA has become a world leading designer and manufacturer of complete, high precision grinding machines competing in a global niche market.
With its core values of precision, innovation, quality and technological excellence, ANCA is today an international organisation of more than 300 employees in 12 countries, with a robust set of technological and entrepreneurial skills.
Offices are located in major cities in Europe, North America and Asia; with dealerships represented in over 25 countries.
This expanded selection holds productivity and cost-saving benefits for companies seeking to maximise automation in mass production of cutting tools or grind complex components that require several different wheel packs to complete.
Having multiple wheel packs set up in the Xchanger magazine provides several new benefits not possible with most grinding machines including the following.
* Immediate follow-on in mass production when the wheel pack needs to be changed due to wheel wear.
This means longer unmanned operation can be achieved.
* No downtime to change wheel packs when switching from one tool type to another, increasing production flexibility.
* Improved occupational health and safety conditions for operators as manual handling of wheel packs is reduced.
This limits exposure to oil and carbide and handling of heavy wheel packs.
* Minimal downtime to set up wheel packs as coolant manifolds and pipes are changed with the wheel pack.
Set-up is done off the machine in a set-up rig, which means production does not have to be interrupted.
All of this adds up to the possibilities of extended unmanned operation, which will deliver greater levels of productivity and lower-cost tools without compromise on precision.
To further increase the flexibility of the TX7+Xchanger, ANCA also built in milling capability.
Tools such as drills and endmills are driven by the spindle using standard Big Plus wheel arbours.
As the milling tools are also stored in the magazine and therefore also changed automatically, features such as holes, keyways and dovetails prove no problem for the TX7+Xchanger.
Although the new machine will be the flagship of ANCA's IMTS exhibit, it will certainly not be on its own.
Other products on show will include the following.
* TapX dedicated tap grinding machine, which can manufacture a complete tap.
* CLX compact loader, which provides an economical automated solution.
* iQual automatical wheel qualification system.
* iView tool measurement and compensation system.
* RX7 compact grinder demonstrating small diameter grinding and the VCS Precision V-block clamp and steady.
* About ANCA - ANCA is an Australian owned company that was founded in 1974 to design and manufacture high technology Computer Numerical Controls (CNCs) for the machine tool and metal-based industries.
Today, ANCA has become a world leading designer and manufacturer of complete, high precision grinding machines competing in a global niche market.
With its core values of precision, innovation, quality and technological excellence, ANCA is today an international organisation of more than 300 employees in 12 countries, with a robust set of technological and entrepreneurial skills.
Offices are located in major cities in Europe, North America and Asia; with dealerships represented in over 25 countries.
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Low-cost dust extractors introduced for grinders
Low-cost dust extractors introduced for grinders Low-cost dust extractors for an extensive range of metal grinding machines feature electronic start and stop delay and there is an optional motor brake for decelerating the grinding machine. In order to meet customers' requests, 'Flott' has developed two new low-cost dust extractors for the extensive range of metal grinding machines. The metal dust extractor MA 400 D has been designed for connecting to a 400V power supply and extracting dust from three-phase AC machines, whilst the metal dust extractor MA 200 W has been specifically designed for 230V operation.
Dust is extracted through two transparent PU spiral hoses with a diameter of 50 mm.
The extracted air is filtered via a progressively compacted, matted non-woven fleece (filter class G3 according to EN 779), which features not only a high degree of separation but also has a high dust storage capacity.
The change intervals for the filter insert were thus reduced considerably.
Both metal dust extractors feature electronic start and stop delay; they may be equipped with an optional motor brake for decelerating the machine connected to the unit.
Flott design engineers have attributed considerable importance to quick and easy attachment to the grinding machine.
As a result, it is no longer necessary to wire up the units separately.
The machine is bolted to the metal dust extractor, the plug is inserted in the socket to be used and the two suction hoses are connected up.
Dust is extracted through two transparent PU spiral hoses with a diameter of 50 mm.
The extracted air is filtered via a progressively compacted, matted non-woven fleece (filter class G3 according to EN 779), which features not only a high degree of separation but also has a high dust storage capacity.
The change intervals for the filter insert were thus reduced considerably.
Both metal dust extractors feature electronic start and stop delay; they may be equipped with an optional motor brake for decelerating the machine connected to the unit.
Flott design engineers have attributed considerable importance to quick and easy attachment to the grinding machine.
As a result, it is no longer necessary to wire up the units separately.
The machine is bolted to the metal dust extractor, the plug is inserted in the socket to be used and the two suction hoses are connected up.
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Touch screen cylindrical grinder has CNC benefits
Jones and Shipman is showing at IMTS its new Suprema 'Easy' controlled cylindrical grinder a machine specifically aimed at manufacturers who believe they cannot afford to invest in CNC. Designed and produced at the company's Leicester, UK site, the all-new range is easy to use, fast to set up, versatile, and very competitively priced. Accuracy and repeatability are assured; changeover times are minimised because most operator intervention, normally necessary, has been removed by simple but sophisticated software.
The range replaces traditional CNC, microprocessor and hydraulically controlled machines as it retains a conventional layout and operating style.
Offering productivity advantages in areas such as aerospace, mold and die, automotive, medical, etc, the Suprema has particular benefits for medium/short batch work or even one-offs because of the ease and speed of change-over.
Combining the benefits of CNC with traditionally styled operation, it is easy to use even for operators unfamiliar with CNC grinding.
A major advantage of the new Suprema range is the incorporation of a GE-Fanuc Touchscreen control system utilising Jones and Shipman's easy-to-use proprietary self-teach software.
This powerful but simple multi-axis control system combination enables an inexperienced operator to quickly progress from manual single diameter applications to linked cycle/multi diameter single or batch operations.
The Suprema comes complete with embeded software to undertake single or multiple diameter and face grinding, plus dressing of left or right hand facing wheels and the ability to easily form dress profiles and vee forms without additional form dressing attachments.
Additional features such as taper traverse grind, contour grind and easy down/up load to and from PDA, PC, or Network are also included, as are Heidenhain 'Absolute' nano scales for both axes.
A second level of optional software provides solutions, through a grinding-specific PC-based CAD cam software suite which also accepts DXF files, and converts them into grinding or dressing programs incorporating features such as rapid wheel profiling, on screen simulations, collision detection etc Up-grades between software levels is easy and enables users to respond to changes in their work-profile and to develop their own expertise at their own pace.
The range is available in two grinding capacities of 12in x 25in or 12n x 40in (300mm x 650mm or 300mm x 1000mm) and is offered with plain/straight approach wheelhead or three-wheel universal swivelling wheelhead options.
The Suprema is a robustly constructed, one piece Tee bed design.
High geometrical accuracy is ensured by direct-coupled digital AC servo motors and rotary encoders from GE-Fanuc.
Hand-scraped Vee and Flat slideways are provided for the cast machine table underslide.
A high precision twin Vee configuration is used for the wheelhead backslide.
The air purged combined live and dead centre swivel base workhead contains high precision tapered roller bearings for stiffness.
It incorporates a synchronous belt variable speed drive that allows direct programmed speed (rev/min) or constant surface speed (CSS m/s) of the workpiece.
A robust lever operated plain bearing tailstock is provided as standard with a high accuracy taper correction tailstock available as an option.
Philosophy and architecture of the new range is complementary to other Touchscreen controlled machines in the Jones and Shipman portfolio, ensuring operators can switch between machines easily and without additional training.
'The Suprema is another important step forward for Jones and Shipman, and reflects both our ongoing and innovative approach to grinding and our commitment to produce competitively priced products.
The range replaces traditional CNC, microprocessor and hydraulically controlled machines as it retains a conventional layout and operating style.
Offering productivity advantages in areas such as aerospace, mold and die, automotive, medical, etc, the Suprema has particular benefits for medium/short batch work or even one-offs because of the ease and speed of change-over.
Combining the benefits of CNC with traditionally styled operation, it is easy to use even for operators unfamiliar with CNC grinding.
A major advantage of the new Suprema range is the incorporation of a GE-Fanuc Touchscreen control system utilising Jones and Shipman's easy-to-use proprietary self-teach software.
This powerful but simple multi-axis control system combination enables an inexperienced operator to quickly progress from manual single diameter applications to linked cycle/multi diameter single or batch operations.
The Suprema comes complete with embeded software to undertake single or multiple diameter and face grinding, plus dressing of left or right hand facing wheels and the ability to easily form dress profiles and vee forms without additional form dressing attachments.
Additional features such as taper traverse grind, contour grind and easy down/up load to and from PDA, PC, or Network are also included, as are Heidenhain 'Absolute' nano scales for both axes.
A second level of optional software provides solutions, through a grinding-specific PC-based CAD cam software suite which also accepts DXF files, and converts them into grinding or dressing programs incorporating features such as rapid wheel profiling, on screen simulations, collision detection etc Up-grades between software levels is easy and enables users to respond to changes in their work-profile and to develop their own expertise at their own pace.
The range is available in two grinding capacities of 12in x 25in or 12n x 40in (300mm x 650mm or 300mm x 1000mm) and is offered with plain/straight approach wheelhead or three-wheel universal swivelling wheelhead options.
The Suprema is a robustly constructed, one piece Tee bed design.
High geometrical accuracy is ensured by direct-coupled digital AC servo motors and rotary encoders from GE-Fanuc.
Hand-scraped Vee and Flat slideways are provided for the cast machine table underslide.
A high precision twin Vee configuration is used for the wheelhead backslide.
The air purged combined live and dead centre swivel base workhead contains high precision tapered roller bearings for stiffness.
It incorporates a synchronous belt variable speed drive that allows direct programmed speed (rev/min) or constant surface speed (CSS m/s) of the workpiece.
A robust lever operated plain bearing tailstock is provided as standard with a high accuracy taper correction tailstock available as an option.
Philosophy and architecture of the new range is complementary to other Touchscreen controlled machines in the Jones and Shipman portfolio, ensuring operators can switch between machines easily and without additional training.
'The Suprema is another important step forward for Jones and Shipman, and reflects both our ongoing and innovative approach to grinding and our commitment to produce competitively priced products.
Monday, January 1, 2007
Creep-feed grinding gets quicker change-over times
The current surface/creepfeed production environment demands high productivity, accuracy and the minimum cycle times associated with CNC grinding. But many components whilst being perfect for CNC are currently machined on conventional machines due to a variety of reasons, such as smaller batch requirements which necessitate more frequent set ups, shortage of operator skills, or no budget for high cost CNC solutions. Jones and Shipman already a major supplier of CNC surface/creepfeed grinders has used this customer feedback to produce a grinder that has the required performance levels and also overcomes these perceived shortfalls of traditional CNC.
This machine, the Dominator 624 Easy, offers quicker changeover times, a very easy to use touchscreen control, is priced lower than traditional CNC and is now available and was shown in the US for the first time at IMTS 2006.
Jones and Shipman's latest model in the combined Surface and Creepfeed grinder market the Dominator 624 Easy, is ideally suited to either short batch or long production runs in industries as diverse as aerospace, automotive, electrical, medical and mold and die.
Control in either 3 or 4 axes gives the precision, repeatability and reliability of traditional CNC, for it employs the same axis motion control elements, precision ballscrews driven by GE-Fanuc AC digital servomotors coupled with 0.000004in (0.01 micron) Heidenhain 'Absolute' linear scale feedback.
However the Dominator Easy is faster and simpler to set up via the GE-Fanuc touchscreen using Jones and Shipman icon based grinding and dressing software.
This provides Easy models with the capabilities to interpolate axes simultaneously to provide precision grinding of complex shapes, angles, radii and surfaces, with quick and easy set-up.
Even operators with little or no CNC knowledge quickly become familiar with the 'self teach' software and are soon able to precision grind complex components as well as more standard multi surface work.
Once set up, fully automatic dressing and grinding cycles permit unmanned operation.
Alternatively as with all 'Easy' controlled models the Dominator can function as a simple manually controlled machine with manual dressing and no set-up procedures.
Completed programs can be simply and quickly uploaded to or downloaded from a PC, PDA or Network as required, using JandS software, for storage or recall.
The Dominator Easy is available as a standard model or can be tailored to suit the requirements of individual applications.
A wide range of optional equipment is also offered, including permanent or electro-permanent magnetic chucks, wheel dressers and rotary indexing units.
Wheel dressing is by table mounted fixed diamonds, diamond disc dresser or via a diamond roll dresser.
Rotary indexing units include inline, vertical or cross table mounting, with tailstock if required.
On start-up, the Easy control offers the operator three simple options: Manual mode, Dress mode or Grind Cycle mode.
In manual mode, the Dominator Easy operates as a simple hand operated machine with control for the table and infeed via an electronic handwheel with position shown via a readout on the touchscreen.
Work speeds and feeds are also easily adjustable via the touchscreen, should the operator wish to set an area grind, or auto downfeed in place of manual movement.
When formed diamond rolls are not used to dress the wheel the operator can access Dress mode which offers five standard wheel shape macro's including flat, slot, facing, Vee form and full ISO with one or two diamond discs.
Dressing increments, speeds and frequency allow for roughing and finishing to optimise wheel performance.
A feature in the full software package is 'intelligent roughing out' of the wheel, - the system can automatically quickly and efficiently 'chop out' the basic form and then finish dress using the exact profile.
Wheel dressing can be initiated In or Out-of-Cycle and Dress-On-Demand for plain or complex wheelforms is standard.
The 'Dress-On-Demand' feature basically means that the operator can press the Dress button at any time and the machine will stop wherever it is, dress the wheel with full compensation and return to continue from where it left off.
Grind mode allows from One to 20 grind cycles to be linked as the complexity of the component dictates from cycles including plunge, multi plunge, area (intermittent or continuous), face grind, plunge and face, multi plunge and face, and plunge and creepfeed with or without taper.
This machine, the Dominator 624 Easy, offers quicker changeover times, a very easy to use touchscreen control, is priced lower than traditional CNC and is now available and was shown in the US for the first time at IMTS 2006.
Jones and Shipman's latest model in the combined Surface and Creepfeed grinder market the Dominator 624 Easy, is ideally suited to either short batch or long production runs in industries as diverse as aerospace, automotive, electrical, medical and mold and die.
Control in either 3 or 4 axes gives the precision, repeatability and reliability of traditional CNC, for it employs the same axis motion control elements, precision ballscrews driven by GE-Fanuc AC digital servomotors coupled with 0.000004in (0.01 micron) Heidenhain 'Absolute' linear scale feedback.
However the Dominator Easy is faster and simpler to set up via the GE-Fanuc touchscreen using Jones and Shipman icon based grinding and dressing software.
This provides Easy models with the capabilities to interpolate axes simultaneously to provide precision grinding of complex shapes, angles, radii and surfaces, with quick and easy set-up.
Even operators with little or no CNC knowledge quickly become familiar with the 'self teach' software and are soon able to precision grind complex components as well as more standard multi surface work.
Once set up, fully automatic dressing and grinding cycles permit unmanned operation.
Alternatively as with all 'Easy' controlled models the Dominator can function as a simple manually controlled machine with manual dressing and no set-up procedures.
Completed programs can be simply and quickly uploaded to or downloaded from a PC, PDA or Network as required, using JandS software, for storage or recall.
The Dominator Easy is available as a standard model or can be tailored to suit the requirements of individual applications.
A wide range of optional equipment is also offered, including permanent or electro-permanent magnetic chucks, wheel dressers and rotary indexing units.
Wheel dressing is by table mounted fixed diamonds, diamond disc dresser or via a diamond roll dresser.
Rotary indexing units include inline, vertical or cross table mounting, with tailstock if required.
On start-up, the Easy control offers the operator three simple options: Manual mode, Dress mode or Grind Cycle mode.
In manual mode, the Dominator Easy operates as a simple hand operated machine with control for the table and infeed via an electronic handwheel with position shown via a readout on the touchscreen.
Work speeds and feeds are also easily adjustable via the touchscreen, should the operator wish to set an area grind, or auto downfeed in place of manual movement.
When formed diamond rolls are not used to dress the wheel the operator can access Dress mode which offers five standard wheel shape macro's including flat, slot, facing, Vee form and full ISO with one or two diamond discs.
Dressing increments, speeds and frequency allow for roughing and finishing to optimise wheel performance.
A feature in the full software package is 'intelligent roughing out' of the wheel, - the system can automatically quickly and efficiently 'chop out' the basic form and then finish dress using the exact profile.
Wheel dressing can be initiated In or Out-of-Cycle and Dress-On-Demand for plain or complex wheelforms is standard.
The 'Dress-On-Demand' feature basically means that the operator can press the Dress button at any time and the machine will stop wherever it is, dress the wheel with full compensation and return to continue from where it left off.
Grind mode allows from One to 20 grind cycles to be linked as the complexity of the component dictates from cycles including plunge, multi plunge, area (intermittent or continuous), face grind, plunge and face, multi plunge and face, and plunge and creepfeed with or without taper.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Production/toolroom grinding made much easier
The Jones and Shipman 524 Easy surface and profile grinder meets the requirements of the production environment as well as the accuracy, quick set up and change over demands of the toolroom. It also fulfils the criteria of both CNC and manual operation thanks to a GE-Fanuc control system and Jones Shipman 'Easy' software. Complex shapes, angles, radii and ultra flat surfaces can be precision ground quickly and easily.
Even inexperienced operators can obtain immediate improvements in set up and changeover times and in overall productivity for more complex work.
This is due to the combination of GE-Fanuc Touchscreen technology with Jones and Shipman's proprietary 'Easy' icon based software, which offers numerical control without the inherent complexity or cost penalties of traditional CNC systems.
In fact the 524 Easy can function as either a simple hand/hydraulic controlled machine with manual dressing and no set-up procedures or, once set using the easy-to-use 'self teach' software, can perform fully automatic dressing and grinding cycles.
With levels of functionality comparable to CNC but at lower cost all 'Easy' models are fast and simple to set-up via the touchscreen and easy-to-use Jones and Shipman icon-based software.
The control possesses the capabilities to interpolate two axes simultaneously to provide the creation of complex shapes, angles, radii and surfaces, with quick and easy set-up.
Y and Z axis control is via ballscrews driven from GE-Fanuc AC digital servomotors with 0.000004in (0.01 micron) Heidenhain 'Absolute' linear scale feedback.
On start-up, the 'Easy' control offers the operator three simple options: Manual mode, Dress mode or Grind Cycle mode.
In Manual mode the 'Easy' operates as a simple hand operated machine with hydraulic or manual table movement and handwheels for the crossfeed and downfeed which show position via a scale readout on the screen.
Work speeds and feeds are simply adjustable via the touchscreen should the operator wish to set an area grind or auto downfeed in place of manual movement once he has touched on.
Dress mode offers five standard wheel shape options flat, slot, facing, Vee form and full ISO with one or two diamonds as needed.
Dressing increments, speeds and frequency allow for roughing and finishing to optimise wheel performance.
A great feature when the full software package is incorporated is 'intelligent roughing out' of the wheel, - the system will automatically 'chop out' a basic form and then finish dress using the exact profile.
Wheel dressing can be initiated in or out of cycle and dress-on-demand for plain or complex wheel forms is provided as standard.
Dress-On-Demand allows the operator to press the Dress button at any time and the machine will stop wherever it is, dress the wheel with full compensation and return to continue from where it left off.
Grind mode allows from one to 20 grind cycles to be linked as the complexity of the component dictates including plunge, multi plunge, area (intermittent or continuous), face grind, plunge and face and multi plunge and face.
The 524 Easy has been designed from scratch to give improved productivity.
With a new bed, saddle, table, column etc, it offers increased precision, geometry and rigidity and continues a long-established tradition of excellence in manufacture.
Generously proportioned high-grade cast iron major units all combine to create greater rigidity for optimum performance in terms of grinding accuracy and repeatability.
The wheelhead slide moves vertically on low friction, preloaded ball and roller bearings, thereby ensuring extreme sensitivity, while the hand scraped table and saddle slideways are Turcite coated and lubricated automatically to reduce friction to the minimum possible.
'Sliding dogs', which are simply moved by hand without the need for tools, set the table reversal length, their positions being detected by proximity switches sited in the saddle.
Innovative design, high build quality and a rigid and stable machine structure combine to ensure accuracy and productivity and makes this the product of choice for both old and new to the art of precision surface grinding.
The 524 Easy forms the cornerstone of Jones and Shipman's all new range of Surface Grinders.
Even inexperienced operators can obtain immediate improvements in set up and changeover times and in overall productivity for more complex work.
This is due to the combination of GE-Fanuc Touchscreen technology with Jones and Shipman's proprietary 'Easy' icon based software, which offers numerical control without the inherent complexity or cost penalties of traditional CNC systems.
In fact the 524 Easy can function as either a simple hand/hydraulic controlled machine with manual dressing and no set-up procedures or, once set using the easy-to-use 'self teach' software, can perform fully automatic dressing and grinding cycles.
With levels of functionality comparable to CNC but at lower cost all 'Easy' models are fast and simple to set-up via the touchscreen and easy-to-use Jones and Shipman icon-based software.
The control possesses the capabilities to interpolate two axes simultaneously to provide the creation of complex shapes, angles, radii and surfaces, with quick and easy set-up.
Y and Z axis control is via ballscrews driven from GE-Fanuc AC digital servomotors with 0.000004in (0.01 micron) Heidenhain 'Absolute' linear scale feedback.
On start-up, the 'Easy' control offers the operator three simple options: Manual mode, Dress mode or Grind Cycle mode.
In Manual mode the 'Easy' operates as a simple hand operated machine with hydraulic or manual table movement and handwheels for the crossfeed and downfeed which show position via a scale readout on the screen.
Work speeds and feeds are simply adjustable via the touchscreen should the operator wish to set an area grind or auto downfeed in place of manual movement once he has touched on.
Dress mode offers five standard wheel shape options flat, slot, facing, Vee form and full ISO with one or two diamonds as needed.
Dressing increments, speeds and frequency allow for roughing and finishing to optimise wheel performance.
A great feature when the full software package is incorporated is 'intelligent roughing out' of the wheel, - the system will automatically 'chop out' a basic form and then finish dress using the exact profile.
Wheel dressing can be initiated in or out of cycle and dress-on-demand for plain or complex wheel forms is provided as standard.
Dress-On-Demand allows the operator to press the Dress button at any time and the machine will stop wherever it is, dress the wheel with full compensation and return to continue from where it left off.
Grind mode allows from one to 20 grind cycles to be linked as the complexity of the component dictates including plunge, multi plunge, area (intermittent or continuous), face grind, plunge and face and multi plunge and face.
The 524 Easy has been designed from scratch to give improved productivity.
With a new bed, saddle, table, column etc, it offers increased precision, geometry and rigidity and continues a long-established tradition of excellence in manufacture.
Generously proportioned high-grade cast iron major units all combine to create greater rigidity for optimum performance in terms of grinding accuracy and repeatability.
The wheelhead slide moves vertically on low friction, preloaded ball and roller bearings, thereby ensuring extreme sensitivity, while the hand scraped table and saddle slideways are Turcite coated and lubricated automatically to reduce friction to the minimum possible.
'Sliding dogs', which are simply moved by hand without the need for tools, set the table reversal length, their positions being detected by proximity switches sited in the saddle.
Innovative design, high build quality and a rigid and stable machine structure combine to ensure accuracy and productivity and makes this the product of choice for both old and new to the art of precision surface grinding.
The 524 Easy forms the cornerstone of Jones and Shipman's all new range of Surface Grinders.
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