Published 9/10/2012

Creative Demos Showcase Capabilities of Both Micro-Scale Machine Tools and Machines for Massive Parts

Makino’s Booth S-8700 is full of various machine tools performing live cutting demonstrations in applications including a medium-to-high-volume automated production system for automotive parts, a robot-tended small machining center for orthopedic part production, and a machining center with grinding capability performing aircraft blade and vane machining.

Peter Zelinski

Editor-in-Chief, Additive Manufacturing

The T2 five-axis HMC is one of the machines so large that is being shown by remote link. XY travels are more than 78 × 78 inches. Visit Makino’s booth to see it demonstrated live in Mason, Ohio.

The iQ300 Precision Micromachining Center features advances in machine and spindle design for micron and submicron-precision work, along with thermal control and 0.005-micron scale feedback, the company says.

However, some live machine demonstrations are easier than others. How do you show IMTS attendees what machines can do when the workpieces are either very small or very large? Makino faced both of those challenges.

On machines designed to be effective at machining tiny, critical features, the machine tool’s performance simply cannot be observed with the unassisted eye of an observer walking up to the demonstration. That observer might not even be able to hear the machine cutting. Therefore, in the cell in Makino’s booth that includes its iQ300 Precision Micromachining Center along with UPN-01 wire EDM machine and EDAF3FH fine-hole EDM machine, Makino also included advanced metrology. An Alicona “InfiniteFocus” optical measuring system validates the form and details of micromachined parts as they are produced here at the show. (Interested in Alicona? Find this company in Booth E-5344.)

For large-part machining, the challenge is—well, the challenge is even larger. Some of Makino’s offerings for aircraft-related machining are so large and heavy that the floor of the hall can’t accommodate them. Therefore, Makino has established a remote connection to its facility in Mason, Ohio, where technicians are ready to demonstrate and answer questions about the T2, T4, MAG1 and MAG3 machines—machining centers that range in size up to 165 inches of X-axis travel. By appointment, visitors to Makino’s booth can privately see these machines in action, and explore the machines’ performance and capabilities in detail. The remote connection with staff standing by essentially adds four more machines to the number that Makino is demonstrating at this year’s show.