Fourth Axis Reduces Part Cycle Times

The FANUC DDR/B from Methods Machine Tools is a rotary fourth axis designed specifically to complement the speed and versatility of the FANUC RoboDrill VMC. By eliminating the positioning delays of traditional rotary tables, it reduces part cycle times.

The fourth axis can unclamp, rotate 180 degrees and reclamp in less than 0.3 second. Capable of 200 rpm, it has a part-loading capacity of 220 lbs and 369 foot-pounds of torque. Virtually backlash-free, it has a direct-drive motor with no gears to wear out or break. If bumped, it can be tuned to original specifications.

With its unique combination of speed, strength, and reliability, the fourth axis is ideal for small-volume shops or OEMs making millions of parts, the company says.

The RoboDrill VMC, available in three sizes with a 14- or 21-station tool changer and a 10,000 rpm “Big Plus” spindle, provides milling performance unmatched in a 30-taper machine, the company says. It also offers high speed drilling, tapping, deburring and chamfering; rigid tapping to 8,000 rpm; peck tapping for blind holes; and high speed reverse tapping. The VMC features feed rates to 2,362 ipm, rapid traverses to 2,125 ipm, accelerations (in the X, Y, and Z axes) to 1.5G and 1.6-seconds tool changes (chip-to-chip). With precision-enhancing thermal compensation and HRV control, the RoboDrill features positioning accuracy of 0.0002" and repeatability of ± 0.000080". Its Fanuc 31i-A5 Nano CNC has an optional 1000-block “look-ahead” and a 0.4 ms block-processing speed that is said to ensure exceptional surface finishes over contours.