Kitamura Five-Axis Machining Cell Enables Unmanned Operation

Kitamura Machinery is showcasing its Supercell-300G five-axis, horizontal flexible manufacturing cell, along with other CNC automation systems which feature smart manufacturing technologies on its machining centers. Attendees can view the Supercell-300G with the optional 60-station APC and 314 tool matrix-style automatic tool changer (ATC). 

Packing 60-pallets into a compact footprint, the Supercell-300G is said to be a space-saving, all-in-one smart factory with the ability to run small- to medium-sized one-off or high mix-parts completely unmanned. With up to 80-pallets available, Kitamura’s integrated work ID system employs an IC chip on each pallet, which can deliver storage and communication of pallet work data quickly and accurately to its pallet scheduling sub menu. The maximum workpiece diameter is 210-mm (8.3″) round with a maximum height of 200-mm (7.9″). The integrated design of the pallet pool system out front of the machine can enable simple access and visibility of all pallets simultaneously for simpler part set up and quality control. 

The Supercell-300G is designed with a 360-degree rotary table combined with a highly rigid integrated trunnion table, with an A-axis travel of 30 to -120 degrees, which can provide flexibility in positioning the workpiece closer to the spindle. 

According to the company, the standard 20,000-rpm, built-in, dual-contact spindle can offer the benefits of high speed, smooth precision and the ability to handle a variety of materials often found in the medical, aerospace and general machining industries. 

The Supercell-300G can deliver the advantages of chip management intended for greater levels of accuracy, increased productivity, better surface finishes, quick part changeover and longer tool life when compared to a VMC. It contains a positioning accuracy of ±0.001 mm (±0.000039″) and full stroke, repeatability of ±0.0005 mm (±0.00002″). 

According to the company, optimized magazine tool capacity and ease of use can be found in Kitamura’s matrix style tool changer, with up to 314 tools available. Kitamura’s patented high-speed, fixed pot ATC system can enable proper tool identification. Its matrix design is intended for quicker (1.3 second) and smoother tool changes when dealing with more complicated parts.  

Additional features include linear scale feedback in all axes, rapid feedrates of 60 m/min (2,362 ipm), an IAC System 1 thermal compensation package, 67 million pule encoder technology and Kitamura’s user-friendly Arumatik-Mi CNC. All are said to deliver fast, smooth processing for optimized, unmanned, simultaneous machining of multiple parts.