CNC & Machine Controls
Company Navigates Its Way To More Efficient Shop Floor
Until recently, punched paper tape was still being used to transfer part programs into the machine tool controls. However, the company's manufacturing processes have undergone a metamorphosis that has saved the company time as well as money.
Read MoreToday's CNC Gives You More Control
Greater processing speed in combination with more sophisticated software is delivering high functionality, even on modestly priced machining centers.
Read MoreMazak's New CNC Talks Back And Forth
Mazatrol Fusion 640 is the name for a new machine control recently introduced by Mazak Corp. (Florence, Kentucky). The control is available on the company's full line of machine tools, including horizontal and vertical machining centers, turning centers and multi-tasking machines.
Read MoreDNC System Serves As A Stepping Stone Towards ISO 9000 Certification
Until recently, CNC programs were downloaded with one of two traveling laptop computers, which was insufficient and laden with problems. Mr. Brundage knew that the process of storing and locating nearly 10,000 programs on diskettes was a nightmarish task and would not be conducive to getting ISO 9000 certification. He needed a solution and was committed to finding one.
Read MoreOntario Manufacturer Is Driving For Success
Engineers at EXCO were working on a die cast die used to produce the three-liter front wheel drive transmission case for Ford. Similar to work they done before, but this time, they wanted to go straight to steel. 'This was the first job they used computer generated programs to rough machine inserts for this type of part,' said Brian Roberts, NC Coordinator.
Read MoreIt's A Machine Tool Robot
This machine has a dual identity. It looks like an industrial robot. In some applications, such as assembly, it is. However, put a spindle and cutting tool on the end of this five-axis machine and it becomes a machining and drilling center. The inherent stiffness of the machine's tripod design makes it accurate enough to machine aerospace and automotive applications.
Read MoreEliminating Calculations For Offset Entries
Almost every offset entry requires some kind of calculation to be made before the offset value can be entered. Say, for example, the target diameter for a turning tool is 3.
Read MoreLook What's Happened To DNC
Today's DNC systems are doing far more than just moving part programs around. They've evolved into full-blown shop floor information networks.
Read MoreLow-Cost Machines Meet High-End Controls
Mold and die makers have been less than enthusiastic about low-cost VMCs in a large part because their controls typically aren't designed to deliver the high performance 3D contouring capabilities so necessary to cutting cores and cavities. But two companies are out to change all that by bringing together low-cost machining capabilities and high-end contouring control on a single platform.
Read MoreSimplifying Documentation Methods
While most companies take setup documentation quite seriously, many do little in the way of program running documentation. This is documentation aimed at CNC operators to ensure they understand just how a cycle is to be run.
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