MAKINO — which designs and builds machine tools for cutting, turning, grinding, and EDM — introduced a new horizontal machining center it claimed is “the first and only” unit of its type custom designed for machining nonferrous diecastings — a product segment it said heretofore has had only general purpose machine tools avaialbel for its finishing operations. That situation meant diecasters and others that process such workpieces had no access to the most advanced design details and had to prolong cycle times for what typically are near-net-shape parts.
While many foundries and diecasters have CNC systems for turning, grinding, and finishing, for many of them machining is a secondary capability that demands specialized labor skillsets and expertise.
According to Makino, its new a40 HMC addresses the needs of those operations processing diecastings by enhancing the machine attributes most critical to improving productivity and per-piece costs, and offering them a machine tool specifically developed to match their production goals.
“Diecasting manufacturers are under intense pricing pressure with mandatory cost reductions from OEMs and increasing global competition,” according to David Ward, horizontal product line manager for Makino. He noted that overcoming these problems required the operators to reduce machining cycle time and eliminate unplanned down time.
He continued: “To address the cycle time issue, Makino has reevaluated each of the major castings using an Intelligent R.O.I (Reduction of Inertia) design philosophy. The new design provides superior linear and radial agility and acceleration.”
The a40’s ability to reduce part machining cycle time not only cuts down on per-piece cost, but also promotes savings in capital investment, labor, floor space, utility consumption, and tooling consumption.
The a40 has a 400-mm pallet with a workpiece capacity of 630 mm (24.8 inches) diameter by 900 mm (35.4 inches) high -- sized for diecastings involved in automotive and consumer product manufacturing.
The machine’s axis travels are: X, 560 mm (22.0 inches); Y, 640 mm (25.2 inches); and Z, and 640 mm (25.2 inches). Maximum payload is 400 kg (880 lbs).
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