Another kind of multitask machine
The Look Ahead department in the December 2016 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering looks at a multitask machine for making injection molds.
The move to save time and space and improve quality by combining two or more manufacturing processes on a single machine has generated additive/subtractive hybrids and various multitaskers in recent years. In that group is the UNISIG USC-M series, which brings together milling and deep-hole drilling in a 7-axis machine.
The USC-M incorporates two independent spindles: one for gundrilling and BTA deep-hole drilling and a CAT 50 machining spindle. Combined with a rotary table and programmable headstock inclination, it puts accurate deep-hole drilling and high-performance machining capabilities within a single work envelope, according to the company.
The USC-M series allows moldmakers to mill and gundrill on a single machine. Image courtesy UNISIG.
The machines use the B, A, X, Y and Z axes for 5-axis machining, the W-axis for the combined gundrilling and BTA drilling spindle, and the U-axis for machining. This provides 3+2 machining to reportedly make deep-hole drilling and machining of compound angles faster and easier, and improves productivity and throughput by reducing setups and eliminating changeovers to multiple machines.
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December 2016
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