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COLLABORATION CRANKS IT UP Cellular Collaboration: You want industry leverage? A dozen high-profile suppliers have worked together to create an advanced turning cell for the automated production of aluminum crankshafts for engines. But wait . . . it does aerospace, medical, automotive and construction operations, too. Check this out. ![]()
The turning cell uses THINC® (THe Intelligent Numeric Control), a control that evolves with technology and is not frozen in time like other machine controls once they hit the factory floor. All aspects of the machine (motion, PLC, and Windows applications) are completely controlled by the motherboard, allowing the software to be a fluid platform since the off-the-shelf industrially-hardened motherboard can be upgraded by swapping a single board. The Partners in THINC have created a crank shaft production cell that uses an LT-200MY turning center with THINC-OSP control from Okuma America Corporation and Abso scales for the automated production of aluminum crank shafts. The system components provided by collaboration partners working in this cell include a Fanuc LR-Mate 200iC robot integrated by Gosiger Automation, a Turbo Quick Load Servo 65 barfeeder from LNS America Inc., a Marposs Quick SPC touchsetter, a Zoller toolsetter, tooling from Sandvik Coromant, TMAC-7 tool monitoring and AutoComp (for quick SPC) software from Caron Engineering, Schunk Chucks, Kennametal ToolBoss and ISCAR Matrix interfaces/tool management systems, and Renishaw inspection probes.
In true lean manufacturing tradition, this multi-function cell decreases lead times by combining machining operations. Its application opens up possibilities for aerospace,medical, automotive and construction..
The turning center used here is all about process flexibility, high feature utility, and completing the greatest amount of primary and secondary machining possible in one compact platform. The LT-200MY is an opposed twin-spindle turning center in the 6 in chuck class, which does just that. Its multi-function twin spindle integrates equal mill/drill functions on both turrets. 24 tool stations are available for either mill or lathe functions. Any tool from either turret working on either spindle (milling or lathe) combines with automatic part transfer between spindles to greatly diminish part cycle time.
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