Mini BOSS 322 is compatible with Swiss-type and fixed headstock CNC lathes. It feeds 12 ft bar stock in diameter range from 3-32 mm. Magazine capacity is twenty-six 10 mm dia bars. Quick-change elastic guide channel permits rotation of round, square, and hex-shaped bars with minimal noise and vibration. Setup time between bars of different diameter, without guide channel changes, is less than 10 min. Maximum adjustable feeding speed is 750 mm/sec.

Compatible with Swiss-Type or fixed headstock CNC lathes, the Mini BOSS feeds 12′ bar stock in a diameter range from 3 mm to 32 mm. Magazine capacity is twenty six 10 mm diameter bars. It is equipped with a quick-change elastic guide channel, permitting

the rotation of round, square and hex shaped bars at increased RPM with minimal noise and no vibration. Setup time between bars of different diameter, without guide channel changes, is less than 10 minutes. If channel changes are necessary, setup can be done in less than 30 minutes. Bar change time: 25 seconds for 12′ bars.

Patented double pusher system reduces the overall length of the feeder by a full 4 feet over previous models. The Mini BOSS feeds 12′ stock regardless of the machine tool spindle length. An oil-lubricated Vulkollan front guide bushing automatically opens to allow the bar pusher to pass through, reducing stock vibration at the spindle and providing excellent part finishes and maintaining tight tolerances. In many cases, the Vulkollan front guide bushing allows for a greater size range of bar diameters to be machined without a guide channel changeover.

The Mini BOSS 322 is complete with a headstock synchronization device allowing rapid backward/forward movements on sliding headstock lathes without forward feed pressure from the bar pusher. The result: no bar distortion. Maximum adjustable feeding speed: 750 mm per second. Maximum adjustable return speed: 800 mm per second. The bar feeder cycle and lathe interconnection are entirely controlled by a reliable, flexible CNC with integrated PLC designed by IEMCA .

All operations are monitored in detail, and a display identifies any process deviations before they are problematic. Functions now routinely monitored, include: thrusting clutch adjustment during bar feeder cycle; continuous adjustment of feeding speed; checking feeding length; position on lathe fixed stop without any stroke; easy automatic loading of any shaped bar; rear extraction or front ejection of bar remnant; and quick, easy electrical interface with all lathe models.

For more than 40 years, IEMCA has been an industry leader in the design and manufacture of automated feeding systems for both single- and multi-spindle lathes, and has built a reputation for innovation and unparalleled service and support. The company continues to offer the most comprehensive product range in the automated feeding systems marketplace. Hydromat, Inc., is the exclusive North American distributor of IEMCA Advanced Feeding Systems.

Able to control up to 5 axes and a spindle, Advantage 400 includes 32 digital inputs, 2 analog inputs, 16 digital outputs, and variety of programming features. Product also includes ability to send torque or step and direction command formats. Dual-processor control utilizes dedicated DSP based CPU to service motion control tasks, and Pentium-based PC is at heart of user interface. Unit comes with 8.4 in. color LCD and can include Ethernet and USB utilities.

Chatsworth, Ca. - Delta Tau Data Systems, Inc. has released the Advantage 400 CNC control system. Created for the machine tool builder and retrofitter who require a powerful, feature packed control, which sets up quickly and whose price does not limit performance, capability, or flexibility.

The Advantage 400 will control 5 axes, a spindle, includes 32 digital inputs, 2 analog inputs, 16 digital outputs, and all the programming features customers would expect from a high-performance control package, all in a standard configuration and at a very reasonable price. The Advantage 400 includes the ability to send torque or step and direction command formats.

The Advantage 400 is a dual-processor control utilizing a dedicated DSP based CPU to service the motion control tasks. A Pentium based PC is the heart of the user interface. The DSP motion control CPU ensures the machine is accurate at any speed. The Pentium based interface allows Delta Tau to include utilities such as Ethernet and USB at no additional cost to the user. The control comes standard with an 8.4″ color LCD.

The Advantage 400 is a perfect example of how intelligent design and technology is bridging the gap between software and hardware and bringing unprecedented levels of performance and value to the shop floor.

The company’s Open Vision HMI platform provides a base system onto which custom software and screens can be added to meet user requirements.

The platform is an open architecture interface tying the GE Fanuc control to an industrial PC.

Less than three years after opening doors in Orangeburg, SC, aba z&b USA Inc. is already making its mark on the US surface and profilegrinder market.

The company, headed by President Leonard Cody, is the US operation of aba z&b Schleiffmaschinen GmbH, based in Reutlingen, Germany. Its mission is the in-house rebuild and field service of existing machines, as well as new machine sales, installations, and spare parts fulfillment for aba z&cb grinders.

The company’s machines are used by a broad spectrum of American companies, including manufacturers of automotive torque converters, linear guide rails, heavy construction machinery, aircraft engines, oil pumps, compressor shafts, and other large components, as well as moldmaking and tool and diework producers.

In one installation, an aba z&b PSM creep-feed grinder has been installed to do deep- profile creep-feed grinding on cold-rolled and forged steel parts for undercarriage links on a large piece of earthmoving equipment.

Said to be one of the most powerful machines of its type in the world, it has a working length of 1000 mm, grinding width of 550 mm, and grinding height of 550 mm, but was readily integrated into a workcell at the customer’s location due to its traveling column design and small footprint.

An indexing worktable with two workpiece clamping fixtures allows simultaneous load/unload and grinding operations. Linear guideways and ballscrew drives control motion for the main X, Y, Z axes. The overall motion control of this giant grinder is performed by the Siemens Sinumerik 84OD CNC with digital drives and motors that allow free contour programming for interpolation- grinding applications.

“This single CNC-controlled grinder replaced a machine with three different processors and operating systems. The customer is realizing savings in setup, training, programming, and maintenance time,” Cody says.

“Between our support from aba z&b and that of Siemens, the time-toproduction on these workpieces has been significantly improved, as has the overall part quality and costreduction scenario,” Cody says.

The tale of the tape tells why. On this large capacity aba z&b creepfeed grinder, a 1750-mm diam worktable has two workpiece clamping fixtures, each with a qualified surface of 900 × 600 mm and maximum load capacity of 2000 kg.

The X-axis longitudinal movement of the wheelhead column is run by a Siemens CMC-controlled electromechanical drive system with stickslip-free high-precision linear guideways to guarantee the highest possible positioning and repeating accuracies.

The Y-axis vertical movement of the grinding wheelhead is performed by a variable AC motor and ballscrew, in antifriction guideways for accuracy even in small downfeed increments. The maximum achievable feed rate is 3000 mm/min. The Z-axis transversal movement of the wheelhead column is run by a Siemens digital AC servomotor package with resolution to 0.0001 mm.

The CNC itself features PC-based continuous path control, with an integrated Siemens Simatic S7 PLC and Safety-Integrated software for monitoring all feed rates and axis positions.

One of the highlights at Hydromat’s recent Techweek open house in St. Louis, Missouri, was a display of the company’s new Epic R/T technology. According to the company, this line of CNC rotary transfer machines comes “with a price tag comparable to the current non-CNC Hydromat machines.”

Speaking to attendees, demo leaders attributed this price advantage to two developments. One, the company’s embedded motion control (EMC), which features “plug and play” programmable control integrated into each tool-spindle unit, which virtually eliminates conventional manual valves and more complex CNC components. As part of the second development, basic machine castings were modified to eliminate components originally need to support non-CNC or partial-CNC machines. With the resulting savings, a CNC machine costs about the same as non-CNC equipment and about 25 percent less than CNC machines without EMC technology.

This makes the Epic R/T machines competitive for small, medium and large production quantities, the company says. This includes applications now being served by CNC turning machines automated with robots in cells and even some multitasking machines.

The 4-day event also marked the first time that the company’s new Edge Technologies division participated in an open house. This division’s family of products specializes in bar feeding, parts cleaning systems and other lathe automation products. The lines include FMB bar feeders (German-made units that handle round, hex or square barstock from 2 mm to 100 mm in diameter), Bartec Barfeeding Solutions (short bar feeders and Swiss tube feeders at economical prices) and Durr Ecoclean (unitized aqueous and solvent-based parts cleaning systems).

Speaking after the event, Hydromat President and CEO Bruno Schmitter proclaimed it a success, saying, “We are very pleased with the turnout. People in this industry understand the importance of new technology and how it can help them compete globally.”

With the Fagor 8055 CNC, users can mix and match programming styles–even within thc same program. This means that extremely complex parts can be programmed using both G-code and conversational programming.

The 8055 CNC has the regular G-code and M-code modes in addition to its conversational programming mode. But it also has an assisted programming mode that will talk the user through the G-code programming. Underneath the G code, high level programming is built into the main programming capability. On top of that, at the OEM level, it has “User Programs.” With these, the user can write a program that works in the “edit” mode.

The 8055 control has a 32-bit CPU with math co-processor and has 1 MB of RAM. It is equipped with 4 MB of memory for storing programs and PLC code. Up to two memory cards of up to 24MB each can be added. It also has a 2 GB hard disk with Ethernet option.

The control has flash memory that is similar to an EPROM. It can recall default parameters, PLC programs or the OEM settings.

Designed for press machine manufacturers, 16i/18i-MB dedicated CNC control offers flexible motion paths and allows precise simultaneous operation of multiple GE Fanuc servo motors from Alpha iS series rated up to 230 kW. Fully programmable nano control, able to replace PLC and/or PC-based control, has customizable operator interface with open architecture PC-based front-end. Use of this network-capable product enables motion to be matched to work.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - December 7, 2005 - GE Fanuc Automation, Inc., a unit of GE Industrial, is announcing the availability of a new CNC control specifically designed for press machine manufacturers. This nano control allows the precise simultaneous operation of multiple GE Fanuc large servo motors from the Alpha iS series up to 230 KW rated power and can replace a PLC and/or PC-based control currently used with a high-speed high-precision CNC.

“This is the first dedicated CNC control to be specifically targeted to the needs of the servo press manufacturer,” said Paul Webster, GE Fanuc Servo Product Manager. “Servo control offers the productivity of a mechanical press with the formability of hydraulics as well as the added benefits of a simpler system, with higher precision and power saving capabilities that is environmentally friendly.”

The benefits of the 16i/18i-MB CNC control include FANUC reliability, standardization, easy implementation and customization for the machine builder, accuracy and flexibility while providing impressive savings in energy consumption, and improved work conditions by lowering noise and the use of oil. Productivity is increased while the cost of operation is decreased providing a rapid return on investment.

Some of the strengths of a CNC-controlled servo press machine include:

o Control - using advanced digital drives, a full-programmable CNC makes a high degree of control possible

o Free Motion - motion can be matched to the work. Specific features for the control of a rotary link system, main gear and slide position, rotary and reverse control, speed, dwell and torque is all included

o Reliability - legendary FANUC reliability with more than eight years MTBF for the entire system and easy maintenance with detailed diagnostics and common/readily-available components

o Rapid prove-out with flexible motion paths - stroke height can be set to the minimum required and optimum speed and motion easily programmed

o Accuracy - nanometer interpolation CNC control using high-resolution feedback devices make micron level accuracy possible resulting in better parts and less scrap

o Energy savings - power line regeneration of the servo system during deceleration saves up to 50% over a hydraulic or standard electric system

o Low noise - servo control limits the noise produced and extends the die life

In addition, a fully-customizable operator interface with an open architecture PC-based front-end can be developed. The customized screens and interface back to the CNC control allow for simple setup and operation. It is also network-capable with a built-in Ethernet connection and easily obtainable data making it possible to track Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).

GE Fanuc now offers four control types and servo motors from .05 to 230 KW to the servo press market, from simple ballscrew driven presses to the most complex link-type slide with die cushion control.

o 16i/18i-MB for servo press - high-end control for full functionality

o PowerMate iH Industrial CNC- simple CNC for cost-effective ball screw presses or die cushion control

o HSSB DSA - fully customizable motion controller for use with custom-designed PC-based software control

o Pulse Type DSA - motion controller for connection to PLC or PC-based pulse controllers

“Servo press machine manufacturers in Asia and Europe are already implementing these kinds of controls on a broad scale,” continued Webster. “The market is demanding improved accuracy, flexibility and productivity in a machine that requires a lower cost of operation. GE Fanuc has met these requirements with this high-performance solution.”

Along with 4.09 in. spindle through-hole and geared head, TRAK TRL 2460SX features 2-speed tailstock, P5 tapered roller bearings, and digital servo motors. Lathe can be used manually with assists from CNC to perform tapers and radii, and complete part programs can be done directly from print by naming geometry required and then answering prompts. ProtoTRAK SLX CNC offers Spreadsheet Editing(TM), informative graphics and networking capabilities as well as optional DXF file converters.

The ProtoTRAK brand CNC is now available on a line of larger machines. The new TRAK TRL 2460SX lathe is a premium machine for small lot work. It features a generous 4.09″ spindle through-hole and a geared head for maximizing performance at high and low speeds. Other machine features include a two-speed tailstock, P5 tapered roller bearings and digital servo motors. The ProtoTRAK SLX CNC is the ultimate control for toolroom and small lot work. The advanced user interface of the CNC differentiates it from production-oriented CNCs. The lathe may be used manually with assists from the CNC to easily do tapers and radii. Complete part programs are easy to do directly from the print by simply naming the geometry required and then answering prompts. Once the program is finished, the revolutionary TRAKing(TM) feature allows the operator to run the part program by controlling the CNC feed through one of the handwheels. The unique and advanced features of the ProtoTRAK SLX include Spreadsheet Editing(TM), informative graphics, Networking capability, and optional DXF file converters. Tool setting is easy for basic single tool operation. The generous capacity also allows for gang tooling set ups and an optional indexer. From one-off to light production, this lathe has the capacity and capability to be efficient for a large range of jobs.