CNC Future News Blog

Posts Tagged ‘CNC Woodworking’

CNC Woodworking has many different faces, but now you can learn about them all in one location on the CNC Woodworking Learning page on Ivan Irons’ CNC Information website. Ivan has added a new section under his “Computer Numerical Controlled Machines” section to include everything you need to know on Computer Numerically Controlled Woodworking. You can visit this site and get to the CNC Woodworking webpage at: CNC Lathe

On this Computer Numerically Controlled webpage Ivan talks about the different facets of CNC Woodworking. One of those facets of CNC Woodworking is CNC Wood Turning. People have decided to use Computer Numerical Control in their woodworking endeavors in order to get very precise and repeatable results over and over again. If you have ever seen wood signs, it is possible that these signs were made using a Computer Numerically Driven Wood router. Sign making is becoming hand and hand with Computer Numerical Control. See for yourself on the Ivan’s website at: CNC Machines

Another area that Ivan spends some time talking about on his website is the involvement of CNC Woodworking in Cabinet Making. Cabinets themselves have to be very precisely made and often times the patters have to be repeated over and over again throughout the different parts of the cabinets. This type of precise work that needs to be repeated lends itself to CNC Woodworking. Ivan always keeps his site update, so check out his CNC Woodworking page frequently to get updated information at: CNC Lathe. CNC Woodworking is going to get more and more popular as CNC Woodworking machines start to make their way into more and more DIY CNCers home shops.

About CNC Information: CNC Information is a community CNC website that brings user into a deeper understanding of CNC.

Mill/turn centre has a lower turret equipped with a 60mm Y-axis traverse that increases capability for new processing applications and cutting tools

With a lower turret equipped with a 60 mm Y-axis, Yamazaki Mazak UK said that the versatility of its Integrex e-420H-ST II mill/turn centre is considerably expanded. It delivers increased capability for new processing applications and cutting tools. The ability to mount turning tools, tailstock, steady rest attachment or special fixtures on the lower turret opens up numerous machining possibilities for delivering maximum productivity from a single machine tool.

The Integrex e-420H-ST II has upper turret axis travels of 845mm and 420mm (X and Y) complemented by a lower turret with axis travels of 232mm and 60mm (X and Y) and upper and lower Z-axis movements of 2088mm and 1893mm respectively.

Yamazaki Mazak told manufacturingtalk.com that the machine can meet almost any kind of production requirements.

These large and multiple axis movements are combined with powerful main and second spindles (4000 rev/min, 30kW), both equipped with C-axis, which is capable of the smallest of incremental movements.

For rotary tool applications the upper B-axis spindle is a 12,000 rev/min, rated at 22kW, while the lower rotary tool spindle is a 6000 rev/min, 5.5kW unit.

* Reducing manufacturing costs – this combination of machining capacity and power makes the Integrex e-420H-ST II a complete fusion of machining centre and turning centre to provide a machining platform capable of reducing manufacturing costs through improved productivity.

The Mazak e-machines fully embrace the Information Technology age and bring the idea of the ‘intelligent machine tool’ to reality.

The Mazatrol Matrix control has been developed with a number of intelligent functions that assist the operation of the machine and allow communication between the machine tool, control and the manufacturing/production system in operation within a factory.

These functions also provide both management and operator with a wide range of relevant production information and feedback.

For example, the e-tower, which is integral with the e-machine, provides the operator with, for example, set-up support and access to operating and maintenance manuals and work schedules.

Management, in turn, can download programs, scheduling data and component drawings, while receiving real-time information relating to machine and job status.

** Yamazaki Mazak UK at MACH 2008, NEC, Birmingham, UK, April 21-25, Hall 5, Stand 5360. Request a free brochure from Yamazaki Mazak UK….

CNC platform has advanced scalability, an open user-programmable man-machine interface and software covering tool grinding, gear and high speed cutting and transfer and special machines

NUM (UK) is to launch a radical CNC platform for machine tool manufacturers at MACH 2008. Caled Flexium, it delivers ‘no-compromise’ control system solutions, said NUM (UK). Developed by NUM in France, the Flexium modular platform is claimed to offer unprecedented scalability that can be applied economically on a machine with a few axes, or as many as 200+.

This facility is combined with open programmability that gives users complete freedom to customise the man-machine interface (MMI) and add value, said NUM.

Flexium provides machine builders with a common platform for all system building activities, from standard machines to special-purpose equipment such as transfer machines and integrated production lines.

Supporting the CNC platform is the novel fidelity and accuracy of control that is made possible by NUM’s complete product line and proprietary communication interfaces – from controller to motor – and decades of intellectual property in designing machine tool control systems and software.

At the heart of the new platform is an advanced new CNC kernel.

The kernel is at least four times more powerful than the fastest version of NUM’s existing Axium controller, said NUM (UK) to manufacturingtalk.com.

NUM (UK) said it is a popular choice today in a number of machine tool applications including tool grinding, gear manufacturing, woodworking, high-speed cutting, and transfer and special-purpose machinery.

Two versions of the CNC kernel are available, Flexium 6 and Flexium 68.

* Flexium 6 is a compact solution that is cost-optimised for standalone machines with up to five axes of motion.

* The more powerful Flexium 68 will handle up to 32 interpolated axes, divided into as many as eight coordinated groups.

If more axes are required, to support very large equipment projects such as a multi-cell production line, then Flexium 68s may be interconnected using a real-time Ethernet link.

CANopen interfaces provide additional system expansion capability, including positioning drives, I/O and handwheels, and operator panels.

This allows the Flexium 68 system to be expanded to control over 200 interpolated axes, as well as further positioning axes and I/O.

The CNC kernels are rounded out by a complete range of system building blocks including an industrial PC front end with soft-PLC functionality, MMI panels, I/O modules, drives, and a broad choice of servo and spindle motors.

* Sotware flexibility – the Flexium platform gives machine tool OEMs complete control over the ‘look and feel’ of the machine.

The system’s PLC is programmed according to IEC 61131-3 standards, and offers a choice of development software, providing machine control programming environment in forms to suit individual programmers.

Flexium’s MMI is also completely adaptable, said NUM (UK) and can be easily programmed using standard tools such as HTML, Java Script, or one of the PC-based rapid software development environments such Visual Basic, Delphi, Visual C or C++.

This flexibility allows users to add their own unique ‘look and feel’ branding to each machine.

NUM (UK) said that it is in stark contrast with some competitive platforms, which have fixed user interfaces that may only be modified by the vendor.

* Motion control – NUM’s long-established range of drives and motors complement the Flexium platform with motion control capability that is highly optimised for machine tool applications.

Accuracy and fidelity of motion are central to the control loop, and are achieved by a number of novel measures including a high speed proprietary bus between the CNC kernel and drives, and fine interpolation of the movement profile by closing the positioning loop, at drive level, at 5kHz – an almost unprecedented speed in this application sector, said NUM (UK).

These features are combined with special motors with optimised torque ripple and high inertia characteristics to suit the requirements of the mechanics.

NUM’s control over the complete motion axis chain secures an unmatched performance where it matters most: at the direct mechanical interface to the machine.

Jan Koch of NUM said: ‘NUM’s CNC technology has been developed and refined over decades to the point where it is a leader in some machine tool segments.

We have always complemented this with strong engineering support, and a partnership ethos where we work alongside the machine tool company and take complete responsibility for the control system.’ He added: ‘Flexium greatly widens the applications potential, giving the machine tool industry a platform with almost unlimited applications scope.

We expect it to appeal to small and mid-sized OEMs, providing a common platform for any size of machine.

One that can be completely tailored to their needs, and which has great software flexibility for adding value and building a distinct brand’.

* NUM (UK) at MACH 2008, NEC, Birmingham, UK, April 21-25, hall 5, Stand 5687.

 New PanelMaster Pro Series CNC Router Designed Specifically for Nested-Based Manufacturing

New Hyde Park, NY -Techno is proud to introduce the PanelMaster Pro Series CNC Router. Designed specifically to meet the demands of nested-based manufacturing, the PanelMaster Pro is constructed of large heavy tubing that is welded and stress-relieved, the perfect foundation for our precision drive system. Comprised of precision ball screw drives on all three axes, THK rails and bearings, high-speed closed-loop servomotor and drives, the PanelMaster Pro’s precision drive system ensures minimal maintenance, machine longevity and superior machine performance.

A unique new feature of the PanelMaster Pro Series is the double beam assembly which includes four linear rails, twelve linear bearings, double ball nut, joined together with a welded reinforced cross beam assembly. This engineered assembly optimizes the machines performance resulting in overall superior cut quality. All models come equipped with a 10HP Automatic Tool Change Spindle with 7 position tool station, (6) zone vacuum table, and 10HP Rotary Vane Vacuum Pump. Additionally, this machine comes complete with a new computer system that has Techno’s Windows PC-based CNC Interface installed and configured before the machine is shipped. The new PanelMaster Pro series follows Techno’s traditional easy-to-use and operate philosophy so that customers can be up and running as quickly as possible, getting a return of their investment.

For additional information on PanelMaster Pro Series CNC Router, call 800-819-3366 to speak with an applications engineer or visit the web at www.technocnc.com

Contact: Roy Valentine