2007-10-16
As Seen In 
Canadian Industrial Machining
Reducing VMC Set-up Time
Using New Workholding System at Adaero Precision Components Impacts Profitability
Production output has increased significantly from eight vertical machining centers on the shop floor of Adaero Precision Components Ltd., as a direct result of retrofitting each machine with the Visher & Bolli DockLock Zero-Point system distributed exclusively in North America by Kurt Manufacturing.
Today's machine tools are very fast in terms of spindle speed, rapid traverse, cutting feed rate and tool change. Productivity, however, is often restricted because components aren't presented to the cutting spindle quickly enough after the previous batch has been completed.
With current trends toward ever smaller lot sizes, the inability to set-up quickly for the next part run seriously impacts profitability.
"At Adaero Precision Components, we shortened spindle down time between part runs using the DockLock Zero-Point workholding system," said Andy Dickinson, managing director. "This is one of the most cost effective systems on the market. On average, we cut 25 to 30 percent set-up time on our eight four-axis Chiron and Fanuc machining centers using the DockLock. The savings are huge because some of our runs call for just 10 to 20 parts with three to four part changeovers a day. We save around a half hour for each set-up."
New Precision Measuring Instruments and Workholding Accessories (Click for Details)
Reduce Tool Change Time By 75 Percent on Knee Mills
Automate your knee-type milling machines for faster and easier tool changes using Kurt Automatic or Mechanical PowerLock® Drawbars. They greatly improve milling machine output by reducing tool change time up to 75 percent. Spend more time in the cut and less time changing tools.
To operate, just insert the tool and push a button on the Automatic Model or push a lever on the Mechanical Model. Both models assure fast, uniform collet tightening without the need for hand tools and manual tightening. The Kurt Drawbars prevent under tightening and tool slip or over tightening and drawbar breakage.
These Kurt Drawbars have operator-friendly design to reduce milling machine operator fatigue, increase safety while improving productivity, and eliminate operator stretching for tool setup. In addition to providing consistent torque on the drawbar rod, these Kurt Drawbars eliminate drawbar tapping to free tool in the collet.
Available in automatic and mechanical models, Kurt PowerLock Drawbars can be operated with existing tooling. (They operate R-8, #30 and #40 taper toolholders. Additional special toolholders are not needed). These Kurt Drawbars are easy to install on most milling machine models. They operate on shop air supply. A filter/lubricator, regulator and gauge are included with most models. (read more)
Quick Links: |
|
Visit Kurt Division Websites:
Kurt Workholding | Kurt Electronics | Kurt Corporate | Kurt Hydraulics | Kurt Chipmunk
Kurt Manufacturing. 1325 Quincy St. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Phone: 763-574-8309 | 1-877-226-7823 • Fax: 612-623-3902 | 1-877-226-7828