Automated Feed, Turning Thread

This post is a continuation of our previous post: http://www.leanmachinecnc.com/news/2016/12/27/lathe-machining-cost-reduction

Whenever possible, we program our parts on several different machines so they can all be run simultaneously to shorten overall cycle times and give us redundancy of resources.

With our Okuma dual spindle lathe and Autodesk HSM we are able to automate parts that have several operations.  The programming and setup time are intense but the result is a part that can run in a fraction of the time with very little human interaction.  In this example, we took a part that required several hours of total human attention to a 45 minute unmanned operation.

Here is the Inventor drawing of the part.  It's a small brass adapter with different threads on either end.

Moving from CAD to CAM seamlessly is the key to our engineering process.  If we change size in the 3D model the tool path will automatically update.  Below is a screenshot of the HSM programming for this part

Like our previous gang-tool setup, this turning strategy uses Iscar's latest technology Pentacut.

The Iscar pentacut uses a 5 sided insert.  The insert is a strong design put into a rigid holder and has a chip forming profile which makes for accurate parts and a great finish.

The video below is a run through of the cycle.  What the video doesn't show is that the main spindle will bar feed the secondary spindle so we can run a longer bar without interruption.

Below is the finished part ready to ship!