COMBINE TOOL BALANCING AND PRESETTING IN ONE MACHINE

Haimer USA (Villa Park, IL) offers the Tool Dynamic Preset that combines the benefits of automated tool balancing with tool pre-setting that promises high-speed machining performance in manufacturing operations of any size.

Previously, in order to fully realize the potential of their machine tools, manufacturers had to buy and operate a balancing machine as well as a separate pre-setting device, which meant operators had to re-clamp tools, leading to losses in time and accuracy. With the Tool Dynamic Preset, the clamping system is all that is needed for both procedures. It works just like the interface of any other machine tool, but with much higher accuracy both in run-out and repeatability. In fact, run-out tolerances are significantly less than 0.00004 in (1 µm), essential for precision balancing and pre-setting.

Since tool balancing and presetting are key elements of modern manufacturing, the marriage of the two functions made sense to Haimer engineers. ?The balancing spindle makes a good platform for pre-setters,? says president Brendt Holden. ?Combining pre-setting and balancing on the same machine saves the cost and time associated with performing separate operations, allows more machine tool uptime, and one machine takes up less floor space than two or three.?

Tool Dynamic Preset is based on the stable balancing machine TD2002. It is complemented by a pre-setting device made by Zoller that enables an operator to set the length and diameter of the tools as well as measuring the cutting edge geometries with high precision. These measurements are taken off-line, allowing the machine tool to continue producing parts while the set-up for the next job is being completed. Combining the state-of-the-art technology of the two companies, both technological leaders in their segments, brings about significant advantages when compared to other options.

The balancing component of the Tool Dynamic Preset is based on proven technology and is equipped with a time-tested measuring device. When considering manufacturing a balancing machine, engineers knew the machine had to be accurate and easy to use. The accuracy comes from the centrifugal force sensors, hard bearing technology, clamping spindle adapter and solid calibration process. The ease of use comes from the simple processing: After the imbalance is measured, the software calculates where to add, remove or displace weight on the tool holder to assure that the tool will be balanced quickly and easily so that it runs smoothly. This allows the machine an opportunity to achieve its full potential ? increasing a plant?s machining capacity.

Tool Dynamic Preset comes with software that offers storage space for 900 possible machine tool parameters. The ?TD Control? balancing software has also been completely updated and made even more user-friendly. This intelligent software has been provided with an assistant function that leads the operator through the whole menu making incorrect operation more or less impossible. The user interface also has a completely graphic design now. Buttons with icons have replaced most of the text boxes. Selection can be made with function keys, by mouse click or touch screen. The system?s computer is integrated, the system?s keyboard, mouse, screen and printer are connected directly to the balancing electronics.

Haimer USA is the exclusive North American importer of the full line of products from the Haimer GmbH (Munich, Germany).

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www.haimer-usa.com