Güdel Doubles Production Capacity of Robot Tracks in U.S.
They invest $2.5 million in a specialized 5-axis mill to support North American business growth.
Posted: January 4, 2016
Güdel US (Ann Arbor, MI) has completed a $2.5 million investment for a specialized 5-axis mill that is now in production at their Ann Arbor manufacturing campus. Dubbed the LFM-3, the tool was designed and developed by Güdel Switzerland and is optimized for production of the company’s robot TrackMotion foor mounted and overhead tracks, and 2-axis to 6-axis gantry robots.
“We are committed to local manufacturing in key markets, and the growth of our North American business drove this investment,” noted Joe Campbell, the vice president sales and marketing and head of the products business. “Our customers demand the highest quality and shortest lead times, and the LFM will help us deliver on both counts as we continue to grow our business.”
The LFM is one of the biggest 5-axis machine tools in the state of Michigan and is optimized for milling, drilling, reaming, boring and tapping processes. With a 16 m bed, the LFM can machine five sides of a part up to 14.5 m long. It features a #50 taper mill head, a 5,000 rpm spindle and a 30 position tool changer. Controls are Heidenhein, model TNC 630 CNC. The LFM-3 is the third of four such machines developed and built by Güdel. Units 1 and 2 are in production at the company headquarters in Langenthal, Switzerland. Unit 4 is being installed at Güdel China.
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