CNC automatic lathes are fast to program

Precision turned parts subcontractor said Star CNC automatic lathes are fast to set and program, so they are back in production quickly for the next batch run.

UK precision turned parts subcontractor, BGT Automatics, is steadily changing over from using cam-operated automatic lathes to using sliding-headstock, multi-axis CNC lathes Established in Aldershot in 1965, BGT increased the number of Star machines on its shop floor in 2007 by 30% The company acquired a Star SR-20RII, with extensive facilities for driven tool work, and an SV-32 that extends the subcontractor's sliding-head capacity to 32mm.

The other Star CNC automatics used by BGT have bar capacities of 12, 16 or 20mm diameter.

The machine tool supplier, Star Micronics, said that the SV-32had filled a capacity gap between the smaller automatic lathes and a 52mm bar capacity, fixed-head, CNC turning centre. Manager of the family-run company, Carol Naismith, said that the additional lathes and a more even spread of maximum bar sizes enabled BGT to offer a more comprehensive service.

Naismith commented: "It is the policy of large manufacturers and multinationals not to award contracts to subcontractors whose turnover is below a certain level, so we have been missing out on some of the bigger turned parts contracts, even though we would be perfectly capable of fulfilling them".

So BGT decided to increase its capacity to expand the business and raise company turnover.

Naismith added: "It also puts us in a stronger position to handle overflow work from larger subcontractors that may be struggling to fulfill large contracts, or that may not have sliding-head mill-turning capacity".

BGT has only replaced half of its cam automatics.

Eight of these are used to cost-effectively machine relatively simple components very cost-effectively, allowing the CNC automatics to machine the more complex, close-tolerance work.

BGT's customers are spread across many engineering sectors.

The company said two-thirds of its output is in machining stainless steel (303, 304, 316, 321).

Aluminium (HE30, FC1), steel and brass are also turned.

The Aldershot facility runs 24h/day, producing batches ranging between 100- and 50,000-off.

Machining tolerances down to 10 micron total are routinely held.

Less 'second operation' work is needed owing to the twin-opposed-spindle configuration and extensive driven tool capabilities of the Star CNC automatic lathes, and of the fixed-head lathe.

All of BGT's CNC lathes are able to perform in-cycle cross and reverse end machining.

Naismith related something of BGT's history: "Our father, Peter Ball, took over BGT Automatics in the early 1980s and shortly afterwards bought the first Star CNC lathe.

It was a JNC-16 and is still running today, so we have stayed with the same supplier ever since".

She continued: "We find the Stars fast to set and program, so they are back in production quickly for the next batch run.

This is important to us, as machine downtime would eat into our profits".

CNC sliding head turn-mill centres aid Adaero

Citizen Machinery has revealed how its CNC sliding head turn-mill centres have helped Adaero Precision Components secure lucrative components contracts.

Adaero Precision has two Citizen machines installed in its newly extended facility at Crediton, Devon; an M32-III and a mid-range L20 with the high pressure Coolblaster 2,000 lb/in2 coolant system The machines produce batches of 500 or so parts in Acetal, aluminium, brass and a variety of stainless steels Such is the complexity of some of the single operational cycles - for instance, an optical focus component that uses 24 tools on the Citizen M32 - that while cycle times can be relatively long at 5.5min, the overall benefits are significant through combining operations and shortening lead times.

Indeed, it was the purchase of the Citizen L20 in June 2007 that led Adaero to win an important medical contract for three variants of an air flow adjuster in 316 stainless steel for anaesthesia equipment.

Consistency of production from the two Citizens has never been an issue, resulting in the company's high level of confidence for long periods in limited manning and unattended running.

Such is the level of setting expertise that requirements to maintain grinding tolerances can be met when turning on features such as seal diameters and grooves, that are then monitored using the latest optical inspection equipment to ensure full compliance to drawing requirements.

Changeover normally takes between two and three hours depending on the complexity of the batch but, according to Mark Pearson, engineering sales manager at Adaero Precision Components, this time is minimised due to machine's flexibility in being able to accommodate different tooling layouts.

Also, as most programming is performed offline and most jobs have been previously run, efficiency is high, keeping lead times short.

The 13-axis Citizen M32-III is able to hold up to 80 tools.

Common tooling can be left set on the vertical tool platen and drilling station for back machining as well as on the Y-axis fed, 10-station turret that is able to accommodate up to 50 tools by using its half index capability and special tool holders.

What is CNC Controlling

Since we are dealing with machines that do work for us, we need to control those machines somehow. We need to control them for safety reasons as well. If you give a machine improper commands it can easily get out of control and cause harm to you or the part you are machining. We want to give good commands to our CNC machines, at the right times so they are not “out of control”.

The language that these machines use is called GCode G-code has been around since the early 60’s. There are a number of variations of G-code, but most are very similar to one another. See the previous section for a sample of G-Code.

We need a computer to interact with our CNC Router. Our computer will send signals to our CNC machine. In-between our computer and our CNC machine sits a controller. A controller converts commands into signals that are used to control the motion of our machine.

As these signals are sent out of the controller, they go to either stepper or servo motors. This is how we create motion. These cnc motors drive our various axis on our machine. While we are moving our axis, there is generally a cutting tool of some sort removing material. This is the machining process coupled with CNC.

Here is a brief description of the two types of motors generally used in CNC:
Stepper motors:
Simple design
Easy
Generate torque at low rpm
Do not know their position in relation to the program

Servo Motors:
Generate torque at high RPMs
Generally need gearing of some sort to be effective
More sophisticated
Can maintain their relative position, thus, they can be more accurate

CNC Machine Controls
Controllers generally stand alone near the CNC machine. They act as a translator between your cnc control computer and your machine. Generally, they add quite a bit of cost to a CNC machine as well. Controllers can cost anywhere from $1000-$20,000 or more depending on their sophistication.

CNC Community Site:
If you need more information about CNC, click over to http://www.CNCInformation.com You can join for Free and you get two free CNC ebooks. One is a GCode Quick Guide and the other is the CNC Info Site eBook. You also get access to the Free Video Series…Image to CNC Art when you join the community.

CNC Water Jet Basics and CNC Machines

CNC Water Jet Information has just been added to the website that already has plenty of CNC Information. In addition to all of that CNC Information, you will now find a complete page full of CNC Water Jet Cutting Information. Learn the basics of CNC Water Jet Cutting from A to Z by visiting this new Computer Numerical Control webpage on CNC Water Jet Cutting at: CNC Machines



Its very odd for one to think of a Computer Numerically Controlled Water Jet that is Cutting some sort of material or fabric. Usually, when a person thinks of cutting something, a Jet Stream of water doesn’t come to mind. However, Computer Numerically Controlled Water Jet Cutter is actually in use in a lot of industries today. You can find various articles that Ivan Irons has added to the webpage that talk about the different uses for having a Computer Numerically Controlled Water Jet in your shop. The CNC Water Jet website can be visited by clicking on this link: CNC Machine



Some of the reasons that a CNC Water Jet is used instead of another kind of machine is that is does a very good and precise job at cutting metals, glass, or fabric. The cutting that happens during the CNC Water Jet process is actually an abrasive cutting that happens by eroding the material away with the pressure of the Water Jet. Now its not just the water that cuts the object, usually there is another additive in the water that helps with the cutting. You can find more about CNC Water Jet Cutting by visiting Ivan’s dedicated webpage that is all about CNC Water Jet Cutting at: CNC Machines



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

CNC Machines Including CNC Mill

CNC Mini Mill Basics have now been made available on CNC Information’s Website Category page. There you can find information on CNC Mini Machines of all types including CNC Mini Mill information and CNC Mini Lathe information. Since Computer Numerically Controlled machines have made their way into the home shops of Do-it-Yourself Hobbyist, a new market has come into play and they are called CNC Mini Machines. Just like their name says, these CNC Mini Machines are miniature versions of their older siblings. Since these Mini Machines are gaining popularity, Ivan has decided to make a complete page on this CNC Information website that is dedicated to Computer Numerically Controlled Mini Machines. A user can visit this new CNC Mini Machine site for free by visiting the following web address: CNC Mill



What is interesting about these CNC Mini Machines is that they make it possible for more and more people to get involved in Computer Numerical Control. Before, in order to get into the CNC Machine marketing, you had to have a signification time and financial investment, not to mention a separate garage or space that can be dedicated just to your CNC Lathe or CNC Mill. Read more at the CNC Mini Machine Page on Ivan’s website: CNC Mill



Now, with the new market for CNC Mini Machines, there is a lot less time, money, and space invested. Not to mention, the makers of these mini machines have made the learning curve a lot less steep than a curve for a large sized CNC Mill or CNC Lathe. This is such a unique market and Ivan has plenty of additional information on his website page that is dedicated to the CNC Mini Machines. Visit the Webpage at: CNC Mill for more information on CNC Mini Machines.



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

Penny Slot Machines

Playing slot machines with only one penny seems awfully cheap. Actually, it is cheap but it is exactly what the casinos want you to think.

Gone are the days of the simple 3 reel slot machine, today’s machines are gigantic multiline slot machines who have been developed to include any money making trick known in the book. In the comfort department, today’s slot machines have improved to accept dollar bills instead of only coins and can give prizes in the form of redeemable tickets, all in order to make the player as comfortable as possible.

The biggest change in modern slot machines is the addition of many more pay lines (a modern slot machine will have at least 20 pay lines and some reach a lot higher) which of course requires many more coins in order to activate all of them. With machine that costs 50c per spin but offers 20 pay lines, the cost per spin can easily reach 10$, and suddenly the old “pay less win more” slot machine has become a financial burden on the average gambler. For those who say “play only the minimum lines”, we will remind that in order to win the biggest prizes (and the jackpot, of course if available) you must play the maximum number of lines or your profits will be very slim.

In order to make the players less aware of the cost of playing these slot machines the casinos have come up with 1 penny slot machines. That’s right, 1c per spin. This has become the hottest trend in the casino’s slot machine floor and the low denomination has attracted numerous gamblers who now think that playing slot machines has become much cheaper. The focus though has turned into the multiple pay lines which require multiple points in order to maximize profits. Machines exist which will require more than 1500 coin per spin! This makes the average spin cost almost the same as the regular 50c machine.

Are Penny slot machines a sucker’s bet? Not necessarily. These machines are perfect for a player who came to the casino with the intention of spending a few hours of fun without committing too much money to the casino. On the other hand, those who like to suck every ounce of edge out of the machine and will never settle for anything than less the maximum payout will find better options elsewhere.

By the way you might have noticed some famous jackpots being offered in the penny slot machines, be assure that all in all playing the jackpot in a 1 penny machine and 1 dollar machine has no difference as the total amount required to gamble to be eligible for the jackpot is the same.

Why Rowing Machines Are Used in Gyms

Some of the oddest machines in the gym are the rowing machines and, although they are somewhat rare, it is not uncommon to see a skiing machine, too. Many people wonder why these sports have been singled out as being such great exercise – why is there no tennis machine, or swimming machine, for example? The answer is that both rowing and skiing exercise your body in a way that other sports don’t.

If you’ve ever met a rower, you’ll know that they have huge amounts of upper-body strength, and there’s a reason for that. Rowing is, in many ways, the ultimate upper-body exercise, comprehensively exercising your arm and chest muscles.

The situation is much the same with skiing and your legs. Because of all the leaning and balancing that is needed to ski successfully, almost all of your leg muscles get a workout from skiing.

While rowing and skiing machines are no match for the real thing, either in terms of how much fun they are or how effective they are as exercise, they serve a useful purpose, because we can’t all go rowing and skiing every day. If you use both the rowing and skiing machines in one day, you will get an all-over body workout to more than rival the one you might get on the various weight machines, and the chances are that it will be quicker for you too.

However, with rowing machines especially, you need to be careful about overdoing it. Because rowing tends to feel easier on your muscles than it actually is, it’s tempting to set too-ambitious targets and tire yourself out completely, perhaps even pulling a muscle. For the sake of your health, take it steady, keeping track of how many repetitions you do on the machine on each visit, and gradually increasing, instead of going all-out one day and doing hundreds more than normal.