New system for smaller shafts in large quantities

More and more customers are taking advantage of MiniTec's offer for machining machine parts and shafts at the Waldmohr location. Now the machine park has been expanded by a CMZ TTL-66 lathe. The machine has driven tools and a 3 m bar feeder. It allows simultaneous machining with three tools without manual intervention. Depending on the material, longer running times in one piece are also possible. The concept of a main and counter spindle with integrated discharge for the finished parts ensures even more speed during machining.

From now on, this will open up new possibilities for customers, according to plant manager Stefan Geyer: "The new line with the connected bar feeder also allows us to machine smaller surface-hardened precision steel shafts in larger quantities at attractive conditions. Their diameter can be up to 30 mm and their maximum length 270 mm. Although we were already able to handle batch sizes of several thousand pieces with the existing indexing system, this was only for shafts with larger dimensions. The new acquisition therefore represents an interesting expansion of our range of services for our customers."

Robot cell for CNC machine loading

Whether digital twin, worker assistance system or the networking of plants via the web (Internet of Things, IoT) – Industry 4.0. is now a living reality in many MiniTec areas. The topic has now also found its way into the machinery at the Waldmohr site: There, they recently installed a BMO Automation Platinum robot cell for automatic workpiece loading of an existing DMG Mori CNC machine.

The combination of both systems allows MiniTec to manufacture aluminum components such as shaft blocks, linear slides or cross beams fully automatically in series. The workpieces are removed from grid drawers by a Yaskawa 6-axis robot and inserted into the machine. In the process, the cell has eight pallet locations for holding the clamping devices. This means that the robot automation first automatically inserts the required clamping fixture into the machine and then loads the fixture from the supply drawer with the unmachined parts. If it is necessary to use a different clamping device due to different part dimensions, an automatic pallet exchange takes place.

Plant manager Stefan Geyer is enthusiastic about the new possibilities: "Thanks to the robotic cell, we can now significantly increase the output of aluminum components - and thus ensure even greater delivery reliability. MiniTec also lives Industry 4.0. in its own machinery - to the benefit of our customers!".