RESEARCH
“The project has
demonstrated that the
Puma lathe’s onboard
technologies (including
its thermal compensation
capabilities) can
significantly reduce
part processing
WWW.MADEIN.IE « JANUARY 2021 « 21
times”
Ireland to achieve global leadership in
advanced manufacturing through applied
relevant research. Together with their
industrial members and academic
partners, they are engaging in some of the
most exciting research into advanced
manufacturing methods and processes
being carried out globally.
The Mills CNC angle
Says Chris Judge, IMR’s Machining
Applications Specialist: “Our main R & D
spheres of influence comprise the
following (four) ‘thematic pillars” -
digitisation, automation and advanced
control, design for manufacturing and
sustainable manufacturing.
“To deliver innovative and credible
solutions we (too) need access to the
latest and most advanced technologies.
You simply cannot say that you create
state-of-the art solutions if the technology
you use and that is at your disposal is
anything but.
“As such we rely on a number of
hand-picked partners to work with us in
delivering technology solutions to
industry. From a machine tool supplier
perspective the partnership we have
recently entered into with Mills CNC
makes perfect sense.”
Mills CNC is highly regarded in Ireland,
resonates with Irish manufacturers and,
year-on-year, supplies a significant
number of advanced Doosan machine
tools and automation solutions to a
growing number of OEMs, Tier One
suppliers, and precision subcontractors.
In addition to its strong and resilient
machine tool sales infrastructure, Mills
has invested heavily in recent years in
developing an Irish-based service and
support operation (i.e. CNC training,
applications and technical support,
machine tool servicing and parts, finance
etc.), and this investment into research in
Ireland, further demonstrates the
company’s commitment to the Irish
market.
Continues Chris Judge: “Some months
ago, we identified that we needed to
develop our in-house CNC turning
capacity and capabilities at
our Technology Centre in
Mullingar.
“Through talking to
manufacturers about
research
opportunities and
the different
technologies
available, and the
relative skills and
strengths of individual
technology suppliers, it
became clear that Mills CNC
(and the Doosan machine tools it
supplies and supports) was the preferred
choice for many.
“Through discussions with the Mills
team and their Irish Business manager
Declan Boyle about our needs and
requirements, we identified the ideal
turning centre solution - a new Puma
2600SY II multi-tasking lathe.
“To help ‘future proof’ the investment
and increase the scope and scale of future
R & D projects, the Puma lathe we
ordered was supplied with a number of
additional ‘extras’ that included a bar
feeder, workpiece probing, oil/mist
extraction and high-performance collet
chucks etc.
”I would like to take this opportunity of
thanking Mills and the different
technology suppliers involved for their
support: it is very much appreciated.”
Although the Puma was only installed a
few weeks ago it has already been
involved in a number of customer-led
projects.
One of these has involved
exploiting the lathe’s
multi-tasking capabilities
- using the Puma lathe’s
Y-axis, mill-drill and
capabilities to
significantly reduce
the number of
machining
operations, reduce
cycle times and
conduct in process
inspection to improve
part quality.
The project has
demonstrated that the Puma lathe’s
onboard technologies (including its
thermal compensation capabilities) can
significantly reduce part processing times
- from five down to just one operation
- and increase part accuracies.
Concludes Chris Judge: “Projects are
lining up for the Puma and, because the
lathe is ‘automation ready’ we expect, in
the not-too-distant-future, to integrate it
with a Mills CNC industrial or
collaborative robot - thereby increasing
its use and appeal with Irish
manufacturers.”
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