TECHNOLOGY BRIEFS
VMCs offer
greater
precision
»
Mitsui Seiki’s
new series of CNC
vertical machining
centres, called the
‘J’ series for ‘Jig’,
is said to be ideal
for the machining
of medical, optical,
mould and die, and
aerospace parts.
The line includes
four machines, PJ812, J1220, J1230
and J1625 (specifications below).
They provide positioning accuracy
and repeatability of ±1 micron.
A thermal compensation system
employs sensors on the machine
faceplate and inside the spindle to
minimize the effects of temperature
changes on part accuracy and
cut temperature-generated
displacement by 60%. This system
also reduces Z-axis thermal growth
and deflection by 30%. Cooling
systems for slide way lubrication
FANUC
expands
range of
handling robots
»
and ballscrew cores stabilise axis
feed precision.
Mechanical design features
that maximise machine rigidity and
accuracy include hardened and
ground tool steel box slideways
as well as contact elements that
enhance acceleration, reduce stickslip,
and allow for feed accuracy
of 0.1 micron. Another proprietary
engineering detail drastically
improves the static rigidity of the
Z-axis to more than six times that of
conventional Z-axis arrangements.
WWW.MADEIN.IE « SEPTEMBER 2020 « 13
Bearings for adverse conditions
»
The two new robots are the handling versions of their Arc Mate
counterparts, characteristically exhibiting high performance in a compact
design. Both benefit from fully integrated cable management, which helps
to minimise maintenance and eliminate external interference.
Andy Armstrong, sales and marketing manager at FANUC UK,
comments: “Expanding our range of handling robots ensures there is
an automation solution for every application. Floor space is a precious
commodity in production facilities, which makes it crucial that robots
are designed to maximise performance with a minimal footprint. The
M-10iD/8L and M-20iD/12L were designed with this in mind and encasing
the cables within the hollow arm and wrist further streamlines the
solution.”
The M-10iD/8L is capable of lifting an 8 kg payload and can use
its long arm to cover a wide working area (a maximum reach of
2,032mm). The larger M-20iD/12L model is able to lift 12 kg payloads,
and its slim lightweight design enables greater throughput.
Both robots are also equipped with FANUC’s Zero Down
Time software, which predicts mechanical and process
equipment status to improve maintenance scheduling. The
result is a pair of compact handling solutions that instils
manufacturers with confidence that their production line is
operating at maximum productivity.
To enable conveyor belt rollers to
operate in extreme conditions such as
transporting sand or rock for mining,
NKE Austria has developed single-row
deep groove ball bearings. They have
optimised performance capabilities
and longer service life compared with
standard bearings, reducing downtime
for the entire conveyor system.
After extensive analysis, NKE has
developed single-row deep groove
ball bearings especially for conveyor
belt rollers that operate in harsh
conditions. With a completely reengineered
design, it has succeeded
in making targeted improvements that
optimise performance capability and
service life compared with standard
bearings. These bearings have a
special cage construction of lowfriction
synthetic material, improved
raceway geometry, adjusted radial
internal clearance, special low friction
seals and a selected lubricant for use
in a broad operating temperature
range.
The new design from NKE is able
to sustain operating demands to
which conveyor rollers are exposed
even where conventional bearings
fail. When contaminants infiltrate
the interior of the bearing, standard
bearings often suffer from a sudden,
uncontrolled rise in temperature. The
increased temperature impairs the
positive lubricant properties, destroys
the steel cages and ultimately
causes the bearing to seize up. When
bearings seize, they in turn block the
rollers, the conveyor belt is damaged,
and the risk of fire increases
significantly.
/WWW.MADEIN.IE