Automation for die and mould manufacturing, high speed machining, EDM advances and machining software developments were among the topics manufacturers participated in at a Makino event held September 15-17 at the company’s Auburn Hills, MI, Tech Centre.
Part of the two-day event included live demonstrations of high speed, five axis and EDM machining processes.
Among the demonstrations was a die and mould automation cell. According to Makino, automation in die and mould applications can improve machine utilization rates up to and exceeding 80 per cent, even in the manufacture of low volume, high precision die components.
Another key focus at the event was the company’s EDM Hyper Technologies, control software that the company says boosts performance and reduces cycle times. Makino recently announced that it had extended the technology to the company’s full line of wire EDM, sinker EDM and EDM hole drilling machines.
“In today’s manufacturing environment, maintaining superior machine productivity and part quality is critical,” says Brian Pfluger, EDM product line manager at Makino. “Our new Hyper Technologies support these priorities and completely revolutionize the EDM machining process. The Hyper-i control significantly boosts user-friendliness and efficiency on both wire and sinker EDM machines, while HyperCut technology reduces cycle time and delivers exceptional surface finishes and accuracy.”
Attendees also had the opportunity to listen to Laurie Harbour, president and CEO of Habour Results Inc., who provided some insight into the tooling industry.
Makino recently announced its partnership with Harbour Results, which operates as a business and operational consulting firm to the manufacturing industry. Makino’s partnership with the company will support Harbour Results’ Harbour IQ, a global resource of data and trends for the mould, tool and die industry.
“Harbour IQ comes at an opportune time for the North American tool and die industry, where business decisions are becoming increasingly reliant upon real-time information,” says Mark Rentschler, marketing director of Makino. “Makino is excited to partner with Harbour Results and contribute to the Harbour IQ product. We believe this service is integral to the growth and competitiveness of the mold, tool and die industries.”
“Makino and HRI share a long-standing relationship and the desire to help advance the manufacture of molds, tools and dies,” says Laurie Harbour, president and CEO of HRI. “Today’s tool and die manufacturers are under greater pressure than ever before, and companies like Makino are crucial in helping these companies meet their goals. We look forward to receiving information from Makino to enhance Harbour IQ.”
Among the demonstrations at the event was the F5-5XR, which performed simultaneous five axis machining of a titanium medical part. Makino describes the machine as “an affordable five axis solution for complex, die/mould, aerospace and medical parts.”
The machine is designed with X, Y and Z axes travels of 899 mm (35.4 in.), 500 mm (19.7 in.) and 450 mm (17.7 in.) respectively, and a tilting rotary table which Makino says offers increased speed, accuracy and power.
