State-of-the-art John Hart automated machining cell in final testing at the John Hart technology Centre based in Clayton Victoria, ready for delivery to world-class Tasmanian manufacturer Maltec Engineering.
This John Hart automated machining cell features a Mazak Variaxis C-600 simultaneous 5-axis vertical machining center, integrated with an Agile Flex 35D CNC automation system.
The automated machining cell is designed to handle 96 parts, however production can be infinitely continuous as parts can be replenished from behind the Agile Flex 35D without interrupting the automated machining process.
Because Maltec Engineering wanted to take advantage of the immediate availability of an in-stock Mazak Variaxis C-600, John Hart created custom modifications to supplement two optional extras not specified on the available machine.
A John Hart built vertical side-access automation door was retrofitted to the Mazak, enabling robot entry from the side of the machine while preserving full manual access from the front.
As the machine did not include a native robot interface, communication between the robot and the machine was hardwired, with program selection managed via file sharing between the Mazak CNC and the AgileGo! controls.
Custom gripper jaws were designed and supplied to suit the unique geometry of a component used in the aquaculture industry.
John Hart also supplied a bespoke fixture for the machine tool, which lacked through-table services. To accommodate this, the robot end-of-arm tool was modified with pneumatic controls to open and close the fixture during part loading and unloading.
Please stay tuned for the next instalment on this story, when the automated machining cell is up and running at the Maltec Engineering facilities.
The Mazak Variaxis C-600 a high performance and cost-effective 5-axis solution.
The compact machine, capable of machining workpieces up to Ø730 mm x H450 mm and 500 kg in weight, has been designed with a large machining envelope and a high-rigidity structure featuring a Ø600 mm fully supported trunnion table with roller gear cam on the B- and C-axes. Exceptional high-speed performance is delivered with 42 m/min rapid traverse rates in the X-,Y- and Z-axes, and a chip-to-chip time of just 4.5 seconds to reduce non-cutting time for faster cycle times.
The machine’s high-rigidity 12,000 rpm standard spindle can perform heavy-duty cutting of steel, as well as the high-speed machining of other non-ferrous materials such as aluminium. In addition, the Mazak Variaxis C-600 features a 30-tool magazine as standard, complete with double arm automatic tool changer which can drastically reduce chip-to-chip times.
The Mazak Variaxis C-600 employs Mazak’s SmoothAi Spindle function, featuring AI adaptive control (patent pending) that suppresses milling spindle chatter by intelligently adjusting cutting technology based on feedback from sensors built into the machine.
The Variaxis C-600 is equipped with SmoothAi, Mazak’s artificial intelligence control, which has in-built learning capability to continually improve machine performance. Smooth Machining Configuration Plus allows operators to easily adjust features including cycle time, finished surface and machined shape on the CNC display according to material requirements.
Take a look at the Mazak Variaxis C-600 specifications.
The Agile Flex 35D is a multi-layer drawer CNC automation system, suitable for heavy parts and larger CNC machines.
The Agile Flex 35D features 4 drawers with 1 nest-plate per drawer which is tailored to suit your specific workpieces. Additional drawers and nest-plates can be added at any time.
The drawers have a weight capacity of up to 100 kg each, and each drawer can hold up to 120 workpieces measuring ø25mm x 150mm.
The Agile Flex 35D can be configured with up to 8 drawers and an optional top mounted pallet, enabling it process up to 9 unique part numbers unattended.
The robot is a 35kg payload Fanuc M-20iD/35 equipped with a double 3-jaw gripper handling workpieces weighing up to 12.5 kgs in each gripper.
The Agile Flex state of the art user interface requires no robot programming knowledge and is specifically designed to be intuitive for the CNC machine tool user.
It could not be simpler to configure complex robot motion and sequences in minutes on an Agile Flex CNC machine loading system.
Take a look at the Agile Flex 35D specifications.