To fulfil Concentric's customer contract, one Robodrill produces the oil pump cover and the other the pump body, with both machines operating over three shifts.
In the first machine, the covers require two separate operations and are loaded two at a time into fixtures that accept the part in both orientations. One undergoes op 1 and the other op 2 during each cycle, so a complete cover comes out of the machine for every load / unload sequence. In the second machine, two bodies are fixtured and machined completely. For manufacture of the transmission pump, the third Robodrill produces two different parts in two operations each over a single shift, again from aluminium pressure die castings. Eight fixtures allow two of each part, ie four components, to be produced per load / unload.
At the end of every cycle in all three machines, the trunnion carrying the fixtured components is programmed to come to rest at 45 degrees. It encourages swarf and coolant to fall away and minimises the need to use an air gun to clear the machining area. Additionally, work is presented more ergonomically to the operators, enhancing production efficiency.
The high speed of the α-D21LiA5 Robodrills derives from an industry-leading specification that includes 1.5 g acceleration to 54 m/min rapids in all linear axes, up to 30 m/min programmable feed rates and 1.6 seconds tool change time, chip-to-chip. Working volume is 700 x 400 x 330 mm and the machines at Concentric have been equipped with a swarf conveyor and oil mist extraction.
Mr McFall confirmed that the machines have proved reliable since installation, producing components to ± 10 microns tolerances, and that FANUC has provided excellent programming support and training.