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14 MoldMaking Technology November 2014 Case Study / Machining Going Bigger The Bridgecenter-8F isn't the only Kitamura on the floor at EVCO. The shop installed a second, larger double-column bridge-type, a Bridgecenter-10, in August 2013. Able to accom- modate molds built for 2,000-ton presses, this machine features X-, Y- and Z-axis travels of 100 × 68.9 × 31.5 inches over a 54 × 118-inch table with a maximum weight capacity of 13,200 pounds. Additional Y-axis space is particularly use- ful, Anderson says, pointing out that potential for thermal growth tends to limit Y-axis travel on C-frame verti- cal machines. "Molds tend to be more square-shaped than rectangular, so the double-column, bridge-type construc- tion is particularly well-suited for our purposes," he says. The new machine offers essentially the same advantages as its smaller cousin, with a few important differenc- es. For one, maximum spindle speed of 10,000 rpm limits the machine's capability for finer work, at least com- pared to the first Kitamura. However, the newer, 50-taper machine offers more power for heavy roughing than its 40-taper counterpart. With a mold large enough to justify processing on the Bridgecenter-10, power and torque are typically more important consider- ations anyway, Anderson says. All in all, the two machines have not only expanded the range of work that EVCO can keep under its own roof, but also ensured that work can be pro- cessed as cost-effectively as possible, Kollath says. Yet, the team is confident that the gains won't stop there. "We're always learning something new," says Pat McKearn, moldmaker, adding that the challenges of large-part machining recently led to experimentation with different cutting tools and holders. "The machine is just one part of the puzzle." FOR MORE INFORMATION: EVCO Plastics / 800-507-6000 evcoplastics.com/ Kitamura Machinery / 847-520-7755 kitamura-machinery.com features regardless of the requirements of the job. Now, the vast majority of molds that don't specifically require inserts are machined from solid. With the exception of certain features, such as tall details that require removing large amounts of steel, machining from solid is almost always faster for the shop and less expensive for the customer, Anderson says. Such tools also perform better because they are easier to cool, he adds.