Advertising in MoldMaking Technology offers
Issue link: https://mmt.epubxp.com/i/498250
moldmakingtechnology.com 47 CONTRIBUTOR Michael Cope, CMTSE, is a senior product technical specialist for Hurco Companies Inc. to wait until the part is actually located on the machine to pro- gram the process, because he does not need to account for any machine-related data in the program or postprocessor. This is all taken care of by the software within the machine control. When the operator sets up the five-axis machine, he simply locates the zero point of the workpiece using an edge-finder or indicator, just as he would on a three-axis machine. He does not need to be concerned with the location of the part within the machine's workspace. Also, if corrections are necessary, he can simply make the adjustments to the part setup as opposed to altering or reposting the program to make the adjustments. This eases the setup of subsequent runs of this part. Summary Although tool center point management was introduced a couple of decades ago, not all machine tools today have this capability. With it, the entire machining process is not only more controlled, but the entire setup procedure is simplified. The program can be posted with all program reference data originating from the actual workpiece coordinate system rather than from the rotary or tilting axis center lines. This means the part setup and part programs are both independent from the machine setup. It also means that part setup can be performed in the same simple manner as it is on a three-axis machine, using the corner of the workpiece with an edge-finder. FIGURE 4 As the part rotates within machine space during machining, the location of the part is always changing. The machine control will then use tool center point management to monitor the location of the workpiece zero point and its relationship to the current position of the tooltip during machining. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Hurco Companies Inc. 800-634-2416/ copem@hurco.com / hurco.com The POCO EDM Reporter is Back! POCO's EDM Reporter is your resource for useful tips on improving productivity in EDM and Machining operations, as well as features spotlighting POCO customers and future activities. Register for upcoming issues at www.POCOEDMReporter.com POCO® is a registered trademark of Poco Graphite, Inc. Strategic Partnerships develop for a variety of reasons, but all the members benef t from the joining of resources to reach a common goal. Recently, what started as one man's problem quickly evolved into a problem solving event for three individuals. The problem job involved an accelerator pedal bracket for a car that required numerous deep slots for strengthening ribs in the f nal plastic. The customer specif ed ampcoloy as the core material and the production schedule was tight. other high copper burn – the EDM e Sink Manager n to determine uired to fi nish d up to four r methods to ajority of work Chris Double, John Shore and Jerry Mercer (left to right) review settings and discuss performance of EDM-C200. Company: pt mold, craft, mI p , ouble, Die Dm manager , maChInE: shi EX-22 ElECtroDE: Dm-C200™ applICatIon: oy Cores motive y Essential for Surviving in Tough Times nge s uring or the ging ry. This is ing costs by taking upplier. As die industry customers rate goals. rformance esses to materials d lead-time Graphite and the desired c partner visits to address These benefts s become better with electrode e operational l Shop foor applications support l Performance / cost ratio analysis l technical publications l Productivity improvement solutions l training seminars POCO BENEFITS SFM FEEDRATE graph te s the POCO EDM Techn ca Manua . n th s manua s a chapter devoted to machining graphite and contains guidelines and recommendations on SFM ranges for HSS, Tungsten Carbide and Diamond cutters. Many shops cut outside these ranges; however because of tooling or spindle limitations there are many that do not have the ability to run at the feedrate thought to be required to generate enough heat to machine graphite. This is not a problem as some may think. Graphite is not cut by the same mechanisms as steel, aluminum and other metals. In this case, metal chips are formed by a ductile deformation process. This occurs when cutting at the proper feed and speed rates to create a tiny spot of heat softened metal just in front of the tool's cutting edge. This tiny spot makes the metal easier to cut and reduces the power required for the cut. Cutting metal too slow does not generate the proper cutting conditions to create the heat softened zone for metal removal. On the other hand, cutting metal with higher feed and speed rates than required will generate too much heat and afects the cutting tool. Both of these situations will reduce th fe of the cutter. So what happens when cutting graphite? Does it softe enough energy into the cut? Not really. Graphite does conditions under which it softens, but these co diti under normal atmospheric pressure or oxygen c typical machine shop. The temperature required over 3000° C. At this temperature, the cutti soften and become inefective in the cut. Al the graphite would react with the oxygen and into contact with the shop's air. For this rea practices cannot develop the temperatu graphite. Instead, graphite is removed by a fr this, the surface of the material is broken in l Shop foor applications support l Performance / cost ratio analysis l Technical publications l Productivity improvement solutions l Training seminars OCO BENEFITS www.poco.com Visit us at Amerimold Booth 718