Metrology products maker reported that its CNC turning centre has improved its production rates and has released shop floor space by replacing three existing machines

Solartron Metrology, in Bognor Regis, UK, wanted to replace three Tornos 'Elector' turning centres - supplied in the 1980s - and chose a Tornos Sigma 20 model. The machine has increased productivity by over 50%. 'When looking at a new machine, we evaluated the market and found the Tornos was the best fit solution for our business.

We already have turning centres from many suppliers including Tornos and from experience, the service, support, expertise and relationship Tornos provides far exceeds that of its competitors,' said Solartron's machine shop supervisor Peter Shepherd.

Solartron manufactures very many components.

There are over 60,000 parts passing through the machine shop each month on a Kanban system.

A very important factor in machine choice was the ability to switch the Sigma 20 from one part to the next.

'We produce batches from 10 to a 1,000 off and we are continually changing jobs.

The Sigma 20 has easy access and is well lit for changeovers whilst the user friendly Fanuc control has reduced programming times, giving us considerable time benefits when changing over jobs,' added Shepherd.

'We manufacture hundreds of families of part variations, so versatility is crucial to us and the Sigma 20 has already proved its worth with the changeover aspect of our production,' said Shepherd.

Solartron machines mostly 400 series stainless steel on the Sigma 20 and carries out a lot of drilling.

As Shepherd said: 'A lot of our components involve drilling; the powerful driven tooling unit on the Sigma has a torque monitor that enables us to gauge the performance of our drills.

This lets us know when tools are close to wearing out or breaking.

This has improved our quality process and enables our operators to work in confidence; they now know exactly when to change tooling without any breakages'.

The through coolant feature on the Sigma 20 raises the drilling performance further and has improved productivity as well as cutting tool life.

'The new Sigma 20 compliments our two Tornos Deco 10 machines and has improved our production rates whilst freeing up space on the shop floor by replacing three machines.

We operate a two shift system and the new Sigma 20 is running almost non-stop,' concluded Shepherd.

* About Solartron - known as a world leading provider of precision dimensional measurement and position measurement transducers and instrumentation, Solartron employs 130 and is ISO9001 registered.

A terminal type I/O module designed to speed up the wiring process, improve the overall reliability of machine tool wiring, and help them reduce costs for new products or during retrofit applications

GE Fanuc Automation, the world market leader in CNC technology, has introduced a new terminal type I/O Module designed to help customers speed up the wiring process, improve the overall reliability of machine wiring, and help them reduce costs when manufacturing new products or during retrofit applications.

The new GE Fanuc Terminal Type I/O Module connects directly to any GE Fanuc CNC via GE Fanuc's reliable, high speed serial bus, FANUC I/O Link.

Each module provides 24 inputs and 16 outputs.

Up to four modules can be linked in a group, allowing a maximum of 96 inputs and 64 outputs.

All I/O connections to the module are easily made to newly-designed, spring-loaded, terminal blocks which can be pre-wired and push-mounted onto the boards in the I/O module.

This speeds up the wiring process and provides a more reliable connection.

The connecting wires will not become loose as a result of vibration, improving overall machine reliability.

The I/O Module can be directly mounted on a DIN rail.

Since it is compact and the terminal block is mounted on the I/O module, it will take up less space in the electrical cabinet of the machine.

Also, the distribution boards normally required for GE Fanuc's other I/O devices are no longer required.

As well as the Basic Module there are three extension modules, one offering higher output power and another an interface with a manual pulse generator.

The new I/O module is designed to minimise the likelihood that a fault will ever occur.

Internal hardware protects it from damage due to grounding, over-voltage, over-current, and over temperature.

The output circuit is optically isolated from the controlling device so excessive voltage in the signal does not damage the control circuit or any other device in the CNC system.

Wire break is also detected.

If one of these conditions is sensed by the hardware, an alarm will occur protecting the hardware from damage.

Individual LEDs for each I/O device indicate the status of that device: these LEDs and alarm data sent back to the CNC will assist in locating any problem quickly.

* About GE Fanuc Automation CNC - GE Fanuc Automation CNC is a leading global supplier in factory automation.

These include products and solutions for the machine tool market based on a wide range of CNCs, motion control products, monitoring and control software products, CO2 lasers and services.

OpenCNC/OEM reduces engineering costs and enables Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to bring products to market faster, because it leverages standard software development tools and standard off-the-shelf hardware. Because the CNC is open-architecture software running on Microsoft(R) Windows NT(R), OEMs can integrate third-party technologies and provide value-added competitive features of their own to customers.

In today's manufacturing industries, OEMs increasingly recognize the value of a renewable CNC -- an upgradeable software CNC that will not become obsolete before the machine tool does. "OpenCNC/OEM has established a new benchmark in all-software, high-performance, high-volume CNC solutions for OEMs," Fall said.

MDSI has already signed several major license deals with machine tool builders to install the products in new machines. MHO, manufacturer of production-grade compact CNC milling machines, recently made an initial purchase of 100ness and our customers." MHO's machines are oriented to small-part manufacturing needs.

Cubic Machinery, Inc., another OEM customer for MDSI, produces lathes for a variety of industries including optical, electronics and automotive. "Cubic Machinery has created a special machine designed specifically for OpenCNC/OEM, which is an indication of our belief in the quality and effectiveness of this product. Its flexibility allows us to design and deliver a machine in a relatively short period of time," said Joe Lin, president, Cubic Machinery. "OpenCNC/OEM is the ideal product for our customers working to make machining more productive through robotics and mechanics."

"Our mission at MDSI has always been to revolutionize the factory floor through superior, innovative technology," Fall said. "Providing OpenCNC products to machine tool builders as well as manufacturers is a natural progression for our company as we enter the new millenium."

About MDSI

Manufacturing Data Systems, Inc. supplies factory automation software and services that increase manufacturing flexibility and enable agile manufacturing. The company's primary product, OpenCNC, is a software CNC that reduces machine tool control costs and extends the productive life of machine tools. OpenCNC provides an unbundled, open-architecture, high-performance, low-cost software CNC solution for Original Equipment Manufacturers of electronics fabrication, metal cutting, and woodcutting machine tools.

Unlike traditional CNC controls, OpenCNC uses no proprietary hardware or motion control cards. The entire control is delivered on a CD. Because it's unbundled software that runs on off-the-shelf PCs, manufacturers are not locked into proprietary arrangements for hardware, control repair, or control upgrades.

MDSI's business strategy emphasizes technological and price/performance leadership, hardware independence and comprehensive customer-support. The company's customers, spanning many industries, include Boeing, Caterpillar, Dana-Spicer, Detroit Diesel, Emerson Electric, Ford Motor Company, General Electric, General Motors, Lockheed-Martin, Marconi Precision Aerostructures, Tecumseh Products Company, Teledyne, Textron, and Vickers. For more information, visit MDSI's

OpenCNC/OEM reduces engineering costs and enables Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to bring products to market faster, because it leverages standard software development tools and standard off-the-shelf hardware. Because the CNC is open-architecture software running on Microsoft(R) Windows NT(R), OEMs can integrate third-party technologies and provide value-added competitive features of their own to customers.

In today's manufacturing industries, OEMs increasingly recognize the value of a renewable CNC -- an upgradeable software CNC that will not become obsolete before the machine tool does. "OpenCNC/OEM has established a new benchmark in all-software, high-performance, high-volume CNC solutions for OEMs," Fall said.

MDSI has already signed several major license deals with machine tool builders to install the products in new machines. MHO, manufacturer of production-grade compact CNC milling machines, recently made an initial purchase of 100ness and our customers." MHO's machines are oriented to small-part manufacturing needs.

Cubic Machinery, Inc., another OEM customer for MDSI, produces lathes for a variety of industries including optical, electronics and automotive. "Cubic Machinery has created a special machine designed specifically for OpenCNC/OEM, which is an indication of our belief in the quality and effectiveness of this product. Its flexibility allows us to design and deliver a machine in a relatively short period of time," said Joe Lin, president, Cubic Machinery. "OpenCNC/OEM is the ideal product for our customers working to make machining more productive through robotics and mechanics."

"Our mission at MDSI has always been to revolutionize the factory floor through superior, innovative technology," Fall said. "Providing OpenCNC products to machine tool builders as well as manufacturers is a natural progression for our company as we enter the new millenium."

About MDSI

Manufacturing Data Systems, Inc. supplies factory automation software and services that increase manufacturing flexibility and enable agile manufacturing. The company's primary product, OpenCNC, is a software CNC that reduces machine tool control costs and extends the productive life of machine tools. OpenCNC provides an unbundled, open-architecture, high-performance, low-cost software CNC solution for Original Equipment Manufacturers of electronics fabrication, metal cutting, and woodcutting machine tools.

Unlike traditional CNC controls, OpenCNC uses no proprietary hardware or motion control cards. The entire control is delivered on a CD. Because it's unbundled software that runs on off-the-shelf PCs, manufacturers are not locked into proprietary arrangements for hardware, control repair, or control upgrades.

MDSI's business strategy emphasizes technological and price/performance leadership, hardware independence and comprehensive customer-support. The company's customers, spanning many industries, include Boeing, Caterpillar, Dana-Spicer, Detroit Diesel, Emerson Electric, Ford Motor Company, General Electric, General Motors, Lockheed-Martin, Marconi Precision Aerostructures, Tecumseh Products Company, Teledyne, Textron, and Vickers. For more information, visit MDSI's

More compact and inexpensive than traditional milling machines, a machine with the same strength, power, and accuracy to cut high-performance alloys is priced at only US$6,800.

Tormach, innovator of CNC technology, has introduced of its PCNC 1100 CNC, the most affordable 3-axis milling machine on the market. With a base price of only US$6,800, the PCNC 1100 CNC mill represents an entirely new class of machinery, more compact and inexpensive than traditional mills, with the same strength, power, and accuracy to cut high-performance alloys. Tormach coins the term, 'Personal CNC', to describe the product, drawing parallels in cost, size, and ease of use of the personal computer compared to its bulky, room-sized predecessors.

Three years in development, the design of the agile PCNC 1100 combines reliable cast-iron construction with the best of CNC technology to create a simple and robust platform with ample options for user-installed upgrades.

The mill weighs 1130 lb and is equipped with a 1.5HP - well suited for short run and prototyping applications as well as secondary operations.

'Tormach's PCNC release is really the advent of a revolution in CNC which will make the technology far more accessible and far simpler to use,' said Tormach CEO, Greg Jackson.

'Where 3D printers have allowed companies to make prototype replicas in house, this new generation of CNC will enable companies to affordably produce both working prototypes and initial production parts.

Unlike 3D printers, where the material is limited to plastics, materials used in Personal CNC technology are basically anything that can be cut with a tool.' With a modern bed mill style frame and iron construction, the machine is fully capable of cutting iron, steel, titanium, and even chromium alloys such as 300 or 400 series stainless.

Details of the mill include a 4500 rev/min variable-speed spindle, dovetail ways and ground ballscrews, with a 15-point lubrication system and full-bellows covers.

The standard 33.5in x 9.5in table and 17in vertical clearance provides a work envelope suitable to the majority of small or medium parts.

Available upgrades include fourth axis, 20,000 rev/min spindle, integrated stand, and a quick-change tooling system.

All machines are designed by Tormach engineers and built with USA-manufactured electronics, and are sold and supported directly by Tormach LLC.

* About Tormach - the people at Tormach are dedicated to delivering tools, accessories, and components of unprecedented value in the world of CNCand motion control.

Whether customers are involved in R and D, education, short run production, or simply entrepreneurs with new ideas, Tormach products allow them to make what they need easier, quicker, and more affordably.