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Thursday 07 August 2008

Case study: customising CNC for fast aluminium machining

NUM’s Axium CNC platform controls the machining centre, its ten motion axes, the robot heads, and various sensors and actuatorsMKM International has cooperated with NUM to modify a standard computer numerical controller (CNC controller), resulting in an integrated single-stage processing line for aluminium profiles.

The automated end-to-end machining solution replaces old multi-stage, semi-manual production processes. Two five-axis robot heads machine all six sides of 9m long aluminium profiles within a single pass.

According to the companies, the new line increases production speed dramatically because the entire process is automatic with bar code identification of materials. It also eliminates sources of human error.

NUM’s Axium CNC platform controls the machining centre, its ten motion axes, the robot heads, and various sensors and actuators. The controller provider worked with the metal fabricator in customising the controller for optimal peroformance.

The harmonic drive motor interface was also customised to provide the system with a higher than usual range of performance, motion and compactness. The hollow shaft servomotor with backlash-free gearing was used as an alternative to belts and planetary gearboxes.

Another modification involved integrating a specialised third-party spindle motor with NUM’s digital drive and purpose-designed high-speed bus, resulting in compactness.

NUM is MKM's CNC technology partner and the two companies have cooperated together on numerous special-purpose machine projects.

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