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Tsugami Machine Tools Review from a Medical Manufacturing Perspective
Dan Dean
Medical Manufacturing Specialist
The Robert E. Morris Company
Today’s medical implant and component manufacturers fall into two major groups, I’ve observed. One group focuses on medium to high production products like screws, joint reconstructive products, and needles of all types and uses. The other group focuses on lower production components like patient specific implants or instruments like specialty forceps, reamers, and cutting blocks.
When to Utilize Chucker Mode
Readers of this newsletter will remember seeing several articles about Tsugami models that can be run without or without the guide bushing. The Tsugami BE series, SS series and new S series all feature these ‘convertible’ models. This article will address the specific advantages of cutting without the guide bushing; why one should use chucker mode.
Guide Bushing Fit I
I’ve heard it said more than once that the guide bushing is the heart of a CNC Swiss automatic. To take that analogy a step further, it’s my opinion that if CNC Swiss machinists were heart surgeons, we would have a lot of sick and dead patients. This is hardly surprising since you can’t go to school and get a degree in Swiss turning.
Guide Bushing Fit Part II
Last month in Part 1 Dan Murphy discussed the problems caused by running the guide bushing too tight or too loose, along with the issues created by the bushing’s bore not matching the diameter of the bar even when the bushing is adjusted properly.
In most cases a driven guide bushing needs only to have a snug fit to the bar. With the guide bushing locked or restrained from rotating you should be able to rotate the bar by hand and feel some light to moderate drag on the bar. Often when you perform this check you will find that the bar feels lobed. In other words, as you rotate the bar it feels tight, then loose then tight again.
System Stiffness
While the sliding headstock concept virtually eliminates workpiece deflection, it does not necessarily eliminate machine chatter. In a typical Swiss machining process there are a number of forces at play. The tool is pushing into the work piece and the work piece is pushing back at the tool. The harder these two forces push against each other, the more pressure put on the spindle and all of the other machine components that connect the tool and the spindle ball screws, slides, and structures. The entire system must be rigid enough to resist deflection with the machine itself. This referred to as the Rigidity or Stiffness principle.
Swiss or Chucker
Many models of Tsugami machines can be run as a traditional sliding headstock lathe, or modified to run as a chucker. There are key benefits to both approaches. Watch this presentation to learn more.
ER Collet Conundrum
Given the stringy nature of the chips from cutting 316, plus the cycle time penalty of single point threading, we decided to thread mill. When the job was set up, the thread mill chattered horribly.....The ER collet was technically the right size. The “inch” size shank of the tool was less than 1mm smaller than the ER collet nominal size. The collet nut was tightened down plenty tight. Tight enough where there really should be no question that it was holding onto the shank...more.
BE 12-20 Start/End Post Processor
The BE-12/20 program is a post processor that will write the code at the beginning and the end of your program, for both main and sub spindles. It includies code for part ejection and cut off. Simply input the machining data for your part and it will create the necessary code.
SS 20-32 Start/End Post Processor
The SS-20/32 program is a post processor that will write the code at the beginning and the end of your program, for both main and sub spindles. It includes code for part ejection and cut off. Simply input the machining data for your part and it will create the necessary code.
BW12 Start/End Processor
The SS-20/32 program is a post processor that will write the code at the beginning and the end of your program, for both main and sub spindles. It includes code for part ejection and cut off. Simply input the machining data for your part and it will create the necessary code.
High Pressure Coolant is Critical
Mike Sayers, founder of MP Systems high pressure coolant systems, talks about the advantages high pressure coolant delivers to the machining process.
What is Swiss Turning?
Are you unfamiliar with Swiss turning? Do you tend to think of it as an ideal solution for larger lot sizes and somewhat inpractical for smaller jobs? Do you see it as something only for long round parts? Today's CNC Swiss is capable of so much more. So, if you're looking for an ideal way to produce parts complete in one operation, CNC Swiss might be the best solution for you.
Polygon Turning
Do you need to make prismatic shapes from bar stock? Polygon turning allows you to create prismatic shapes from bar stock quickly. If you're not familiar with the process, you might want to watch this presentation.
Convert for Windows
If you're manually converting Kilowatts to Horsepower, Millimeters to Inches, or any other units of measurement, you might appreciate this great tool. Convert is a free and easy to use unit conversion program that will convert the most popular units of distance, temperature, volume, time, speed, mass, power, density, pressure, energy and many others, including the ability to create custom conversions! Click here for free Download.
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