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Volume production subcontract machinist Rodmatic Multico has been able to reduce cycle times on its re-engineered multi-spindle automatic lathes between 30 and 50 per cent following the retooling of a machine from high speed steel to solid carbide. The company, that has 38 Wickman multi-spindle machines and has been persuaded by certain customers to increase output in preference to them sourcing parts overseas and so is progressively re-engineering and upgrading its machines.
Said Terry O'Sullivan, works manager: "We started the programme of re-engineering the machines in October and this Wickman 1"-6 machine was the first to be completed and has been on tooling development cutting trails for four months. Not only have we reduced cycle times that will lead to a rapid payback for the work completed — we now have a more consistent production, with improved machine utilisation, lower overall tool usage and much faster tool changing."
Three components produced out of mild steel and EN8 that are regularly machined in batches of 52,000, 30,000 and 10,000 were used in the trials that involved standard Iscar cutting tools, Guhring solid carbide drills and Cleveland cobalt recess blanks and carbide circular form tools. Tapping is now performed using special coated taps. The machines, as a result of the reconditioning, are running at up to 1,500 revs/min and have demonstrated significant improvements in rigidity, repeatability and accuracy from station to station.
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One of 38 Wickman multi-spindle automatic lathes being re-engineered and tooled for carbide at Rodmatic Multico
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