GF Machining Solutions says its new Automated Machine Calibration (AMC) helps manufacturers recalibrate their milling machines and recover overall precision at the push of a button.
Over time, any assembled mechanical system becomes prone to losing its original calibration and precision due to heat and external factors and milling machines are no exception. Although machines are all calibrated at the factory after assembly and during commissioning, changes in a customer's working environment – including ambient temperature variations and heat generated during the machining process – cause deviations from this original calibration.
This can often result in process consistency and precision being affected, which in turn impacts on part quality.
Recalibrating a milling machine, especially a 5-axis model, is a complex task requiring the necessary materials, time, and the constant availability of thoroughly trained application engineers with sound technical knowledge and data management skills. Even when all of these requirements are met, manufacturers still run the risk of human error in the data management for the machine calibration.
To simplify machine calibration, GF Machining Solutions has developed its all-in-one, ready-to-use AMC package which allows operators of both 3-and 5-axis machines to easily and quickly perform a machine recalibration to recover the overall long-term precision required for high-quality parts.
The AMC cycle consists of both the software for the Heidenhain TNC 640 control as well as the hardware (a dedicated pallet including a calibration ball and an aluminium reference block) for pallet calibration. Its ergonomic interface is easy to use, requires little training and the automatic data management reduces human error, minimises downtime between cycles, and increases operator availability.
To recover the machine's geometry, operators simply start the program and are guided by the interface. The AMC then assesses and adjusts all key components that are necessary: the touch probe (length of the touch probe and radius of the stylus); the tool measuring system (the location of the laser beam in relation to the machine's zero point); and the B- and C-axes (the pivot point of the B- and C-axes in relation to the machine's zero point).
Once deployed, the AMC recalibrates any machine within 10 minutes to its original kinematic precision. And thanks to its 100% reliability, it is a fast, accurate and secure solution for manufacturers looking to maintain their machines' dimensional offsets on a regular basis and guarantee high accuracy parts.
GF Machining Solutions currently offers AMC as a standard package on its 3- and 5-axis Mikron Mill S and Mikron Mill X series, allowing users to achieve best-in-class standard calibration cycles.
The package can be tailored according to manufacturers' individual requirements, for example by including advanced optional Smart Machine Module (SMM) bundles for specific application requirements.
GF Machining Solutions www.gfms.com/uk
