Hone tool and air gage system integrates easily onto flexible HMC’s allowing compressor OEM to produce “any part, any day”. https:
Industrial News Buzz - Hone tool and air gage system integrates easily onto flexible HMC's allowing compressor OEM to produce "any part, any day".
Bates Technologies, LLC has completed the installation of its most diverse mix of CNC hone tooling and air gauging systems designed for use on flexible horizontal machining centers (HMC) to date. The application originated from a global compressor OEM who called upon Bates to develop a complete rough and finish honing process designed to run on a common fixture and setup arrangement used by them to machine other part details on the compressor bodies they produced. The company was also seeking to eliminate extensive part handling and to make improvements on overall part quality. To meet their objectives, Bates engineered and built multiple precision honing tools ranging in diameter from 2.500 to 6.000 designed to fit in CAT 50 holders and to function within the control platform of a horizontal machining center.
The majority of these tools utilize the Bates Precision Air Gage System (PAGS) which allowed for live on board air gauging of the cylinder bores as they are being honed. Darrell Day, President of Bates notes that This project began as a "what if" discussion between the OEM and our sales/product development team during a SME Honing Clinic.
With our direction and the assistance of a major machine tool manufacturer the concept was put to paper and agreed upon. Shortly afterwards two new HMC's were purchased and built to accommodate the Bates honing and air gauging system to meet the OEM's requirements for "one fixture, one setup" part processing. This led to dramatic reductions in machining and transfer time and improvements in both part quality and process capabilities.
Bates manufacturers and supports hone tooling and abrasive products used in bore finishing and honing applications worldwide. The company specializes in providing its products for use on any make or model of dedicated hone machines as well as on many flexible style CNC machining centers.
For further information regarding this application call Bates at 317-841-2400 (ext. 121).
