Machining centre for long, thin components

KASTO News

	Machining centre for long, thin components
KASTO has introduced the new FOM Argo 70 machining centre for manufacturing long, thin components from aluminium and steel profile.

A new, 3-axis machining centre has been introduced by the Italian manufacturer, FOM, for small to medium batch manufacture of window and door frame components as well as other long, thin parts from aluminium and steel profile. The Argo 70 machine, which is equally economical and productive for manufacturing one-off components, is available in the UK through sole agent, KASTO, Southampton.

A full turnkey system can be supplied complete with tooling, CAD/CAM system and programs. Additionally, the supplier can call on a vast archive of existing, international projects configured for companies in the automotive, railway, naval, furniture, aerospace and textile industries.

Designed for highly productive milling and boring operations, the Argo 70 is equipped with a constant-torque, forced air-cooled electro-spindle which is fixed in position, but which can be orientated at 0,90 or 180 degrees on the Argo 70RM model. Spindle power is 4 kW, delivering speeds up to 12,000 rpm.

Working envelope is defined by 7 metres in the longitudinal X axis, one metre in the transverse Y axis, and 351 mm vertical travel of the spindle head (Z). Movement in the two shorter axes is effected via pre-loaded, recirculating ballscrews, offering 25 m/min rapids. Rapid traverse in X, however, which is driven via a rack and pinion with backlash elimination, is an impressive 80 m/min. Positioning accuracy of ± 0.13 mm and repeatability of ± 0.07 mm result in very high precision machining, owing in part to the machine's installed weight of nearly three tonnes.

There is a pneumatic vice for locking the profiles in position during machining, while special clamping systems allow the production of sliding window and door frame components. A six-position, bi-directional magazine for automatic exchange of 30-taper tools in eight seconds allows almost continuous production.

Reflecting the need to minimise programming time, particularly when producing small batches, the control system has impressive 3D CAD/CAM functionality and on-screen graphics showing cutter paths overlaid on the component and its position on the machine. From basic data defining the required machined features, the system generates the program and automatically calculates the optimum locations for extrusion placement and vice positions.

A cutting list or production management system can be integrated with the control. The operator is able to interrupt and restart lists, as information on the current status of the batch run is always available on-screen. Stored within the control are user-expandable archives of tools and previous part programs.