Kitagawa Showcases Latest Workholding And Machining Equipment At Mach 2008

Developed specifically to boost the productivity of a wide range of CNC manufacturing equipment, including lathes, grinders, rolling equipment and machining centres, IEMCA’s Automata 2.5 is an integrated gantry system for automatically feeding, unloading and storing bulk components.

With a standard load/unload cycle time of just seven seconds, the equipment offers positional repeatability of ±0.1mm and will accommodate unmachined parts weighing up to 2.5 kg as standard. A 5 kg component option is also available. The ruggedly constructed Automata 2.5 incorporates accurate, plc controlled component location and easy-to-learn, intuitive controls. It also features a standard retooling time of seven minutes – making it a perfect choice for busy machine shops with short production runs.

The system measures 1400 mm (L) x 1800 mm (W) x 2600 mm (H) and is physically isolated from the equipment it services, eliminating the transmission of mechanical vibration and maintaining access to the machine tool’s doors. The Automata 2.5 is supplied network-ready for fast and simple installation and is equipped with remote diagnostics and on-line software updates. The use of high capacity palletisers or stackers with the gantry system not only allows lathes to be operated unattended, but also enables several machine tools to be controlled by a single operator, significantly increasing productivity.

Kitagawa’s TW2180 is an advanced twin table, tilting axis rotary unit capable of supporting simultaneous machining of two workpieces in a single set up. It measures just 999 mm wide and features two 180 mm diameter tables with maximum indexing speeds of 33.3 rev/min. In addition, the new TW2180 provides a tilt range of +110 degrees of vertical and a tilt axis speed of up to 16.6 rev/min.

With clamping torques of 400 Nm in the rotary axis and up to 800 Nm in the tilting axis, the new TW2180 is suitable for aggressive, high speed machining operations. It can also be fitted with an optional rotary joint, which allows pneumatic or hydraulic fixtures to be used without external pipework – improving tool access and increasing the available machining area.

Kitagawa’s newly introduced JFT-S100 stationary gripping meter provides dual benefits of improved manufacturing quality and increased operator safety. The compact, battery-powered unit accurately measures the load exerted on workpieces by chucks or other workholding equipment. It is available with two or three point measurement and suitable for components up to 75 mm diameter.

The meter provides readings in 0.1 kN increments up to a maximum value of 100kN with a repeatability of better than +2% and outputs results on an easy-to-read backlit LCD display. The JFT-S100 weighs just 1.3 kg and incorporates an automatic zero adjustment, low battery alarm and power saving ‘auto off’ facility. It also features simple controls and an onboard memory facility, making it equally suitable for general machine shop or critical workholding applications.

Kitagawa’s new products at MACH will be complemented by examples from the company’s extensive range of machine chucks and rotary tables. Items on show will include its B200 series, the world’s most popular chuck range, as well as 2,3 and 4 jaw manual chucks, 2 and 3 jaw, standard and long stroke, open and through hole power chucks – offering internal, external, parallel and draw back gripping capabilities. In addition, the company will be demonstrating a number of special purpose models, including finger chucks for automotive wheel manufacture or irregular shaped workpieces.

Kitagawa’s display of rotary tables will include fixed and tilting head, single and multiple axis units suitable for both vertical or horizontal machining applications, along with water and rust proof models for EDM work. All Kitagawa rotary tables provide high grip strength and can either interface directly with the machine tool’s controller or be supplied with the company’s complementary Mac Mini, MMiH or MMiH2 control units.