Product category:
Linear Position Sensors
News Release from: ACI (UK) | Subject: Acu-Rite DRO systems
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 19 March 2004
DROs handle wear and tear of training
work
Joanne Naylor believes that it is very important for trainee production engineers and machine operators to be competent manual machinists before they are allowed anywhere near a CNC machine tool.
Joanne Naylor believes that it is very important for trainee production engineers and machine operators to be competent manual machinists before they are allowed anywhere near a CNC machine tool "They need to know the rudiments of metal cutting - rather than simply just hitting a button and letting the machine cut the metal, as it were
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 23 Aug 2000 at 8.00am (UK)
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They need to experience at first hand the behaviour of the tool, the material and the machine when producing even the simplest, two-dimensional part", she says.
As second year machine shop instructor at Gen II, Engineering and Technology Training, the Workington (Cumbria) based company that specialises in providing foundation (18-month) and advanced (four-year) Modern Apprenticeships as well as commercial training throughout Cumbria and the North West, Naylor explains that some of the machine tools used in the training centre have taken more than their fair share of wear and tear over the years, and how it has been beneficial to update them with Acu-Rite DRO systems - and in some cases fit new precision glass scale linear encoders.
The result is machines that function effectively, and "are more than suitable for our purposes".
Gen II's mission is based on an unbridled commitment to high-quality training aligned to the needs of local industry.
It is focused on generating economic benefits and enhanced opportunities for both employers and employees.
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"We always take machining back to its grass roots for all our first-year students", continues Naylor.
This means we don't even let them near a DRO system, let alone CNC, until they have mastered handwheel operation on a variety of manual lathes and milling machines".
However, once that stage is reached, Gen II trainees can utilise a host of Acu-Rite DROs to hone their machining skills and knowledge.
Supplied by Acu-Rite's North East distributor, Hi-Tec Machine Services of Gateshead, predominantly model 200M and 200T (milling and turning, respectively) systems are in use.
Incorporating a number of sophisticated yet easy-to-use features - ie full and partial hole pattern calculations, centreline calculation, single tool diameter compensation and electronic edge finder input (on the milling systems) and, for example, nine-tool offset library, radius/diameter conversion and axis lock function for tool offset qualification on the turning series - Naylor admits that despite their powerful functionality, the systems are at first used simply as counters/measures.
An important feature of Acu-Rite's precision glass scale linear encoders is the EverTrack absolute reference system that enables the DRO to always know its position in absolute terms.
EverTrack always keeps track of the position - even if the power is interrupted - and so eliminates the need for awkward battery backup solutions.
EverTrack uses a reference index track comprising two sets of marks.
Each set has the same distance between its own marks while the relationship between each set is unique.
Thus by moving across two marks anywhere on the scale the system will know exactly where it is.
"We've always used Acu-Rite systems and found them ideal for our needs", she says.
"In fact, last year when we needed to update eight systems, we did look at other DROs, but returned to Acu-Rite due to their ease of use.
Also, we've always found that Hi-Tec Machine Services provides excellent service back-up, which is important in an environment such as ours where the systems are 'well used'".
Gen II was established in 1999 as a joint venture between five international companies - British Nuclear Fuels, Corus, Iggesund Paperboard, UCB Surface Specialities and AMEC - which supplied much of the initial funding and most of the production equipment when Gen II was launched.
Today, with 50 staff and 350 trainees on three sites, Gen II is a self-sufficient company specialising in the provision of a wide range of adult- and youth-based training programmes.
These include engineering and technical, health and safety, IT, behavioural competencies, training administration and management with supervisory skills.
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