Product category:
Gears, brakes, couplings and engines
News Release from: Harmonic Drive UK | Subject: Harmonic Drive HFUC gearboxes
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 06 April 2006
Gearboxes help automatic part loader
Gearboxes play role in an automated part loader for use with lathes for the high precision machining of cylindrical and other turned components.
The latest Harmonic Drive HFUC gearboxes are playing a role in an automated part loader (APL), developed and made by Colchester Lathes for use with its Tornado lathes for the high precision machining of cylindrical and other turned components The gearboxes provide accuracy and repeatability, with zero backlash and high torsional stiffness, to ensure that raw materials are automatically rotated to the correct position before machining
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 1 Aug 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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Colchester Lathes makes conventional centre lathes and manual CNC lathes, with its machines being used in applications throughout the world.
The company's systems offer high levels of performance and reliability, with systems such as the Tornado T6MS with automatic part loaders and integrated bar feeders being suitable for use in lights-out production areas.
The T6MS is a five axis machine, capable of main spindle speeds of 6000rev/min and with a 6000rev/min sub-spindle timed for on-the-fly component exchange.
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The system is fitted with a GE Fanuc controller and is available with an optional APL unit, which has been developed to eliminate manual feed of raw materials, and incorporates a gripper arrangement to let it handle a range of bar and rod sizes and diameters.
David Parker, Design Engineer at Colchester Lathes, said: "Key to the functionality of the APL is its ability to rotate and position work pieces precisely and to be able to maintain this level of accuracy time after time at high operating speeds".
The HFUC gear unit is constructed from a precision machined three-part assembly, comprising wave generator, flexspline and circular spline, which combine to form a robust gear component set.
This system provides positional accuracy to within one minute of arc, with repeatability of a few seconds of arc, plus a high torque capacity, torsional stiffness, zero backlash and a good torque-volume and weight relationship.
The gear unit incorporates a shortened flexspline with a high stiffness cross roller bearing to support output loads and to eliminate the need for additional output bearing assemblies.
Parker said: "This enabled us to reduce our design and manufacturing costs, with Harmonic Drive adapting the gear units to allow us to interface them directly to standard Fanuc servo motors".
"In addition, the small size and relatively low weight of the HFUC meant that we could keep the overall dimensions of our APL system to a minimum".
"The APL has been specifically designed to be as flexible as possible, to appeal to a wider range of markets and customers".
"We are also planning to manufacture more APL units in both smaller and larger sizes in the future, and will certainly be looking to Harmonic Drive to provide us with the right products for the job".
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