Machining system upgrade produces precision polygon turning

International Survey Two.shell fenders streamline the Streamline The Scania truck cab, Streamline, has been designed to provide good aerodynamics and to achieve a 12-15 % lowering of air resistance. An air drag coefficient of around 0.5 has been largely obtained by adapting the lower parts of the cab in accordance with the results of wind tunnel testing, in all, up to 5% lower fuel consumption is obtained. The door extensions and fenders have been moulded in GE Plastics' Noryl GTX 940, a modified PPO resin. It is a super-tough grade which can be painted on line with other body components. It retains high impact performance at low temperatures after being subjected to paint oven temperatures. The f e n d e r s are a single moulding and the door extensions comprise an inner and outer skin, both moulded in the same material to form a two-shell construction for added stiffness. GE Plastics, Birchwood Park, Risley, Warrington WA3 6DA, UK. Tel: +44 (0)925 811522.

Sensing double sheets Machining system upgrade Small non-contact double sheet produces precision polygon turning detectors for thin gauge steel or aluminium, designed for operation at high sheet transportation speeds, have been developed by Jung-

michel lndustrleelektronik. A detector consists of a pair of identical sensors fitted in opposition to each other on each side of the gap through which the sheets pass. A signal amplifier may be sited up to 3m away. The sheet thickness and material dictate the maximum allowable size of the gap, which d e c r e a s e s as s h e e t thickness increases. Sensor dimensions are 30mm diameter, 25mm length. When a double sheet is detected, the amplifier output causes the offending sheets to be ejected from the line by triggering the sheet ejector, or alternatively stops the machine so that the sheets can be removed. Jungmichel Industrieelektronik, Weldpark 7, D-7531 Eisingen, Germany. Tel: +49 7232 8740.

MATERIALS & DESIGN Vol. 12 No. 4 AUGUST 1991

An upgrade to the latest GE Fanuc Series O CNC system can generate polygonal forms without the need for second operation work either on or off the machine. Both the component and the tool holder can be rotated at a fixed ratio to generate a variety of polygonal forms. For example, a rotation ratio of 1:2, using a tool with three cutters at 120 intervals will produce a hexagon. Typical applications include the production of square or hexagonal

bolt heads and hexagonal nuts. Machining time is short, as the operation is carried out in the main cycle, without the need to stop the spindle and start a second operation sequence using a milling cutter, in combination with spindle indexing, in a driven station in the lathe turret. Further information: GE Fanuc Automation, Pitfieid, Kiln Farm, Milton Keynes MK11 3LL, UK. Tel: + 4 4 (0)908 2 6 0 2 0 0 .

CMC turnin9 s zlstem incorporatin9 polygon turning capability

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