Very numerous subcontracting workshops own modern and efficient machining centers... and finish their parts on very ancient slotting machines. Weakest links of these productions, these machines can advantageously be replaced by NC controlled slotting machines. Interview with Jean-Bernard Naudon, representative agent for France, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Belgium of C.A.M.S., the Italian machine producer.
The four NC axes allows not only to gain set-up time but brings also a far better management of feed and machining.
In the area of the realization of groove in second operation, most companies work with quite old means of production. With its NC machines, C.A.M.S. differs widely from other manufacturers. Mr. Naudon says: "All machines offered by C.A.M.S. are NC controlled, even the simplest one axis machine is numerical. With these products we bring the slotting operations to a new level! We offer real cutting centers capable of achieving internal or external grooves, square or hexagonal shapes as well as gears in blind or through holes".
NC controlled, still very rigid Having a flexible NC machine does not mean that the mechanical aspect has been put aside from design. C.A.M.S. has been realizing slotting machines for 35 years and rigidity as well as mechanical finish have always been among its strengths. Made in wide thickness electrowelded steel, the frame is reinforced by numerous ribs to withstand the strongest tensions. Head slides are adjusted by scraping.Tables are realized in melted cast iron and all slides are ground and scraped. Stability of the whole is therefore absolutely guaranteed.
Advanced features Slotting tools are based on a principle similar to turning tools, a bar makes the tool body on which the cutting insert is mounted. We can cut many shapes of groove. Standard widths range from 10 mm to bigger, but smaller tools for thinner or special grooves are also available. Mr. Naudon says: "There are numerous possibilities of tooling and this is never a point that hamper parts realization". In addition to this broad flexibility due to tools, the programming software includes many "in-house" macros that multiply possibilities, for example edges chamfering, tangential slotting, second operation on grooves, grooves on blind holes without outgoing score, conical slotting and many more.
With C.A.M.S. slotting operations have boldly entered the 21th century.
We will go into deeper detail in one of our next issue…
C.A.M.S. s.r.l. Via S. Stefano n. 10 35010 Santa Giustina in Colle (PD) Italy Tel. +39.049.5790272 Fax: +39.049.930022 www.cams.it
JB NAUDON Industrial representative 20, rue de Palerme 49300 CHOLET Tel. +33 02 41 62 82 28 Fax +33 02 41 55 88 40 [email protected] www.mortaiseuses.com
