Machining Centers produce near-dry chips.
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Press Release Summary:
HFN-R40H fixed column HMC drills deep oil holes in steel crankshafts with depth-to-diameter ratios greater than 16:1, at speeds up to 24 ipm. It uses just 2 oz of cutting fluid/hour. HFN-P40H traveling-column machine achieves traverse rates up to 2,950 ipm. Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) system delivers mixture of air and oil droplets to workpiece through conventional tools with coolant channels. Fluid quantities are programmed for each individual operation.Original Press Release:
Marubeni America and Horkos Demonstrate Productivity Gains with Near-Dry Machining at IMTS
Two HORKOS near-dry machining centers will demonstrate the potential of Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) in deep-hole drilling and other applications in the Marubeni America Corp. and HORKOS booth shared at IMTS in September. Visitors to Booth A8775 will see the HORKOS HFN-R40H fixed-column horizontal machining center with MQL system drill deep oil holes in steel crankshafts at a penetration rate 4 to 10 times faster than previous best practices. The near-dry machining center will drill
holes with depth-to-diameter ratios greater than 16 to 1, at speeds up to 24 ipm. It nevertheless uses just 2 oz of cutting fluid per hour.
IMTS visitors will also see a HORKOS HFN-P40H traveling column machine perform a variety of near-dry machining operations on aluminum and steel parts. It will achieve traverse rates up to 2,950 ipm (75m/min.). Both high-throughput MQL machines dramatically cut fluid consumption, and they virtually eliminate coolant-related costs often estimated to be as much as 15% of total operating cost.
Continuous videos at the Marubeni/HORKOS booth will show how MQL
machining produces near-dry chips when drilling, reaming, boring and tapping steel, aluminum, or cast iron. While wet machining systems flood work areas with gallons of coolant, near-dry machining mixes just milliliters of cutting fluid with shop air. With oil and air mixed within the spindle, the HORKOS MQL system delivers a mixture of air and oil droplets to the workpiece through conventional tools with coolant channels. Fluid quantities are programmed for each individual operation.
The HFN-P40H machine will demonstrate an automated pallet changer that inverts workpieces to evacuate chips without the cost and environmental penalties of flood cutting fluid.
Gaining Acceptance
Since the last IMTS, HORKOS MQL systems have gained acceptance in the U.S. automotive industry. Eleven crankshaft-producing machines are being installed at a major automaker's plant in Tennessee. An MQL study with HORKOS machines is underway, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense and managed by the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS). The final NCMS report, due out this year, will quantify the cost savings and part quality advantages of near-dry machining.
Marubeni Corp. has also signed an agreement making Tri-Way Manufacturing Technologies Corp. exclusive North American agents for HORKOS machine tools that produce connecting rods and camshafts. As a trusted name in the auto industry, Tri-Way
will integrate HORKOS MQL machining centers and machine modules into automated transfer lines. Tri-Way Manufacturing Technologies is also the exclusive distributor of Horkos machine tools in Ontario and Quebec.
The Marubeni America booth at IMTS will also feature a range of HORKOS machining products, including single- and multi-axis feed units, transfer machines, and indexing tables.
HORKOS machining centers are available through its trading company, Marubeni America Corp. For more information, contact Marubeni America Corp, 8655 Ronda Drive, Canton, MI 48187, phone: (734) 354-7940 fax: 734-354-7939, website: www.horkos.com
