I'm working on a project to automate a couple of OPs on a 7" dia cast iron part. I'll give our current config, and issues and then propose my questions so bare with me. Also the part has a step on both sides with a taper to the middle and a boss in the middle of both sides. Thanks in advance for your help.
OP 10 - QC inspection
OP 20 - Prep of "Side A" (Regular 3 finger jaws with manual clamping is used) (This is done on a GT-20, we run about 500 parts in a few shifts and then we are done for a month with this op)
OP 30 - Side A is loaded towards the spindle and some roughing is done. The part is flipped about 3 times. (Custom pie jaws are used currently with hydraulic clamping) (This is done on an old SC-300) About 30 per day are run
OP 40 - Loaded into a VMC dual station fixture, to mill some through holes and drill center boss. (This is done on an old Matsuura 800v)
OP 50 - Finish turning of "Side A" called off from center boss. (This is done on a SL-30)
OP 60 - Finish turning of "Side B" called off from center boss. (This is done on a SL-30) (3 Tools are different than OP 50, the SL doesn't have the tool capacity)
I know there are about 1.5 million different ways to manufacture this part, but that is out of my control for now. I was tasked by the owner of the company to "Automate" this process. Right now I'm not able to buy a new machine with more tool capacity or with live tooling so until then I'm stuck with what we have. Right now my thinking is to add a robot to handle OP 30 but with the goal of combining OP 20 & 30. Then in the near future suggest a machine that will produce a complete part in 1 load.
My question is; does anybody have any ideas or suggestions for work holding of irregular sized raw cast iron and then also a turned part.
I might be able to send some pictures through PM, but it will be very limited due to ITAR regulations and our customer's strict confidentiality requirements.
Thanks again.
OP 10 - QC inspection
OP 20 - Prep of "Side A" (Regular 3 finger jaws with manual clamping is used) (This is done on a GT-20, we run about 500 parts in a few shifts and then we are done for a month with this op)
OP 30 - Side A is loaded towards the spindle and some roughing is done. The part is flipped about 3 times. (Custom pie jaws are used currently with hydraulic clamping) (This is done on an old SC-300) About 30 per day are run
OP 40 - Loaded into a VMC dual station fixture, to mill some through holes and drill center boss. (This is done on an old Matsuura 800v)
OP 50 - Finish turning of "Side A" called off from center boss. (This is done on a SL-30)
OP 60 - Finish turning of "Side B" called off from center boss. (This is done on a SL-30) (3 Tools are different than OP 50, the SL doesn't have the tool capacity)
I know there are about 1.5 million different ways to manufacture this part, but that is out of my control for now. I was tasked by the owner of the company to "Automate" this process. Right now I'm not able to buy a new machine with more tool capacity or with live tooling so until then I'm stuck with what we have. Right now my thinking is to add a robot to handle OP 30 but with the goal of combining OP 20 & 30. Then in the near future suggest a machine that will produce a complete part in 1 load.
My question is; does anybody have any ideas or suggestions for work holding of irregular sized raw cast iron and then also a turned part.
I might be able to send some pictures through PM, but it will be very limited due to ITAR regulations and our customer's strict confidentiality requirements.
Thanks again.
