FlexArm A-32 Tapping Arm Base Machining Upgrade
At FlexArm improvement is something we always strive for, and that’s exactly what we are accomplishing with this new machining process. As featured in the video above, we are machining the base for the A-32 tapping arm.
Previously, we used the ST-10 (2 axis lathe) and TM-3(3 axis mill) together to produce the base. With this old process it took three operations and nearly twenty minutes to machine each part. We’ve now improved the process and reduced the time to only six and a half minutes of machining time per part.
Our new process uses the DS30 or Dual Spindle Lathe. It greatly improves our machining time by nearly thirteen and a half minutes and reduces our operations to only one. This time improvement is greatly due to the reduce in handling and preparation by the operator. With this new process, each part only needs to be prepared and removed once, versus 2 separate preparations with the old process.
The new process also perfects the process by improving the bore tolerance and flatness of the face. The boar tolerance is now .005 inch, and the faces are entirely flat within .001 inch.
This new process helps improve our machining time and accuracy, meet goals, and strive for continual improvement.
