Posted to News on 21st Feb 2014, 14:11
ROBODRILL evolution at R&G Precision
When R&G Precision Engineering purchased a system for fast drilling and tapping in 1992, a FANUC ROBODRILL 14T, they had little idea that the range of machining centres would evolve into a highly flexible system for machining complete jobs.
Over 20 years since that first purchase and specialist engineering business R&G Precision has seven ROBODRILL vertical machines, including 14T and 21T, producing high-quality throughput for the aerospace, motor sport, medical, oil and gas and MoD sectors. Based in Wellingborough and operating since 1974, the business operates with a strong resource of milling, EDM, grinding and turning machines.
Enzo Chiarelli, Managing Director of R&G Precision Engineering, explains: "We originally went for ROBODRILL because of its spindle speed and price, but follow-on purchases have reliability as a key factor; the original machine remains an important resource to us and still runs efficiently. Delivery demands for all the sectors we serve are similar now - if we can action work with short-lead times for the motor sport sector it becomes the requirement for aerospace as well.
"So speed is essential - the quicker we can get work off a machine the better. ROBODRILL has slowly evolved into a bigger machining centre with a faster and larger diameter spindle and more beefed up construction. With a longer bed and FANUC's high speed 4th rotary axis we're machining complete jobs with 20-30mm cavities."
Helping to reduce cycle times, on all seven ROBODRILLS, is FANUC's DDR system for high speed control of the x-axis (4th axis). DDR is a direct drive zero backlash linear motor that eliminates waiting time for table positioning. A DDR-T option (5th axis) is available which combines a tailstock for fast turnover positioning requirements.
Although R&G Precision is machining mainly aluminium components on its ROBODRILLs, later versions of the machine, the ±-DiA series, have a high-rigidity framework making it equally suitable for cutting cast iron.
Control has led the evolution of increased performance, with the latest iteration being the 31 i-B5 control system. Enzo concludes: "All our programmes are generated offline; programming wise and functionality - you get to find that FANUC is becoming the norm - and straight-forward for our operators and setters."
For further information about the FANUC ROBODRILL 14T and other products, please visit www.fanuc.eu.
