PR 2008-04a of 17.11.2008
The company vhf camfacture AG from Ammerbuch near Stuttgart in Germany has developed a four axis CNC machining system with a rotary axis especially for jewellery production and other high-precision production applications: CAM 4-02 Impression. It serves as well for milling and engraving precise wax models which are necessary for casting rings, bracelets, pendants, medals and the like, as for directly processing wood, plastics or metal.
This system is completely encapsulated in a compact table housing with integrated suction holes. Its positioning range in x, y and z direction amounts to 120 x 90 x 70 mm with a repetition accuracy of +/- 0.003 mm. A high frequency spindle with up to 60,000 RPM enables high rates of feed and because of its top true running accuracy the use of very fine tools. Due to a tool change station with automatic length determination for five tools, the whole machining process can proceed without any further intervention of the operator.
All the handling is quite easy: the user chooses from a provided set of four fixing devices for round objects and plates an appropriate one for his object. The rotary axis with its backlash-free harmonic drive has a pneumatic collet chuck, so the fixing device can be exchanged within seconds. After that it will be measured automatically so that possible deviations will be compensated. In the clearly laid out control software all settings will be made for the fully automated output of the 3D data set which has been previously generated by the CAM software.
A wax model with its perfect surface which has been created in such a way can be used directly for the casting process. After that the pieces of jewellery do not have to be filed any more – in opposite to the common method using wax printers. So the risk is avoided that finest details on the jewellery may be damaged with the file. On top of that, the total processing speed is considerably higher.
An essential enhancement of the application range is given by the possibility to process materials like wood, plastics or metal directly. Because of a repetition accuracy of a few micrometres, finest structures can be carved out. Optionally a minimum quantity lubrication can be connected. So it becomes possible to process all kinds of metals through to steel. The application thus may widely outreach the field of jewellery production.
The new system CAM 4-02 Impression is offered for a complete price of 25.000 Euros including delivery, installation and introduction within Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Jörn Vogt M. A.
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4 Axis Machining System CAM 4-02 Impression including controller, high frequency spindle with automatic tool change; the working area is equipped with a O fixing device with one wax plate |
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Different kinds of fixing devices, from left to right: O fixing device (with green wax plate), U fixing device for holding one large wax plate, three-jaw chuck (with a blue round rod), fixing device for rings (with a finished wax ring), H fixing device for holding two wax plates (optional equipment) |
