Retrofit CNCs convert analogue lathes

With a 150-year history, globally renowned lathe manufacturer Dean Smith and Grace has plenty of experience when it comes to selecting key supplier partners to work on its machine tool products. However, in recent times the newly appointed management team at DSG re-evaluated its best methods for taking the company forward. Strategy regarding new build machines was deemed straightforward, but a way of generating a profitable retrofit enterprise from its abundant fleet of ageing lathes in the field, was proving more difficult.

However, following discussions with Siemens Automation and Drives, a control and software solution was offered that overcame all of the difficulties faced.

'We basically required a mode of converting analogue-based lathes into modern, CNC-controlled machine tools without incurring excessive costs,' explains Nigel Grainger, managing director of DSG.

'I visited the Siemens stand at the MACH 2004 exhibition and they recommended their Sinumerik 840Di with Shopturn job shop software.' One of the Siemens staff members on the stand that day was sales manager Andy Hodgson, who takes up the story: 'The DSG analogue lathes use Philips control equipment.

We demonstrated to Nigel our 840Di CNC system explaining its extensive range of features including the analogue signal feature that allows it to interface with any make or model of drive system using analogue commands.

He was so impressed he bought our exhibition unit there and then.

Since the show, DSG has taken five further units and is now looking at Siemens controls and drives for new build DSG machines.

The Sinumerik 840Di with Shopturn solution offered by Siemens allows DSG to refurbish its lathes, returning them to 'as new' capability.

'It has proved to be very cost effective for us,' continues Grainger, 'Which means in turn we can offer a low-cost upgrade option to any user of a DSG lathe built since the mid-1970s.' One such user is Neophix Engineering, a Keighley, UK-based manufacturer of products such as connecting clamps, hose clamps, mounting straps, retaining straps and V-profile clamps for industries such as earthmoving, motorsport, food processing, telecommunications, marine, nuclear, mining and petrochemical.

The company uses a DSG 1508 lathe fitted with Siemens controls to manufacture components in large batches.

'We are very pleased with the machine,' says Jonathan Driver of Neophix.

'It has met all of our expectations and more.

The control is particularly impressive.' The 840Di is a totally integrated system built upon a standard Windows XP platform and an industrial PC with a Pentium processor, all of which amounts to greater speed, accuracy and flexibility.

Shopturn software reduces set-up time because workpiece programming and tool measurements are reduced to a few button pushes, while programming errors can easily be identified and corrected before cutting begins.

The simple and logical format of the interface and the intuitive structure of its operating commands and routines enable operators to program workpieces graphically and without prior G-code training.

The use of the 840Di with Shopturn has extended the capability of DSG lathes considerably.

According to Grainger, the system's functionality, ease of use and expanded memory capacity, make the company's machines an altogether more adept range of products.

Thus far, DSG has incorporated the Siemens retrofit solution on to its 1508 and 2413 range of two-axis centre lathes, and now offers Siemens as an option on new build machines.

'Overall we are very pleased with the system,' he concludes.

'Our customers like it and we like it - it has definitely helped DSG to win new orders.'


http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/sie/sie154.html