Contact UsHorizontal Powers Gas Key Production
- Industry: Defense
- Process: Milling
- MGI Division: The Robert E. Morris Company
- Builder Tool: Okuma MILLAC-44H
- Outcome: Customer makes 10,000 gas keys each month, successfully, with minimal cycle time per part.
» Challenge
Help a customer quote and win new opportunity in the defense market.
» Solution
The Okuma & Howa MILLAC 44H is a high-speed horizontal machining center built for high performance production. It features an automatic tool changer with an impressive tool-to-tool time of 1.0 sec. and chip-to-chip time of 3.0 sec. Reduction of coupling inertia increases machine acceleration to 1.0G for a rapid traverse rate of 1,968 ipm. The machine's small footprint makes it a suitable addition to even small shops that need high performance machining capability. Rigid box way construction without overhang creates exceptional stability for precision cuts at high speed and feed rates. Liquid cooled ball screws help reduce the effects of temperature on cutting accuracy. The compact MILLAC 44H can be equipped with an automatic pallet changer and an optional 24-tool magazine, making it a versatile addition to any shop's machine inventory.
» Assessment
One of our excellent customers came to us with a new opportunity for this company: producing M16 gas keys. This project would require specifying a new machine, special tooling, and a custom workholding solution. The defense contractor said, "We will need as many as you can make, so pump up the volume." Our engineers worked closely with a tooling provider to develop the optimum cutters for the high production job. We can't say much about it, as it is proprietary as is the innovative fixture we designed. Happily, we'll talk about the machine we specified all day long!
» Results
The customer did win the business and makes about 10,000 of these gas keys each month. He says he can sell as many as he can make. This was another good example of how our engineers can collaborate with others to create the optimum manufacturing technology solution, customized for a particular part.
