BM Injection: Renovating equipment to improve production capacity (Part 1)

BM Injection is an experienced and specialized supplier of plastic products in the UK. Recently, the company has invested in renovating a number of factory equipment in preparation for an automation plan with the aim of improving overall equipment productivity.

For tool steel machining process, until recently, BM Injection was still using a 3-axis vertical machining (VMC). The hardness of the material is always a challenge for this device. Usually the hardness of steel materials is usually up to 58 HRC (high hardness level on Rockwell scale), so with only one 3-axis milling machine, both productivity and machine life are not guaranteed.

With the aim of digitizing and automating operations in the factory, BM Injection leaders have invested in 5-axis VMC milling equipment – Japanese-made Makino D200Z with spark processing technology (EDM). If not to mention the outstanding precision of the 5-axis milling machine compared to the 3-axis series, Makino D200Z also has a series of other advantages to meet the needs of BM Injection.

With an integrated chuck design to maximize load capacity, the D200Z can hold workpieces up to 300mm in diameter, 210mm in height and weighing up to 75 kg. The X, Y and Z stroke axes (limited to 350mm, 300mm and 250mm respectively) provide fast movement at 60m / min fast feed and cutting speeds. The D200Z has also adopted a unique, lightweight B-axis profile with 180 degree (0 to +180) inclination at 100 rpm. Both the B-axis and the C-axis that rotate (360 degrees continuously at 150 rpm) have direct drive motors for fast, precise, high-speed, and sharp angle and rotation.

The wide die and cool core cooled lead screw act as the foundation for all machine components, enhancing overall process stability. The HSK-E50 spindle at 30,000 rpm is designed with a high-tech shell and shaft cooling system to tightly control heat growth, deflection and vibration during speed machining operations. high. Consequently, the D200Z extends tool life and has an exceptional surface finish even in highly compatible applications.

With flexible integration with automation tools and software, such as 100-tool automatic tool changer (ATC) and multi-pallet system, the D200Z is able to achieve utilization rates of more than 80 % gives the highest throughput and is expected to provide a return on investment in the shortest time to BM Injection.

(To be continued)

Productivity and Quality Offfice