Deckel Maho relies on LaserControl NT-H 3D

A PERFECT COMBINATION

Measuring technology: LaserControl NT-H 3D developed by Blum-Novotest is a combined measuring system for tool setting on turn-mill centres. Machine tool manufacturer Deckel Maho relies on this system for combined machines, thereby opening up numerous advantages to their users.

Deckel Maho Pfronten GmbH, an enterprise of Gildermeister AG, is a manufacturer of universal as well as horizontal milling machines and one of the trend-setting machine developers on the global market. The milling machines and machining centres from Germany are universal that is, equally applicable to horizontal and vertical 5-sided and 5-axis machining on a tool as well as with regard to the modular machine tool concept of different ranges. Apart from simultaneous machining or high speed cutting, outstanding machine features also include turning and milling.

Measuring technology specialist Blum-Novotest realized at an early stage that the turning and milling machining processes are well suited for combining on a single machine and then reacted accordingly. Ultimately it was Deckel Maho's application technology that initiated a fully integrated, laser-based measuring system with additional probe since “pure“ laser measurements on turning tools require a time-consuming high point search on the cutting edge of the tool and coolant on a vertical cutting edge has a greater effect on the processing ability as this is the case with rotating tools. Blum has tackled this issue and worked out a solution within a concentrated development period of considerably less than a year. As a result the measuring system LaserControl NT-H 3D was ready for serial production as early as 2007 for the EMO Trade Show in Hannover.
The system is a combination of touch probe TC76 and the tried and tested Blum standard laser tool setting system system LaserControl NT. The constructive fusion of probe and laser allows the unification of the advantages of non-contact tool setting for rotating tools with those of mechanical contact tool measuring of non-rotating tools in one and the same device. And in addition they can be easily implemented into appropriate machine tools for optimal effect.

High-Grade Equipment

This is another reason for machine manufacturer Deckel Maho to offer Blum´s fully integrated LaserControl as a standard option, especially for its turn-mill centres DMC 60/80/125/160 FD DuoBlock as well as various portal centres.
According to Lothar Halder, Sales Engineer at Blum-Novotest, the current trend shows a move towards increasingly higher grades of equipment for machine tools. In other words this means that more and more customers order their machine tools with measuring technology assemblies – “and the larger the machine tool, the less likely it is that the customer does without additional functionalities“.

This observation was confirmed by Gerd Mühlmann, Technical Sales at Deckel Maho: “This trend is accompanied by a higher degree of automation. Users increasingly wish to manufacture operator free and to control and measure this process with the help of laser systems in order to employ a sister tool, where necessary, in case of wear or breakage. This makes LaserControl NT-H 3D an indispensable tool for process safety and optimization”.

Speaking of automation, due to its high technological integration, the recently launched DMC 60 FD DuoBlock by Deckel Maho with integrated pallet system for workpieces up to 630 mm and fully integrated Blum LaserControl is consider an “automatic all-rounder”. With a span-to-span time of 4.5 s at the most, the machining centre scores above all during serial production.

Mühlmann briefly outlines the advantages of the fully integrated Blum system in the DMG machine tools as follows: “It is possible to measure milling tools inside the machine with the spindle at nominal speed. Any inaccuracies, from tool tension to heat effects are thus eliminated. In addition, there is the advantage of being able to scan vertical turning tools with a high degree of accuracy. All measuring inaccuracies previously encountered during laser measuring, such as stuck-on coolant, are now a thing of the past”.

Users benefit from the integration of LaserControl NT-H 3D into their turn-mill centres in two ways. On the one hand there are considerably shorter measuring periods, for instance for tools such as hollowing tools. On the other hand, all other functions of an optical system are available, such as non-contact tool setting with regard to length and radius, tool breakage control and single cutting edge control, clamping and run-out control as well as wear monitoring.

Measuring Mechanism with Face Gear

An important module of the system represents the shark360 technology. In this case the multi-directional Blum measuring mechanism is supplemented by a face gear with 72 teeth, achieving utmost accuracy even for off-centre probing, for instance by applying cranked styli, thus providing repetitive accuracy for the inoperative state of the probe. The crown gear is situated between the socket for the measuring insert and the counter bearing of the housing. A precision pin moves into a light barrier during deflection, generating a trigger signal for measured value detection free from wear.
“The face gear gives the measuring mechanism high positional stability and defined deflection behaviour“, explains Halder. “This means that the measuring plate has an exactly defined position inside the measuring mechanism and is first deflected before returning to inoperative position. This results in high repetitive accuracy. Furthermore there is also unchanged flexibility just as during multi-directional probing”.

Meanwhile, high-grade equipment of the machining centres from Pfronten with Blum measuring technology is a reflection of the positive acceptance of the system by the users. “Around 75 percent of our turn-mill centres of the DMC FD-DuoBlock range are equipped with Blum-Novotest LaserControl NT-H 3D“, concludes Mühlmann.

Innovation Award for Blum-Novotest

At their recent 9th annual supplier day Blum-Novotest received an award from Gildemeister AG, the world´s largest machine tool manufacturer, for being “Supplier of the year 2008” in the “Innovation” category. The vendors of measuring and testing technology were honoured for their continuously outstanding innovative performance over decades concerning the sectors of laser measuring technology and touch probes. The measuring system LaserControl NT-H 3D with integrated shark360 measuring mechanism took centre stage. The patented measuring mechanism is particularly strong during torsion measurements such as the measuring of turning tools.



Editors´s notes:

Established in 1968 and based in Ravensburg, Germany, Blum-Novotest GmbH is recognized worldwide as a developer of leading-edge measuring and testing technology for international machine tools, aerospace and automotive industries. The family firm has more than 260 employees working in Germany, Great Britain, Italy, France, USA, China, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and Korea. Together with skilled dealers (due to their technical competence called "system integrators") and regional sales offices they guarantee comprehensive service for thousands of Blum systems applied all over the world.
 
 
 
For further information:
 
Blum-Novotest GmbH
Production Metrology
Postfach 1202
D-88182 Ravensburg
Germany

Tel:  + 49 (0) 751 6008-0
Fax: + 49 (0) 751 6008-156
E-Mail: vk@blum-novotest.com
Web: www.blum-novotest.com