The Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Department at Lincoln College, one of the largest educational institutions in Lincolnshire, has installed a five-axis machining centre from DMG Mori (UK) Ltd, Coventry (
www.dmgmori.com); this will give students practical experience of programming and
operating advanced metal-cutting equipment.
In a part-exchange deal, the DMU 50 ecoline replaced a similar size of machining centre from the same supplier that had been the mainstay of five-axis tuition at the college since 2002. One of the reasons for the college returning to the same machine tool manufacturer was that the DMU 50 ecoline is available with a choice of controls; these include the Heidenhain TNC620, which is compatible with the 20 Heidenhain off-line programming stations used by the students.
About 20 full-time apprentices a year at Lincoln College — a large proportion from nearby Siemens — have access to the new programming and metal-cutting facility. Aluminium is regularly machined during lessons, but components are generally cut from foam initially to keep cycles short and tool wear low; this also avoids damage in the event of a collision.
Day-release students working towards a BTEC National Diploma in mechanical engineering also use the DMU 50 ecoline as part of their machining and Computer Numerical Control modules, while HNC students use it to carry out the off-line programming element of their CAD/CAM study unit.
Dave Thompson, the lecturer in charge of the facility, said: “The only reason we replaced the old machine was that its Heidenhain MillPlus software had become out of date. We were able to justify the purchase of a new five-axis machine because classes are full these days, unlike during the last decade. This is another indicator that manufacturing is gaining in popularity in the post-recession era.”
The new machine was supplied with a Power Probe 40 Optical infra-red measuring probe (a joint development between DMG Mori and Renishaw) and a TS27R contact tool-setting probe mounted on the table.