DMG MORI UK Technology Days is a popular annual industry open house event held at the company's UK headquarters and technical centre. The event, held earlier this year, typically showcases live demonstrations of advanced CNC machining innovations, automation solutions, digital manufacturing, and turnkey engineering solutions. Some of the key highlights for visitors are the live machine demonstrations. Attendees get to see some of the latest high efficiency product lines—including multi-axis milling machines, turning centres, and integrated robotics and automation.
Two of the machining demonstrations featured workholding technology from
MATE Precision Technologies that replicated ‘real world’ challenging customer applications. Both 5-axis machining centres were shown with the same MATE workholding set up but running different cutting programs and tooling technology. The set up for each comprised a M9MBX-156192-02 DynoLock-96 156 by 192mm rectangular base with clamping edges, a DynoMount-96 rectangular riser providing 73mm lift topped with the highly capable DynoGrip-96 self-centring vice with hardened jaws offering 255mm maximum clamping range and a jaw width of 125mm.
Offering entry into 5-axis simultaneous machining at an unbeatable price/performance ratio, the DMG MORI DMU 40 Pro was shown cutting EN24T steel, a highly durable, through-hardening nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy steel. Widely favoured in precision engineering, it is supplied in the ‘T’ condition (hardened and tempered) to deliver an excellent balance of high tensile strength, ductility, and superior wear resistance. A number of solid carbide milling tools as well as inserted endmills and drills demonstrated the rigidity of both the machine tool structure as well as the workholding.
A standout performer in the program was a 63mm diameter inserted shoulder mill, running at 3,820rpm with a surface cutting speed of over 12 m/min. Aggressively cutting steel of this specification highlighted the advantages of having a MATE tool steel vice as the billets used for the demonstration were not pre crimped or prepared in any way. A space-saving design with a machine width of less than two meters and a generous work area with traverse paths of 550 x 450 x 420mm make the DMU 40 an ideal companion in production areas with limited space. The one-piece machine bed made of gray cast iron, the geometry-optimised Y and Z slides, and the inline spindle with hydraulic clamping ensure high rigidity and thus the basic building block for optimum machining results. All of which could be fully unleashed with the rigidity and accuracy of the Mate workholding system.
The second demonstration involved a DMG MORI DMX 80 U offering high performance and precise universal milling of parts up to 800mm diameter by 450mm long and weighing up to 350kg. The rigidity and accuracy of this 5-axis machining centre make it ideal for even the most demanding precision engineering workshops. For the demonstration an aluminium billet was machined using a variety of solid carbide cutting tools that were deployed running at up to 15,000 rpm. A 50mm diameter inserted end mill was also used at 12,000rpm with a surface cutting speed of 10 m/min proving the benefits of using an ultra-stable machine tool combined with robust workholding for maximum machining efficiency.
Depth of engineering knowledgeCharley Lucas, UK marketing and communications lead at DMG MORI, said: “The feedback from the visitors to our annual Technology Days highlights the depth of engineering knowledge and good practice they take away from the event. The foundation of which is the partnership between us, as the machine tool specialist, and the key elements of the workholding and cutting tools. So, we engage with specialists such as
Leader Chuck International to provide the detailed expertise that ensures the visitors see that even the most demanding engineering projects can be taken on with the right equipment and support.”
Managing director, Leader Chuck International, Mark Jones, added: “Working with the team at DMG MORI during the company’s Technology Days provided each business with the opportunity to highlight the benefits of investing in high performance equipment. For the visitors each demonstration showed aptly how important it is to match the capabilities of the machining process and the fixturing, it is a symbiotic relationship that relies on each element to achieve the very best outcome.”
The latest generation MATE Dyno range consists of DynoGrip vices, DynoLock base plates, and DynoMount pyramids and tombstones. Extensive trials of competitor zero-point systems, under real life production operations highlighted several limitations that have been addressed by these workholding products from MATE. Available in 13 sizes, MATE DynoGrip self-centring vices are engineered to shorten setup time and reduce process variability through quick change jaws, better gripping force, and higher part precision. Two zero-point four-stud engagement patterns are offered, 52mm and 96mm, that are compatible with other systems or can be mounted directly to the machine table via toe clamps or bolted through the body.
With 11 size and shape variants there is a DynoLock base to suit any machining application. These quick-change workholding bases are the foundation of the workholding system and the key to superior productivity. The product mounts to the machine bed, tombstone, pyramid or riser, and offers best-in-class accuracy and repeatability with a superior holding force. For increased volume production applications and higher part loading density, DynoMount three- and four-sided tombstones are available for use with MATE DynoLock 52 and 96 bases. Using a chambered design for weight reduction, MATE tombstones also include a hoist ring lift connection for easy loading and unloading. Like the rest of the Dyno range, they feature MATE’s QuickSpecs 2D bar code tag for real-time access to full product specifications, CAD files and potential integration into your business systems. Alongside this, direct-to-table mounting, and custom mounting bores are available. They are also compatible with some competitor workholding bases when used with applicable bushings and hardware.