A Look Back at HAIMER’s 2019 Technical Advances

Next year promises to be another exciting one here at HAIMER, especially with a new IMTS show on the horizon. But in order to set the stage for 2020, we thought it might be useful to look back one more time at the technical advancements we announced in the last 12 months. After all, they are the foundation that our engineers will build on for the future. 

Microset: Now Measuring in the Y-Axis
The VIO linear presetting device with Y-axis allows the optics carrier to be moved by +/- 100 mm in the Y direction in order to measure tools with cutting edges that are not centered. This is especially important when using asymmetrical tools.

DAC Tool Management
Our DAC (Data Analyzer and Controller) system manages the exchange of target and actual values as well as other tool data between individual tool room stations and establishes connection to the corporate network. In combination with available RFID data chips or via QR or Data Matrix codes (read out and evaluated by different systems via a scanner), DAC allows a clear identification of the complete tool. Through the network connection, it also provides additional tool data: assembly instructions, article numbers, stock adjustment, tool life and 3D models. DAC also supports analysis of production data and process optimization.

Full Automation for the Tool Room
Another highlight from the past year was a robot cell at EMO that allows tool presetting to be completely automated. It contains a tool cart that is equipped with tool holders and tools. The tools are custom shrunk and preset on a Microset VIO linear toolshrink. After cooling, the balancing quality of the respective complete tool is checked. The completely assembled and tested tool is then stored on a second tool cart where it can be picked up for use.

Going Digital
Our Industry 4.0-ready and network compatible Power Clamp i4.0 shrink fit machine enables a particularly smooth and clean cooling for all kinds of shrink fit chucks and shrink fit collets, regardless of the outside contour by air nozzles and drizzle – without dirt and water residue. An LED temperature control ensures even greater process reliability.

The Power Clamp Nano NG i4.0 was specially developed for shrink fit collets and small tool holders up to size HSK-A63. The shrinking process is horizontal, with a fully automated motor coil and air cooling. 

Highest Precision
In addition to the developments on the digital side, we also set new standards in precision machining in 2019. Upon customer request, HAIMER now also supplies ultra-precision shrink fit chucks with a guaranteed runout accuracy of ≤ 0.001 mm and with fine balancing on G2.5 at 33,000 rpm or U <0.5 gmm for maximum accuracy in high-speed machining.

New Tech for Turning and Milling
HAIMER also focused on tool clamping solutions for turning with live tools. With HAIMER Duo-Lock™ and shrink collets for live tools, the tool change can be accomplished in the machine in a highly accurate and reliable manner - which results in reduced set-up times and increased productivity. The shrink fit collet range has been extended by sizes ER 11 and ER 32, so that a complete product line from ER 11 to ER 32 is now available.

We also expanded the Duo-Lock range with new milling geometries. Three cutting geometries specially developed for titanium machining have been used in a joint project presented at EMO: an all titanium caliper for the Bugatti Chiron. It was created in close cooperation with project partners Bugatti, Benz, HAIMER, SLM Solutions and Bionic Production. The result is a caliper that is 40% lighter than the current standard model.

Service Options
The best way to avoid downtime is to have a regular service check from an experienced HAIMER application engineer. We’ve had a lot of requests from customers to make regular maintenance easier by adding contractual Premium and Quality Maintenance Programs to our standard service offerings. So, we did. With these standardized service contracts, all of our engineers will be following the same guidelines on each and every call from coast to coast as well as Canada and Mexico.

Please contact us to learn more about exciting new advancements at Haimer USA.