With the combination of various different feed elements we provide optimum flexibility for the processing ofautomotive accessories: Different workpieces are processed in multiple steps in just one machine !

• Goods insertion grids stipulated by the customer, which are to be used for the feeding of housings. As the grids were too unstable to be automated, a base carrier which acts as a frame was developed. The housings in the customer's insertion grids can now be fed into the machine via these base carriers. The robot identifi es the orientation of the workpieces using a camera. Based on this the machine turns the spindle to the required position. Then the robot places the workpiece into the spindle were it will undergo the turning process.
• Bushings are added via the vibration conveyor pot - these are to be pressed into the housings from the insertion grids whilst the force/displacement is monitored. Then the complete workpiece as well as the internal diameter of the bushing undergoes fi nishing machining. When the bushing is pressed into place the force/displacement characteristics are displayed directly on a screen and saved in a file for statistical purposes. In addition there may be an adaptation of the machining program as the measured values provide an indication of tool wear.
• Additional workpieces are fed into a hopper as bulk goods. From this an ascending conveyor transports the raw parts cyclically into an oscillating conveyor. From there the raw parts move onto a rail where they are pre-machined (i.e. drilled) in order to keep the cycle time in the machine as short as possible.
  The robot intervenes here: It packs the workpieces, detecting whether the holes in the workpiece are present via a camera, and then feeds the machine with these. The machine has a linear tool design with
  
  • three turning tools
  • a pressing mandrel
  • a high frequency spindle for milling work

After the workpieces are machined they are cleaned in an ultrasonic bath with an attached blow-off station. After that the internal diameter of the bushing is measured by means of an air measuring probe. The values determined at this point can also be used to carry out an automatic correction of the machining program if required. Additional security is provided by the cyclical calibration of the measurement device in order to compensate out external influences such as temperature fluctuations.