LiCON, in collaboration with Bosch Rexroth, has introduced a groundbreaking twin-spindle CNC machine designed to bolster machining precision in small-batch jobs. This initiative launched at Bosch Rexroth’s headquarters in Lohr, Germany, aimed to deliver advanced technology and innovation in machining hydraulic valve housings. This machine’s unique attributes stem from LiCON’s i³ technology that independently corrects motor spindles, ensuring high spindle stiffness across all axes. Furthermore, the machine utilizes temperature sensors and sophisticated algorithms to amplify positioning accuracy and diminish start-up durations, showcasing a leap in efficient machining processes.
Enhancing Precision and Efficiency
i³ Technology and Hydraulic Valve Housings
The incorporation of i³ technology significantly transformed the twin-spindle machine’s capabilities. Unlike conventional systems, the i³ technology ensures the motor spindles correct independently, facilitating enhanced precision in the X, Y, and Z axes. This precision directly impacts the machining of hydraulic valve housings, which requires accurate and meticulous execution. The machine’s ability to incorporate over a hundred hydraulic valve variants, each containing four workpieces per clamping, underscores its versatility and efficiency, making it indispensable in the production line.
Further technological advancements are marked by temperature sensors integrated into the system. These sensors work synergistically with algorithms to improve positional accuracy, thereby reducing setup times. In an industrial setup where time equals money, cutting start-up durations means quicker, more cost-effective production cycles. The machine’s design also promotes efficiency by saving spatial resources, achieving a remarkable 20 to 25 percent increase in output compared to prior solutions. This boost in productivity signifies how technology like LiCON’s twin-spindle CNC machine can revolutionize industrial manufacturing.
Project Management and Collaboration
Bosch Rexroth’s planners and project managers have lauded LiCON for their outstanding customer support and adaptability during the project’s inception and execution. This collaboration ensured that necessary changes were swiftly implemented, and support was consistently available during commissioning phases. The operational cohesion between the two companies ultimately led to the seamless functioning of the twin-spindle machine, ensuring it met the highest standards of precision and efficiency.
The successful integration of the pilot cell, containing the LiCON machine and Rexroth’s automation solutions, into the i4.0 system underscored the project’s emphasis on automation and data collection. The intelligent networking of machinery and processes through advanced information and communication technologies paves the way for future innovations. Both companies recognize the importance of automation in pushing the boundaries of industrial craftsmanship, confirming the significance of their ongoing partnership.
Advancements in Manufacturing Technology
Intelligent Networking and Data Collection
The ongoing partnership between LiCON and Bosch Rexroth transcends basic technological advancements, venturing into the realm of intelligent networking and comprehensive data collection. Incorporating the pilot cell within the i4.0 system illustrates the meticulous attention to detail in automating and collecting data across manufacturing processes. The intelligent networking characteristic promotes a seamless integration of machines, enhancing communication technologies that drive efficient workflows.
Such integration is imperative as industries transition towards smart factory models, where machinery interconnectivity is vital for optimizing operations. Networked systems contribute to data-driven decision-making processes, allowing for real-time adjustments and enhancements in production workflows. This collaboration highlights the importance of evolving industrial practices, illustrating how technology can facilitate these transitions, ensuring businesses remain competitive in an age of rapid technological transformations.
Future Developments and Advanced Machinery
LiCON’s and Bosch Rexroth’s sustained collaboration gave rise to subsequent projects that continue to innovate manufacturing solutions. In the current year, they introduced manufacturing cells equipped with the advanced LiFLEX II 776 i3 PC B2 machines. These newer models boast faster tool-changing mechanisms, reduced non-productive times, and increased machine dynamics. Such improvements suggest a continuous pursuit of refining production cycles and achieving superior outputs, promising advancements in machine-centric manufacturing.
Additionally, the integration of LiCON’s ECO Plus mode and Rexroth’s CytroPac hydraulic power unit marks a significant stride towards energy-efficient and reliable manufacturing systems. Furthering the role of proportional valves, these machines enable precise pressure adjustments within the machining program, refining component quality. Such developments epitomize how collaborative project engagements can drive the industry forward by focusing on sustainability, efficiency, and precision.
Conclusion: The Future of Industrial Machining
LiCON, in partnership with Bosch Rexroth, has unveiled an innovative twin-spindle CNC machine designed to enhance machining precision for small-batch production. This breakthrough was introduced at Bosch Rexroth’s headquarters in Lohr, Germany, with the goal of delivering cutting-edge technology and innovation specifically for machining hydraulic valve housings. The standout feature of this machine comes from LiCON’s i³ technology, which independently corrects motor spindles to ensure high spindle stiffness across all axes. Additionally, the machine utilizes advanced temperature sensors and sophisticated algorithms to significantly improve positioning accuracy and reduce start-up times. This showcase highlights a major advancement in efficient machining processes, providing a valuable solution for industries requiring precision and efficiency in their manufacturing methods. The combination of LiCON and Bosch Rexroth’s expertise has resulted in a machine that not only increases productivity but also ensures the highest standards of quality in small-batch machining jobs.
