IMTS WFL showcases M50 Millturn and advanced machining innovations in Chicago

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The IMTS will take place from September 9-14, 2024, in Chicago, showcasing global industry innovations in advanced and traditional manufacturing, robotics, automation, and digital transformation. WFL will present the M50 Millturn, known as the “WFL power pack,” at their booth.

Visitors to IMTS can experience live machining at WFL’s M50 Millturn with 4,500 mm center distance. The machining centre has its advantages in the wide range of tools that can be used in powerful drives, in the rigid connection of prismatic tools on the B-axis, in good ergonomics at the operator station and in various tools and cycles implemented on the control panel to increase productivity and process reliability. The customer can configure "his machine" using many available technology modules. The corresponding WFL cycles on the control support the customer in generating a productive workflow.

On the M50 Millturn, special attention has been paid to user-friendly access to the standard tool magazine, which is accessible from the front through large inspection windows. The large windows in the sliding doors also provide a perfect view of the work area. Extra-bright, daylight-like LED lights are fitted as standard in the working area of the basic machine. A separate pick-up magazine is available for very long and/or heavy tools. Workpieces up to 1,600 mm in length can be used and changed automatically. Although the disc magazine can now be extended up to 200 stations, all tool stations are directly accessible. In addition, reliable optical sensors are installed in the tool magazine to monitor the tool stations.

WFLs online collision prevention: Crash Guard Studio

WFL continuously optimizes the machining processes in their machines. However, there are always interruptions requiring operator intervention, such as measurements and controls. It is important to minimize these interruptions to make best use of the availability and productivity of the machine. This is ensured by software packages in the machine control as well as additional intelligent clamping devices and tools automating the processes.

One of these tools is Crash Guard Studio, which will also be demonstrated at IMTS in Chicago. The realistic 3D simulation software Crash Guard Studio is the ideal tool for testing and optimising CNC programs after they have been created or modified. This can be done either on an external workstation or directly on the machine control unit. Thanks to the optimisation of the entire processing sequence and an error correction at an early stage, the risks of collisions and of producing scrap parts as well as unproductive run-in and down times are now a thing of the past.

This allows the use of a whole new range of potential features and thus achieves significant competitive advantages. Crash Guard Studio is the ideal supplement to any CAD-CAM software and for the WFL Crash Guard collision prevention software. Data for workpieces, tools and clamping devices can be transferred as required.

With the interactive graphics of the Millturn PRO programming software, NC programs can be created efficiently and easily, thereby enabling Crash Guard Studio to become a universal programming system for complex workpieces (without freeform surfaces). Programming can be carried out on an external programming station or directly at the control panel of the machine itself. The programmed machining operations can be checked continually and step by step in Crash Guard Studio.

The technology cycles of WFL cover an extremely broad range of standard and special technologies for all conceivable cases of application. These program modules, which only require the input of parameters, make it possible to carry out efficient programming directly on the machine control or on a PC. The program can therefore be created for both complex and simple workpieces within the shortest period

Furthermore, WFL offers the appropriate technological solution for every gear cutting operation — from filigree internal gears with high accuracy requirements to large external gears, which require high roughing efficiency.

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