Case Studies

Acme-Gridley Screw Machine Rebuilder Improves Cycle time by 33 Percent

By Michael Krizmanich
January 09, 2018 Category: Screw Machine, Acme Gridley; Machine Rebuild, Improve Cycle Time By 33%

The screw machine industry has weathered a number of challenges in recent years, and in spite of global competition, many U.S. Based companies are discovering that optimizing some of their early and late model Acme-Gridley screw machines is an inexpensive alternative to buying a new machine. The most important step in the optimization process is to team up with an innovative Screw Machine Rebuilder. Choosing the Right Rebuilder Founded in 2007, Brett May Engineering, also known as BME, is better known for their attachments and tooling but theyre also gaining notoriety as an excellent option as an Acme-Gridley rebuilder. It was a simple transition, says Brett May, BME owner and President. Customers would turn to us for specialty tooling and attachments for their challenging Acme jobs the next logical step was to expand from the tool zone and rebuild the entire machine. We accepted the challenge. Incremental Productivity Enhancements BME understands the benefit of incremental productivity

Logan XT16 Chip BreakerTM Software

By Michael Krizmanich
December 27, 2016 Category: General, Screw Machine

Logan Clutch now offers Chip Breaker technology on its line of CS2001 XT16 Microprocessor Controls. Chip Breaker technology enables Acme, New Britain, Davenport and Wickman users to minimize or eliminate nesting of metal stringers that occur in the feed cycle (when making aluminum parts). This feature minimizes the need for operators to tend to or shut down the machine to clear chips. In addition to the Chip Breaker software settings, other factors must be considered and potentially modified. These are the feed rate and the tooling. Industry feedback is that it should take no more than 2-3 revolutions of the spindle to break the chip, whether you are using a chip breaker cam or our software. The feed rate must also be considered and keep in mind the back pressure of the feed, which varies during the cycle. Note that a hard coded timer is used in the logic that ensures the machine does not dwell for more than 1/2 second. This is done to avoid a machine lockup condition by using these

Logan CS2001TM Controls Support Door Interlock / Start Interrupt Switches

By Michael Krizmanich
December 27, 2016 Category: General, Screw Machine

OSHA rulings and regulations are requiring screw machine users to upgrade their machines with door interlock switches. The purpose is to ensure that the machine cannot be started when a door is open, and the main motor stops when a door is opened. The CS2001 control from Logan Clutch is a solution that has passed OSHA scrutiny in hundreds of machines. It works with the dedicated inputs of the CS2001 control and the three levels of programming security in the software. One security level is Set-up mode. Access to Set-up mode is controlled and secure. When a machine door is open it can only be jogged while in Set-up mode only. This enables CS2001 users to work in the tool zone, jog the machine and know that the machine cannot be started. CS2001TM Door Interlock / Start Interrupt Switch Inputs: How They Work The CS2001 Microprocessor Control has two pairs of inputs for two Door Interlock Switches. Each pair of is designed for one normally opened switch contact and one normally closed switch

World Wide Fittings-Davenport

By Michael Krizmanich
July 24, 2012 Category: Screw Machine, Davenport, Hi/lo Retro Kit, Case Studies

World Wide Fittings, located in Chicago, specializes in the manufacture of steel tube and pipe fitting components, supplying over 150 million components annually to domestic and foreign markets. Everything they manufacture meets ISO, SAE and any customer-specific standards. Dan Holt, Plant Manager, with recent success with his National Acmes and Logan Clutches, decided to retrofit a model B Davenport screw machine with a Logan Clutch Hi-Lo Retrokit, and CS2001XT controller. The retrofit met and exceeded all expectations. The easy-to-install, air-operated Logan clutch eliminates the constant adjustment problems of the original Davenport mechanical clutches, roll clutch, band brake, and linkages. Engagement and disengagement now are smooth and positive. The new quick-stop, power-applied brake prevents machine coasting. With the fast-acting clutch, World Wide now has the ability to run the machine at full index speed for a greater part of its cycle. Dan Holt reports that he has seen anincrease