The Challenge:
A large Indiana CNC machine job shop was looking for a way to reduce labor and material handling related to secondary operations for part identification, following machining from bar stock. There was also a desire to mark parts while they were still in the chuck to avoid mixing with other parts and batches once removed from the CNC.
In addition, the customer wanted to maintain the part-to-part cycle time. Most conventional marking systems would be too slow and would add too much additional cycle time. All known marking methods had been explored. They would use devices which could not survive the aggressive environment inside the CNC enclosure, which included high pressure coolant spray, flying metal chips, and heat. As a result, the customer reached out to his Dempsco account sales representative, to discuss his situation. From previous meetings, the customer was aware of the broad range of permanent metal part marking methods from Columbia Marking Tools, sold through Dempsco.
The Analysis:
The customer expressed the urgency of his need to find a solution and a meeting was arranged. The Dempsco salesman met with the project engineer and CNC operator to discuss the requirements for marking, as well as, the space and dimensional restrictions between the metal cutting tooling and enclosure. Measurements were compared to drawings of CMT roll marking heads for this purpose. An online video of the CMT R-900 roll marking head in use on a Haas CNC was shared and discussed.
The Dempsco salesman gathered notes, photos, sample parts, and video into a request for quote package and got it into the hands of his CMT (Columbia Marking Tools) regional sales manager. Because of the special space restrictions, Dempsco and CMT proposed to the customer a modified standard model R-900 role marking tool.
The Solution:
The CMT R-900 was easily installed on the customer’s CNC, because of the custom design modifications worked out between CMT and Dempsco.
As a result for the customer is marking 100% of all parts with deeply embossed characters and an added cycle time of only 5 seconds to the existing 3-minute machining cycle. As anticipated, all extra handling and labor associated with the former secondary marking operation are eliminated. The project is very successful with a 90-day ROI. The customer is now retrofitting his other CNC lathes with CMT roll markers. 