TriFlex Flexible Manufacturing — Up To Seven Machining Centers In A Single Cell

TriFlex flexible manufacturing cells are ideal candidates for production of small- to medium-size lots, plus they provide the flexibility to machine a wide variety of components, materials and configurations, up to 300 mm. Cutting-edge CNC rotary transfer technology makes possible five-sided machining at each of four stations in a single clamping. Machining multiple work-pieces per fixture can minimize cycle times and slash total per-piece costs. Basic TriFlex design integrates up to seven CNC machining centers into a single, compact, flexible manufacturing cell, saving valuable floor space, while the flexible tooling capacity allows 56 separate tools. A separate load/unload station makes it possible to change the component during machining. Machining is carried out over three machining stations using either two — or up to seven — machining centers. The patented hanging indexing drum is equipped with hydraulically clamped Hirth ring couplings and can be indexed to 4 x 90° positions. The four workholding units, mounted to planetary tables, are fixed tangentially on the indexing drum, thus permitting the five-sided, single-clamp machining. Each planetary table is fitted with a Hirth ring coupling that can be indexed in 1°increments or via full CNC axis (increments of 0.0001° resolution). During machining the planetary tables are clamped hydraulically to ensure maximum accuracy and close tolerance machining. The TriFlex flexible manufacturing cell is manufactured by Turmatic Systems Inc., builder of Turmat rotary transfer machines, Twinflex and TriFlex manufacturing cells.

Turmatic Systems Inc., 11600 Adie Road, St. Louis, MO 63043. Tel: 314-993-0600; Fax: 314-993-0676.