EQUIPMENT TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

Our machines follow a reference plane electronically. Utilizing the strength of the item being machined for support, we are able to minimize the structural strength and weight of our equipment. This eliminates the need for self-supporting rigid portable machines that require considerable time and engineering effort to install.

Rectangular or Irregular shaped surfaces up to 16m x 11.5m (50ft x 38ft) (LSLM):

A scanning laser is used to scan across the work piece and is set parallel to the desired machining plane. The milling machine consists of two fixed beds, which straddle the work piece. A cross bed can be driven along the two fixed beds.

The milling head, located on a saddle plate, can travel along the cross bed. This allows the milling cutter to be moved to any location on an X-Y axis over the work piece. The milling head is fitted with targets and servo drives. The targets interface with the scanning laser beam and a control circuit adjusts the servo drives to maintain the milling cutter parallel to the laser plane regardless of the errors which affect the saddle plate position.

The large sizes involved would normally require very heavy beams to minimize deflection with the thermal errors still remaining. By following a laser plane, our design eliminates all thermal effects and the need for massive structures. This also allows for large area coverage in a single set up.

The same scanning laser can also be used to monitor cuts and carry out surveys during and after the machining operation.

Laser Controlled – Linear Self Leveling Mill – (LSLM)

The LSLM is specifically designed to machine large irregular areas such as Steam turbine horizontal half joints.

The main benefit of this machine is that the milling head assembly is laser controlled using three laser targets and ball screws to ensure it is always machines parallel to the laser plane, regardless of the deflection of the supporting beams. This enables areas as large as 8 by 17 meters (26 x 55ft) to be machined in a single set up to close tolerances.

X/Y Milling

We have a large range of X/Y mills capable of machining large rectangular areas either horizontal or vertical. Machines vary in size from 1 x 1.5meters (3 – 5ft) to 8 x 17 meters.

These machines depend on structural strength for accuracy (Unlike our laser controlled Linear Self Leveling Mill (LSLM) and hence as the size increases, accuracy will decrease.

Symmetrical Mills

The Symmetrical Mill was specifically designed to machine wear plate surfaces on Steel and Alumina Rolling Mill Stands. The mill consists of two X/Y mills, one located in the Operator side and one in the Drive side. The mills are set up parallel to the center line of the mill stand and after machining the Exit side of the Mill stand, the cross bed in each X/Y mill is swung 180 degrees and the entry side machined without the need to reset the X/Y mill position relative to the center line of the Stand.

The time saving is so significant it is possible to halve the time required for machining access to machine all four faces on a four high hot strip mill stand.

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