Double column machining in auto sector

Within the automotive sector, Okuma’s double column machining centres are mainly used for manufacturing dies for the production of car body shells. This process poses various challenges as these large workpieces require high dimensional accuracy. In addition, dies need to possess very smooth and clean surfaces in order to produce flawless car parts. Achieving the required results is difficult because the manufacturing process can take days or even a week. The long machining time makes the end product vulnerable to deviations due to temperature changes and other external influences during the manufacturing process.

Having over 50 years of experience and offering a production capacity of 40 units per month, Okuma is world-leading in manufacturing double column machining centres. Currently, there are over 8,000 Okuma double column machines in use of which roughly 3,500 are used in the automotive sector. Machines such as MCR-BIII or its recently introduced further development MCR-S are used by nearly every automotive manufacturer worldwide. This makes almost every car on today’s streets an object at least indirectly and partially manufactured by an Okuma machine.

Okuma’s Intelligent Technology for high quality

These problems are solved by a variety of highly-tailored applications and features. Okuma’s Thermo-Friendly Concept helps to both minimise the amount of heat generated and compensate thermal deformations that cannot be avoided. Additionally, Okuma’s Premium Solution Hyper-Surface allows for excellent surface quality by compensating machining data automatically and therefore not only improving overall quality, but also eliminating the need for hand-finishing. In addition, the solid cast iron double column construction ensures great rigidity and close tolerances. A touch probe enables on-machine gauging of complex shapes in mid-process. “Manufacturers in the automotive sector appreciate our double column machines’ high dimensional accuracy of less than 20µm even for workpieces measuring up to 2,000 mm in width and 5,000 mm in length,” says Pablo Liechti, Product Manager DCMC.

High productivity

Okuma provides several solutions allowing for maximum productivity. Its Intelligent Technology SERVONAVI increases productivity by optimising cutting and feed rates. “This way we can shorten production times by up to 25 percent,” states Liechti. The Thermo-Friendly Concept also helps to increase productivity by shortening warm-up times. In order to meet the manufactures’ specific demands, Okuma’s double column machining centres can be configured in many ways. Customers can choose different spindles, a wide range of attachment heads, and table sizes up to 4,500 mm in width and 12,000 mm in length. Many additional features and setups are available.