Mechanical Workshop: Equipment

CNC Machining Centres

Our mechanical workshop is equipped with the following 2 Hurco CNC machining centres:

Hurco VM-2
Hurco VM-10

Used for the manufacture of fixtures and rigs for undergraduate and research projects these machine tools are the workhorses of the mechanical workshop. These machine tools can be programmed by the following means to machine most materials;

  • Conversational programming – Hurco have their own conversational programming feature called WinMax which allows programming in a question and answer format using multiple choice and fill in the blank questions. Operator prompts in plain English. No codes or computer languages are used.
  • DXF Transfer – this feature allows you to quickly import the 2D data from a dxf file. This feature enables the operator to select holes and machining operations, thereby creating a conversational program at the control.
  • CAD/CAM – the mechanical workshop uses Alphacam software for milling. Part files can be imported into our Alphacam system which enables the operator to generate tool paths for contouring, pocketing, engraving and hole-drilling complex parts.

HURCO VM-2 VERTICAL MACHINING CENTRE (complete with 4 axis)

Specifications  Measurement

TRAVEL:

    "X" axis longitudinal travel

    "Y" axis cross table travel

    "Z" axis vertical head travel


1016 mm

457 mm

457 mm

TABLE: Working surface

    T Slots

    Load with uniform distribution

1168 mm x 457 mm

3 x 18 mm x 100 mm centres

545 kg

POSITIONAL ACCURACY:

    Positioning accuracy (JIS B 6338)

Accuracy (at 68° F)

+/- 0.0025 mm

SPINDLE SPEED:

TOOL CHANGER:

 

0 – 8000 rpm

20 station (automatic)

2.5 second tool to tool

HURCO VM-10 VERTICAL MACHINING CENTRE

Specifications Measurement

TRAVEL:

    "X" axis longitudinal travel

    "Y" axis cross table travel

    "Z" axis vertical head travel



660 mm

406 mm

508 mm

TABLE:

    Working surface

    T Slots

    Load with uniform distribution


760 mm x 406 mm

3 x 18 mm x 100 mm centres

340 kg

POSITIONAL ACCURACY:

    Positioning accuracy (JIS B 6338)

Accuracy (at 68° F)

+/- 0.0025 mm

COOLANT SYSTEM:

SPINDLE SPEED:

TOOL CHANGER:

Coolant through the spindle (CTS)


0 – 10,000 rpm
20 station (automatic)

2.5 second tool to tool

CNC Lathe

 

Okuma LT-15 CNC lathe

Our mechanical workshop is equipped with an Okuma LT15 CNC lathe. This 5 – axis machine tool is complete with twin chucks and turrets. Each turret consists of 12 stations which can carry live tooling with speeds of between 100-4500rpm. The machine uses a Fanuc based CNC control system, OSP 7000L and programming is carried out manually at the console.

 

Purchased in 2009 this machine was formerly used for the manufacture of artificial patellae. It is now used for the machining of runs of components such as consumable test pieces used in undergraduate laboratories, the machining of complex parts and it is also used for machining trials and tests for both research and commercial activities.

Conventional milling machines and lathes

Conventional milling machines are regularly used where a considerable amount of user interaction with the work piece is required. They are also used where larger, more awkward work pieces need modification or re-work or where the head of the machine needs to be tilted off to one side to machine an angle. Both SEMCO machines are used for training as part of the 3B8 Universal Design Innovation course. The Optimum OPTIMF4 VARIO milling machine and the Optimum OPTI F40 E Mill/Drill machine are assigned for use by researchers and postgraduate students who have carried out the workshop training course.

The mechanical workshop is equipped with the following vertical milling machines;

SEMCO FIRST LC-1 ½ VS

 

Specifications:

Longitudinal Travel
Cross travel
Vertical travel
Max Spindle speed


762 mm
305 mm
406 mm
3,750 rpm
SEMCO FIRST LC-185 VS

 

Specifications:

Longitudinal Travel
Cross travel
Vertical travel
Max Spindle speed


790 mm
415 mm
390 mm
3,750 rpm

Optimum OPTIMF4 VARIO

 

Specifications:

Longitudinal Travel
Cross travel
Vertical travel
Max Spindle speed


800 mm
400 mm
405 mm
9 - 6,750 rpm

Optimum OPTI F40 E - Mill/Drill machine

 

Specifications:

Longitudinal Travel
Cross travel
Vertical travel
Max Spindle speed


450 mm
200 mm
510 mm
95 - 3,200 rpm

 

Manual lathes

Our manual lathes are regularly used in the manufacture of prototype equipment used in undergraduate and research projects. The Mazak and Harrison lathes are used for training as part of the 3B8 Universal Design Innovation course. The Optimum D360 is assigned for use by researchers and postgraduate students who have carried out the workshop training course.

The mechanical workshop is equipped with the following manual lathes;

Harrison M300

 

Specifications:

Spindle speed
Distance between centres
Swing over machine bed
Swing over machine support


40 - 2,500 rpm
630 mm
330 mm
210 mm

Mazak Mate

 

Specifications:

Spindle speed
Distance between centres
Swing over machine bed
Swing over machine support


40 - 2,500 rpm
630 mm
330 mm
210 mm

Optimum D360

 

Specifications:

Spindle speed
Distance between centres
Swing over machine bed
Swing over machine support


76 - 2,000 rpm
570 mm
360 mm
210 mm

Ursus – 225

 

Specifications:

Spindle speed
Distance between centres
Swing over machine bed
Swing over machine support


35 - 1,500 rpm
1500 mm
508 mm
269 mm

 

Surface grinding

Used to produce ultra-flat surfaces on metallic materials, our Jones & Shipman surface grinder is capable of achieving surface finishes of 0.2µm Ra. It is used for a wide variety of engineering projects such as;

  • The precision grinding of syringes used in electro-spraying
  • The precision grinding of parallel surfaces in press tooling
  • To achieve ultra- flat surfaces prior to the application of strain gauges used in undergraduate teaching laboratories
JONES – SHIPMAN 540 PRECISION TOOLROOM SURFACE GRINDER

 

Specifications:

Speed of wheel
Table size
Grinding wheel size
Longitudinal traverse
Cross traverse


2,800 rpm
457 mm x 152 mm
178 x 13 x 31.75 mm
483 mm
171 mm

 

Welding facilities

The Dept. of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Biomedical Engineering has a dedicated welding bay where the following types of welding are carried out;

  • MIG – Metal Inert Gas
  • TIG – Tungsten Inert Gas
  • Arc welding or Stick welding
  • Gas welding

Our Technical staff are highly experienced in all types of welding processes including the brazing and silver soldering of materials. The 2MEMS10 Guitar Design Project and the 3B8 Universal Design Innovation Course are amongst the undergraduate programmes which are strongly supported by this area.

3D Printing and Scanning

Dimension 3D Printer and Roland 3D Laser Scanner

The mechanical workshop staff have being providing a 3D prototyping service for over 15 years and have a wealth of experience in this process. Situated in the “Build Base” our Dimension 3D Printer uses the fusion deposition modelling process (FDM) to manufacture prototypes for research and undergraduate projects. We also have Roland Picza 3D Laser Scanner which is particularly suitable for the reverse engineering of components and models.

Vacuum forming

Vacuum forming

A vacuum forming machine is available for use in the mechanical workshop.

Specifications Measurement
Plastic Sheet Size 300 mm x 450 mm
Plastic types Thermoplastics – some plastics are better than others. HIPS - recommended
Usable area 250 mm x 400 mm
Depth of draw00

Up to 150 mm depending on shape

Postgraduate student workshop

Equipped with an Optimum D360 x 1000 Lathe and an Optimum MF4 Vario milling machine, this area has been allocated for post-graduate students to carry out machining work on their projects. To gain access to these machine tools the postgraduate must have undertaken the workshop training course and successfully completed the lathe and milling exercises. For more information on this or to schedule a booking of the machines please contact mireilly@tcd.ie .

Optimum D360 x 1000 Lathe

Optimum MF4 Vario milling machine