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24 MMS December 2017 mmsonline.com RAPID TRAVERSE Machining Technology in Brief facilitate 360-degree, single-setup access to a wide variety of parts. • Pendulum Mode. Rotary fixtures, vises, clamps and other workholding components all mount to parallel T-slot rails stretching the length of the bed. In addition to facilitating end-to-end access to the largest workpieces, this configura- tion enables setting up multiple, smaller parts in dif ferent areas of the work zone for sequential machining in a single, uninterrupted cycle. What's more, operators can perform these setups while the spindle turns by running the machine in pen- dulum mode, which dissects the workzone into distinct cells divided by light curtains. The spindle won't cross these light curtains, and if the oper- ator does, the machine shuts down. • Universal, Multi-Par t Vises. Featuring quick-release pins, these systems enable opera- tors to adjust the clamping range to anywhere between 0.5 and 23 inches by simply flipping a switch. Vise inserts designed specifically for this system enable users to divide that clamping range into as many as four individual clamping stations. Installing these inserts takes less than 90 seconds. Round-material vises are also available. • Accessories and Customization. The Flexdrill CNC is designed to be customized to the user's needs. To that end, workholding options What Should You Consider When Turning Micro Parts on a Lathe? BY BA R BA R A S CH U L Z Four-axis machining is a critical capability for access- ing all sides of large tubes and pipes. FlexDrill CNC, call 419-739-6455 or visit flexdrillcnc.com. include custom and turnkey systems as well as the standard selection of fix tures. As for the machines themselves, other accessories include through-spindle coolant, programmable lubrica- tion, Renishaw probes that help define work coordinates, and mobile control panels. Customization starts with one of two platforms: the TRD, and the GRD. The TRD ranges from 10 to 80 feet long with a 16-inch Z-axis travel. It offers a CT- or BT-40 spindle with maximum continuous torque of 184 foot-pounds. The GRD ranges to 80 feet long with a 19.5-inch Z-axis travel and a Y axis ranging to 10 feet wide. It offers a CT-50 spindle option and a maximum continuous torque of 368 foot-pounds. Both models feature a color touchscreen control with ISO G- and M-code p r o g r a m m i n g , 4 0 G B o f s t o r a g e , a n d U S B /e t h e r n e t p r o g r a m l o a d i n g, a s w e l l a s m o n o - b l o c k , w e l d e d - s t e e l f r a m e s a n d T-slot beds. T he manufacture of miniature parts is not new, but over the past several years, there has been a trend toward continued miniaturization in a range of industries, including aerospace, auto- motive, medical and electronics. Mike Smoody, application engineer at Horn USA, says to machine a par t with outer diameters (ODs) as small as 0.0039 inch, one must look at the whole process, because there are quite a few challenges. The slightest variation in the process caused by mate- rial or cutting tool characteristics, thermal varia- tions in the machine, or vibrations will have a direct