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CNC Articles Phone: 516-328-3970 www.technocnc.com 121 Shown are computer components readied for shipping with foam packaging produced by Foam Fabricators. Then they found the Techno Model 160 Production  CNC  router  from  Techno Isel,  New  Hyde  Park,  New  York, which offered a perfect compromise. The  machine  was  very  accurate and  robust  which  was  designed  for production  routing  and  drilling  on  a wide  variety  of  materials  including wood,  plastic,  MDF,  solid  surfacing materials, and nonferrous metals. The price  and  the  capabilities  included in  the  Techno  CNC  system  seemed perfect for Foam Fabricators’ needs, so the company decided to purchase it. The technical specifications of the Techno machine they selected include a  working  area  for  the  router  of  59 inches by 50 inches and z-axis height of  12  inches,  a  vacuum  hold-down table, 5 horsepower Columbo spindle and  a  raised  gantry  for  large  part clearance. The table features a rapid travel speed of 800 inches per minute, a  z-axis cutting force of 200 pounds maximum, 0.0005-inch resolution and repeatability,  and  0.003  inches/foot absolute accuracy. Automated sample production Now  when  a  customer  comes  to Foam  Fabricators  with  a  request  for a new product, the engineer creates the SolidWorks model, as he did in the past. But instead of creating a drawing, he exports the solid model directly into the  Techno  system’s  CAM  program. Originally designed for metalworking, this CAM program is also well-suited for  foam  because  of  its  ability  to generate the most complex contours with  little  programming  effort.  In  the CAM  program,  the  engineer  gives the  command  and the software creates the toolpaths for cutting the sample. The only additional input required is information such as feed rates and cutting speeds. Total programming time, from when the SolidWorks model is imported into the CAM program until and this type of contact ensures low friction,  low  wear,  and  long  life. The ball  screws  also  make  it  possible  to produce parts to the machine resolution of 0.0005 inch. In addition, the machine is constructed on steel stress-relieved bases with hardened steel linear ways, and  ball  screws  with  servomotors standard, which offer the best precision performance,  speed  capacity,  and machine  longevity.  This  shaft-and- bearing system produces very smooth, play-free motion and is an extremely rigid system that produces high-quality cuts.   Customers  appreciate  the  faster turnaround  on  samples.  Those  who need a high degree of accuracy in their samples are noticing an improvement from  the  Techno  machine  here,  too. More importantly, customers who come to Foam Fabricators seeking packaging components now have confi dence that the  company  can  take  on  their  jobs, no matter how complex the shape of their parts. Because the CNC machine imports CAD geometry and replicates that  shape  exactly,  regardless  of  the complexity,  Foam  Fabricators  is  no longer limited to simpler shapes.   Having  the  Techno  CNC  machine has paid off for Foam Fabricators in a number of ways: faster turnaround on samples, more accurate samples, better  satisfi ed  customers,  and  the ability to take on more complex jobs. In  addition,  having  a  CNC  machine helps  the  company  compete  against other injection foam molders. “Making samples  on  a  CNC  machine  is becoming  the  norm  in  our  industry,” explains Musgrove. “With the Techno machine,  we  found  a  cost-effective way to meet this requirement.” the system is ready to cut foam, ranges from 30 minutes to two hours depending on the complexity of the part. After a piece of foam stock is fastened to the Techno machine, the operator hits the “start” button and the sample is then carved automatically. The machine does not require any supervision, except to remove the finished piece and attach a new foam block to repeat the process. With this machine, a typical order for 20 samples is completed in two days. Large sample  orders  no  longer  require  the production assistance of engineers. The machine is simply kept supplied with stock and runs until the order is fi nished. Foam  Fabricators  has  been  very pleased with the reliability of the Techno machine. With just regular lubrication, it functions perfectly. Part of its reliability is  due  to  the  materials  used  in  its construction. For example, the machine uses  antibacklash  ball  screws. These screws have excellent power transmission  due  to  the  rolling-ball contact between the nut and screws,