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Second HSM Machine Joins Robot Fed Cell
01 Nov 2006
Avenue Mould Solutions, Sligo, one of the most advanced facilities in Ireland, for the manufacture of injection moulds, installed a second robotically-loaded Roeders highspeed machining (HSM) centre in February. The investment has allowed Avenue Mould to expand its machining capacity to keep pace with increasing demand for injection moulds from the medical sector, which it predominantly serves; only 10% of turnover is automotive.
The new RFM 600 model joins a similar machine that was installed in 1999. Both HSM machines are fed by a Fanuc 6-axis robot, 24h/ day, with tools and pallet-mounted components, all of which are housed in a store that has been expanded to accommodate 100 pallets on six levels and 80 tools on four levels.
The company not only supplies moulds to its customers, but also manufactures post-launch quantities of plastic medical components such as syringes and drug delivery devices. Sometimes, longer-term production remains with the Sligo company, which holds the relevant ISO 13485:2003 in addition to ISO 9001:2000. On the toolmaking side, HSM has transformed Avenue Mould's production, which until 1999 was exclusively by spark erosion, a traditional bottleneck in the industry.
Some EDM remains, as deep cavities, small radii and various other features cannot be machined in any other way. However, wherever possible, Avenue Mould adopts HSM to cut costs and lead-times.
Avenue Mould has twice won the Toolmaker of the Year category at the Plastics Industry Awards and has been a finalist on four other occasions.
www.avenuemould.com
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