NEW 800MM OKUMA MACHINE CENTER

New 800mm Okuma Machine Center

Stainless Foundry & Engineering has recently expanded their machining capabilities to impressive dimensions. The 800mm Horizontal Okuma Machining Center will allow SF&E to machine some of their largest casting now in house, saving on lead time, cost and predictability all while utilizing the latest machining technology.

Gil Kowalczyk, SF&E Machine Shop Manager, controls operations and is currently proving out the 800mm Okuma for SF&E use. “Any skilled machinist can operate the new machine. We focus on job rotations so all SF&E machinist are qualified and capable of working all of our various machines”, says Kowalczyk.

800mm Okuma was purchased by SF&E for one reason; the ability to machine all of the customer’s castings that were previously too large for the other horizontal machines.

SF&E machine shop has the capabilities and processes to machine any casting to the desired scale or design. A probe is used on the 800mm Okuma Machine Center to touch the cavity on the casting and machine the correct dimensions in position on every piece. Conducting these services in house allows for shorter lead time and less error on deliverables.

Similar to other machines, the 800mm Okuma uses either manual controls or programs by the machinist to move the turn table to the accurate position up to 0.001 degrees before the tool makes contact with the casting. The Okuma allows one casting to start machining in the front of the machine, while in the back, the operator has the ability to load another casting and stabilize it. Once the first casting is completed the operator tells the machine to swap out parts making the platform rotate. “This feature also allows us to cut lead time”, Kowalczyk states as one of SF&E’s strategies.

The 800mm Okuma is installed with a tool matrix that can handle larger tools and a higher quantity of tools. “SF&E’s Okuma was installed with 81 tool pockets, expandable to 171 tools pockets in the future. Latest technology stuff”. The Okuma machine can be programmed to change a tool weighing up to 50 pounds. Once a casting is placed on the pallet, the operator selects a tool from the tool matrix and automatically the robot finds the tool from the matrix and quickly swaps out the attached tool to the desired tool.

The most valuable feature the Okuma machine has is the Turn Cut feature. “This feature gives us the ability to instead of being locked into cutting the diameter of the tool given we can use the turn cut feature that programs the machine to keep the tool tangent to the casting while the tool is spinning on a 17” [or desired length] diameter”, says Kowalczyk. This feature allows the machine to use a tool originally designed to cut an 8” diameter to then rotate in a larger circle to cut out an increased diameter (shown at 17”) while keeping the proper angle and section of the tool on the casting.

One-stop-shopping has always been a motto of SF&E. With this new machine that now applies to all of their customers with larger (and more difficult) castings. “When things are done in-house we have direct control of our destiny”. Machining in house makes things faster and easier therefore benefiting the customers.

Posted on: 2018-01-31 01:37:50

Other News Articles

Fueling the Future with Precision Nuclear Power Components

As the nuclear industry continues to grow, we take quality to the next level with non-destructive testing (NDT), comprehensive procedures, personnel qualifications and certifications. Check out the full article for visual insight into the attention to detail the SF&E team applies to keep nuclear plants safe.


Ready for the Future of Nuclear

Nuclear is getting a fresh look. Between the clean energy benefits, the development of small modular reactors, and the U.S. Navy’s continued reliance on nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines, the industry is growing. SF&E has produced nuclear parts for nearly as long as the industry has been around. Check out our plans to see how we will continue to serve the industry at large!


Morgan Joins Stainless Foundry & Engineering Sales Team

Stainless Foundry & Engineering (SF&E) today announced that Mr. Kim Morgan has joined the company as a Sales Consultant. In this role, Mr. Morgan will promote the foundry’s capabilities to manufacturers located in the U.S. and Canada.


Building on Brass and Bronze

The need for brass and bronze castings continues to grow in critical industries including NAVSEA, oil and gas, mining, construction, and food and beverage. Brass and bronze are non-ferrous metals that have highly-corrosion-resistant properties, making them ideal for parts submerged in seawater and pumps that move abrasive slurries.


The A Team: Introducing a New Alloy Requires Inter-Departmental Process and Skill

Stainless Foundry & Engineering (SF&E) has built an impressive offering of 250 ferrous and non-ferrous alloys. SF&E takes a methodical approach that involves all departments. Each department contributes to delivering castings using new alloys.


Return to the News Page