Northstar Aerospace Creates Efficiencies
11.12.2015
Okuma’s Kevin Kraieski spent six weeks in Chicago this summer doing some training and a part runoff for a new MULTUS B750 that was installed at Northstar Aerospace. Northstar is the leading independent manufacturer of helicopter transmission components in the United States, so they have a very busy production schedule. The cycle time for some of their parts is about 30-40 hours, and prior to purchasing the B750 they had a process that involved lots of operator intervention – stopping the machine, opening the doors, checking things by hand, making offsets, and then restarting. Northstar’s goal with their new CNC machine was to improve their overall production processes and create efficiencies.
Technologies From Partners in THINC
The MULTUS B750 is a big horizontal lathe that uses the latest technologies to cut features on heat-treated material (40-50 Rockwell) that’s specified for these critical transmission parts. MULTUS B series machines also include Okuma’s Collision Avoidance System (CAS) software, which prevents crashes that wreak havoc with efficiency. The setup on the B750 also includes technologies from Partners in THINC that help create further efficiencies:
- A Renishaw probe is used for in-process gaging, which allows the machine to check the part itself, without operator intervention.
- Tool Monitor Adaptive Control (TMAC) from Caron Engineering monitors electric current load to the turning and milling spindle and will stop the machine if loads exceed the established values. This also has an adaptive feature that increases or decreases cutting feed rates if loads are within a safe cutting range.
- A high pressure coolant system from MP Systems provides better coolant flow to the cutting tool and helps extend tool life.
Northstar’s Investment in Quality
The team at Northstar filmed a time-lapse video of the machine installation where you can watch in 3 minutes what took nearly 4 weeks to complete. The B750 sits in a spotlight position on the shop floor, so they can show it to customers when they come in for tours. It makes a big statement and leaves a big impression about Northstar’s investment in quality. Recently Northstar had another Okuma installed – an LB35III horizontal lathe. Seems their mission is being accomplished.
More: Read Kevin’s blog post “Northstar Aerospace on a Mission for Efficiency” to learn more about the efficiency enhancements they achieved.
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