Multiple machine tool builders offer equipment for machining the helicopter transmission components Northstar Aerospace Inc. produces at its Bedford Park, Ill., facility, but not all are equally efficient in handling the task. The parts weigh up to 350 lbs. (159 kg), have diameter tolerances as tight as 0.0003" (0.0076mm) and are made of aerospace-grade super alloys typically hardened from 50 to 60 HRC, said Brian Cheek, vice president and general manager at Northstar. The company needed to increase efficiencies to meet its hectic production schedule and examined some replacement offerings comparable to two of Northstar’s lathes. The search led to Northstar purchasing a new Okuma MULTUS B750 horizontal lathe and an LB35III horizontal lathe from Okuma distributor Morris Midwest’s Roselle, Ill., location. (Okuma America Corp. is headquartered in Charlotte, N.C.)
Click Here to Read More.
