Turn/Milling for Aerospace
Intrex has been involved with producing machined components for the aerospace market for many years. Many of the components require complex turn/milling machining. Turn/milling is a process whereby a milling cutter machines a rotating workpiece. This method combines milling and turning techniques and has many advantages, but relatively recently has the introduction of multitasking machine tools allowed the turn/milling process to produce parts utilizing its more complete benefits.
Intrex Aerospace has made substantial investments in CNC machine tools that can offer an innovative machine concept, which allows for efficient machining of such workpieces utilizing just one machine. Complex work shapes for both turning and milling operations traditionally were machined on multiple machine tools, requiring multiple setups and reestablishing of workpiece fixturing and positioning.
Turn/milling is defined as the milling of a curved surface while rotating the workpiece around its center point. Eccentric forms or shapes that differ considerably from those produced by conventional milling or turning operations can often be produced.
Manufacturing efficiency is vital for to producing high quality consistent parts. Quality drives production. Intrex Aerospace is always working toward higher levels of effeciency. In the last few years, we have made significant investments in CNC turn/mill equipment that utilizes turn-mill technology. There are a host of benefits to this technology:
- Reduce setups
- Internally transfer the work piece between the two spindles
- Add a tool head with rotary drive
- Maintain tighter tolerance
Reduce Setups
Multi-axis, multi-spindle CNC machines can machine multiple surfaces with reduced number of chucking. This feature greatly eliminates error “stackup” by reducing the number of work piece chuckings, and fixtures required.
Internally transfer the work piece between two spindles
The ability to transfer the work piece between two spindles on the same machine, helps maintain “home” or “zero” reference positions as the part is transferred. This “internal” transfer greatly enhances quality control, heightening higher quality of consistent parts.
Add a tool head with rotary drive
By adding a work head with milling capability into the machine envelope, it greatly increases machining efficiencies, reduces the number of chucking, and you have a single machine with a common “home” or “zero” work reference.
Maintain Tighter Tolerance
We are always striving for machining excellence. Our lean initiatives drive continuous improvements in machining methods and practices. Our multi-task, mill-turn machines help us achieve our improvement purposes. With the ability to reduce set up, we eliminate much of the error caused by tolerance stack up. It also can give us better control of the overall machining process, thus better finishes.
Much of aerospace requires ITAR compliance. We are compliant. We have both AS9100 and ISO 9001 certifications. We are experienced with defense DX and DO requirements. Our quality system can provide the system controls necessary for these types of parts.
Our powerful Epicor ERP/MRP software system manages the entire process: material sourcing, production scheduling, special processing management, shipping, and documentation. We are familiar and experienced with FAIs and AOGs.
To learn more about Intrex Aerospace’s manufacturing capabilities for government aerospace and defense projects, or about the advantages of 5-axis CNC machining for the defense markets, contact our office today.
