Transfer machine-based production technology enjoyed its heyday back in the 1970s. Schaublin Machines SA, headquartered in Bévilard, is bringing all its digital and mechanical know-how to bear in turning the spotlight back onto this technology.
Transfer technology is used for workpieces where the specifications focus primarily on productivity. It enables unrivalled production rates for prismatic geometries, while ensuring tightly controlled quality and process precision. Schaublin Machines SA specialised in this technology back in the 1960s – and today the company is proud, in a world first, to present its S19-15V transfer machine at EPHJ. Incorporating cutting-edge innovations, the S19-15V was specially designed for the production of watch parts.
The S19-15V combines the productivity of transfer technology with the connectivity, flexibility and precision of new-generation digital kinematics.
High productivity and enhanced flexibility
The S19-15V transfer machine features 15 three-axis workstations arranged around a rotary table that holds the items for machining. Twelve of these workstations are kept in the machining area, while the three others handle loading, unloading (automatic or manual) and inspection of parts. The S19-15V is also available with a minimum of six machining stations. The FANUC 30iB controller and the spindle and kinematic drive motors come from the same supplier. The C-axis with direct drive technology enables diamond chamfering of watch parts.
The S19-15V uses FANUC’s smart AI Contour Control function. A wide range of spindles can be used to increase torque or rotational speed. A Hirth coupling ensures the correct angular positioning of the rotary table, with an indexing time of just 1.5 seconds. The machining stations are programmed completely independently of each other, facilitating ease of use. The workpiece cycle time is that of the longest machining station, which means that operations need to be divided up in order to optimise productivity. A major and particularly lengthy operation can be split up across more than one station.
The S19-15V can machine metallic and non-metallic materials, with or without cooling. The manufacturer also offers robotised and palletised integration via its own system developed in-house. The highly modular machine configurations can be adjusted to fit buyers’ varying needs, and can also evolve over time. In other words, Schaublin Machines SA leverages state-of-the-art technology to enhance the flexibility and boost the productivity of transfer machines. Learn more at EPHJ booth D115!
Michel Pech