In the world of manufacturing, cam-driven multi-spindle machines will always be an important part of part production. When it comes to high-volume orders and those less constrained tolerances, cam-driven is the answer.
But, as manufactured parts get smaller and technology grows more complex, we are also experiencing an industry-wide demand for tighter tolerances and more precise machining. CNC-level accuracy is becoming a necessity during the machining process, and it is up to machine manufacturers to keep up with the demand. We sat down with Davenport’s Lead engineer, Sandro Baltano, to discuss Davenport’s answer to the call for a more accurate, more capable machine: The Davenport Hybrid.
How does the Davenport Hybrid Machine answer the industry’s demand for CNC-level accuracy?
For parts made from 7/8 or smaller bars, there is no other machine in the marketplace that has the ability to create the same superior value, and return on investment proposition. From single point threading, to the flexibility and accuracy associated with both insert tooling and the CNC slides, the Hybrid provides unprecedented feature generation and control possibilities. From a financial standpoint, the benefits are obvious as well. The Davenport Hybrid’s cost of entry point is roughly 1/3 or less of what other production platforms cost to produce the same kind of output or less.
How has the Davenport Hybrid Machine’s precision capabilities evolved in comparison to previous generations of Davenport technologies?
Precision is paramount with the Hybrid. It is an exponentially more accurate machine on a production basis. As an illustration:
- The Model B forms diametrical features to roughly .003” total tolerance.
- The Servo B forms to roughly .0015” total tolerance.
- The Hybrid can routinely form diameters less than .0005” total tolerance.
It’s no secret that a major concern in the industry right now is not having the proper talent to operate multi-spindle machines. What is Davenport doing to combat that issue?
We have heard the marketplace regarding the ability to attract younger workers and to make training them easier, as well as the need to reduce, if not eliminate, the “magic” or “art” often associated with running Davenports successfully. Simply put, the Hybrid eliminates all cams on side-cutting tools. The powerful digital controls ensure that set-ups are repeatable, faster and more predictable from operator to operator; dimensional requirements are achieved not through trial and feel, but through programming and digital offsets– all the while preserving the integrity and reliability of the machine’s mechanical foundation. Art has been replaced by science and as a result, using a Davenport has never been easier.