Machine to save time

2003/04/01 Atxotegi Alegria, Uhaina - Elhuyar Zientziaren Komunikazioa Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Unibertsitateak

U. Atxotegi

Before conventional machining was studied, that is, the students began to manipulate the machines manually. The hands, on the other hand, fell short of the resources of many instruments and the technology of numerical control has replaced human hands. In fact, with numerical control the operator performs a program and the machine follows the orders. In this type of technology, molds and dies are made of soft steel, which must be treated until hardening. The material is machined through different hardening phases and finally polished. However, as a result of these phases, costs skyrocket and waste a lot of time.

Subsequently, CAM technology (computer-assisted machining) was created to facilitate the work of the operator. Through this system, the student or worker draws by computer what he wants to machine and the computer offers directly a program. Within CAM technology there is more than one strategy, among other things, prepared for systems or new machines and materials designed for old tools and machines.

High Speed Machine

Teachers at the Antonian school are learning to use the new system.

U. Atxotegi

In order to track these three technologies, and always with the aim of saving time, high-speed machines have been created. The new system eliminates the treatment and polishing phases mentioned in numerical control. For example, moulds and dies are made directly from hard steel and do not require any treatment. Of course, this innovative machine must meet a number of requirements: it cannot change speed and, on the other hand, speed should not influence the accuracy of the product even though it occurs more quickly. The result must be equal to that obtained with other technologies.

This type of technology is being worked in different schools of the CAPV, including Vitoria-Gasteiz, Arrasate and the Antonian Polytechnic Institute of Zarautz. A team of teachers from this last center is learning to use this technology for later use by their students. Professor Iñaki Beobide, a member of this project, told us that three years have been imposed to learn high-speed machine technology.

Training and applications

In the last three years, Tekniker has developed this innovative technology in the field of machining. The teachers of the Antonian school approached him to train in this technology and since then they work together.

Antonian Ikastetxea has recently received this innovative machine.

U. Atxotegi

The courses have already been completed. From now on, they want to learn how to handle the machine and software they have recently acquired; they also intend to prepare didactic material for their students to internalize the new system in the most appropriate way possible. If it is not in the next course, they would like to do a test with the students. The idea is to teach high-speed machine technology in the production section of the students of the mechanics team.

For Iñaki Beobide, “this type of technology is mainly used in mold and die processing companies”. It is also used in stamps and ironworks. On the other hand, the process is more expensive, but Professor Beobide believes that “we have to analyze in which cases we have to use it and in which we do not”.

We cannot deny that this technology is innovative. As the name suggests, it helps to save time and reduce expenses for many companies.