Highly Productive Processing Systems for Heavy Fabrication

In Booth A-2961, the new Gemini Model 36 HDE dual bridge gantry plate processing system from Ficep Corporation (Forest Hill, MD) features numerous productivity and capability additions that were previously not available to the market. One of the most significant benefits is its dual spindle configuration: Each spindle is totally independent and has separate X- and Y-axes so that different drilling, milling and scribing operations can occur on each spindle simultaneously. The addition of a second fully-independent spindle with sub-axis positioning increases the drilling, milling and scribing productivity by approximately 40 percent in the same footprint. The dual bridge gantry remains locked in place as each spindle positions in both axes as required. The stock plate is rigidly clamped with four servo driven material clamps that contacts the entire width of the plate on both sides of the spindle. The positioning speeds of the spindles and dual bridge gantry have been increased up to 100 percent to substantially reduce chip-to-chip time.

The direct-drive spindles deliver 100 percent of the motor’s power to the tool using a 50 taper tool holder for drilling holes up to 3 in diameter. Two automatic tool changers provide up to a total of 48 tools for drilling, milling, scribing, tapping, counter boring and more. Each spindle is also equipped with an automatic chip extraction system to remove drill chips prior to thermal cutting. One or two Hypertherm HPR 400 XD plasma torches with programmable bevel cutting can be furnished in addition to multiple oxy-fuel torches.

Also on display will be the RAZ thermal cutting production cell for structural steel that uses a FANUC robot in conjunction with a Hypertherm torch to produce thermal cutting operations for bolt holes, copes, weld prep, rat holes, cut off and more – a productive and cost-effective system for fabricating structural steel in a small footprint. This integrated production cell employs a conversational Ficep CNC control and software to control all thermal cutting and marking operations.

Ficep Corporation, 2301 Industry Court, Forest Hill, MD 21050-1683, 410-588-5800, www.ficepcorp.com.