Modern Speed and Accuracy Upgrades For Ageing Machine Tools
EEC routinely assist machining customers who are running old and ageing machining centres, mills and lathes. Some of the work is maintenance and repair, whilst other scenarios present a requirement to introduce modern accuracy standards into older machinery – the latter being the focus of this post.
In the current climate of cost driven markets, it is not always financially viable, or necessary for machining companies to invest vast sums of money into the latest, highly complex machining centres. For many years EEC Ltd have been upgrading old machine tools, integrating the latest measurement and display technologies – improving accuracy, efficiency and reliability – enabling machine shops to compete at a high level whilst retaining original machinery.
Measurement, Display, Accuracy and Efficiency Upgrades Using HEIDENHAIN and ACU-RITE Technology
Using world-class tools from HEIDENHAIN and ACU-RITE, EEC engineers design and install linear and rotary scale systems, and Digital Readout technologies into an array of legacy machinery, from simple scale upgrades, to replacing outdated DRO equipment, to complex multi-display systems. We design our own installations, bracketry, looms and cabling – unique to each setup. Measurement and Readout installations are fully tested and customers are given a comprehensive demonstration upon completion, ensuring that operators are fully versed in all of the additional and improved features of their upgraded machine tool setup.
Examples of our work can be seen below
2-Axis Scale and DRO Upgrade For Hardinge Lathes
2 axis Acu-Rite system fitted to the Hardinge HLV-H lathe.
- An EEC 2-axis system – upgrade to a Hardinge lathe.
- Acu-Rite SENC 150 1μm scales and Acu-Rite DRO 203 display.
- Custom made mounting Brackets, Guard and Cable Routing.
3 Axis Scale and Display Upgrade On a Aciera F3 mill
3 Axis Acu-Rite installation fitted to Aciera F3 mill.
- An EEC 3-Axis System.
- Acu-Rite DRO 203 display.
- Custom mounting brackets and cable routing.
- X, Y and Z axis scale installations.
Upgrading a Myford Cylindrical Grinder with HEIDENHAIN Linear Scale and DRO
Customer testing the measurement to ensure that it meets the tolerances required.
- EEC Single axis linear scale and DRO setup.
- Fitted to a Myford Cylindrical grinder
- Single axis HEIDENHAIN LS 388C scale
- ND 287 Display.
- Custom installation brackets.
Replacing an Old VRZ 760 Digital Readout With a Modern DRO
Complete new system showing the current touch screen ND 7013 showing the clarity of the display.
- EEC engineers replaced the VRZ 760 ageing scale and DRO setup
- Custom designed, modern scale and touch screen DRO
- Based around a HEIDENHAIN ND7013 touchscreen DRO display.
Upgrading From 2-Axis to 3-Axis – EEC Scale Upgrades
3 axis Sino display swapped from one machine to the other
- EEC engineers upgraded a customer’s newly acquired, second hand milling machine, which housed a 2 axis DRO system, with a 3 axis system that the customer already owned.
- Custom made adapters and fixings were made to house the replacement DRO and fixings were made to mount the Acu-Rite SENC scales.
