My new Mazak QTU-200MSY is now nearly fully tooled and ready to make parts. The ATS bar feeder installation is now functional, though I’m waiting for a correctly fitting spindle liner. In this photo, I’m using the tool eye to touch off (find tool offsets) for a Becker CCMT polycrystalline diamond insert.
Here’s the very first part (other than test cuts during installation) that I’ve made, a JoWo #6 nib housing. This part was turned from a Mazatrol program, below.
These four JoWo #6 feeds and housings are probably the final parts I’ll make on my little Roland 4-axis mill. I’m transferring all my effort going forward to making these parts on the Mazak QTU-200MSY. Once that transfer is done, I’ll be able to offer parts in volume to pen makers worldwide.
I am excited to announce that I’ve found and rented a space in Carrollton, TX for Flexible Nib Factory LLC. The first machine will arrive at the end of January and the second in mid-February. I hope to have my first flexible nibs for beta testers shortly thereafter.
I’ve selected the Brother Speedio S700X1 with a Sankyo RT100 rotary tilt table for my vertical mill, and the Mazak QTU-200MSY for turning center. Both Yamazen, importer of Brother CNC machines, and Mazak, gave me exceptionally good pricing, which will enable me to launch my company with excellent manufacturing technology.
I am searching for factory space in the north Dallas area and hope to have a location locked down in the next few weeks.
My first choice for a vertical mill is the Brother Speedio S700X1, shown here with the Flex S robot loader / unloader module attached. This mill would be used for making nib forming dies, factory fixtures, and various fountain pen parts not well suited for a turning center.
Brother Speedio S700X1 with Flex S robot module
My second choice for a vertical mill is the Fanuc Robodrill. This is the smaller model with a robot loader / unloader. I would need the largest Robodrill.
Fanuc Robodrill with robot loader / unloader
My choice for a turning center is the Mazak Quick Turn Universal 200MSY. Shown here is the 200MY model, which has a tailstock replacing the sub spindle. I would use this lathe to make feeds, collars, sections and other fountain pen parts, along with some factory fixtures and other miscellaneous parts.
Mazak Quick Turn Universal 200MY
This is the Sankyo RT100 rotary tilt table that can be added to the Brother Speedio or the Fanuc Robodrill. I would use the smaller RT080 unit.
Sankyo RT100 rotary tilt table
Also, see this photo gallery of other interesting machines and rotary tables I saw at IMTS.
Haas CM-1 vertical mill
Kern Micro 5-axis vertical mill
Sharp Industries SV-2414SX vertical mill with robot loader / unloader
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