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programmer has told us that when he looks at a part that he does not think will run faster on the Index machines, he ends up cutting the time in half. And when he sees a job that is well-suited, it can cut the time by as much as 70 percent." Not So Tough Programming Learning the programming to machine the XX600 nozzle body was not difcult, according to Brandon Marcotte, operator and programmer at TFT. "We split the program into two copies that allowed simultaneous machining, and with the R300 turn-mill to get the time to 14 minutes. Te robot, with 10-kg capacity, loads one part at a time, taking the fnished part of while the machine internally transfers the part from one side to the other. Seems like a big animal, but it was not really." Mr. Marcotte says the biggest challenge programming the Index machine is balancing the work load between the two heads so he could get the most beneft out of each. "We were familiar with the control. We have used Siemens controls, and in our experience, it is quicker and more advanced than most, without over-complicating the process," he says. TFT had the Index Virtual Machine simulation software installed on Mr. Marcotte's computer before he received the R300, so he could optimize the program and test the posts with the fully simulated machine before the actual machine arrived. "Using the simulation allowed us to prove out posts and test the program before the machine hit the shop foor, so we were ready to run," he says. "Te software made it one of the smoothest machine installations we've ever had, and because the simulation is specifc to the machine, it is reliable. It is the machine control itself, unlike other general programming simulation software," Mr. Marcotte says. "All this capability has put us very far ahead in machining capacity, and we have the ability to do more," Mr. Mack says. "It's not that we bought a ton of new machines—it's that we bought the right machines." At TFT, highly capable multitasking machines help conserve valuable capital dollars for the company and permit it to turn out high quality parts in short cycles, resulting in lower per-piece cost. For more information about multitasking machines from Index Corp., call 317-770-6300 or visit indextraub.com. For more information from Task Force Tips, visit tft.com. For similar articles about multitasking machining, visit PM's Turn-Mill Machines zone. LINK :: short.productionmachining.com/ TurnMill location and capacity supports fast, more complete processing of the company's parts. Even simple parts are run faster, according to the company. With more machining capability, the design engineers start fguring out what the manufacturing foor is capable of. Te engineers have a feel for what can be done on the shop foor, and they design parts to take advantage of that. Te result is improved designs and improved quality for TFT's customers. CNC and User-Friendly Software Te machine's CNC is based on the Siemens Sinumerik S840D line and was enhanced by Index with user-friendly features. Specially developed cycles simplify even the most complex machining operations, supporting multi-axis milling and turning operations and providing maximum functional reliability. "Tere are so many features of the Siemens control that when tied to Esprit software, it became the easiest machine to set up of all the turn-mills," Mr. Mack says. "Our :: A large capacity tool storage of 140 cutters smooths production fow and reduces setups from job to job. Multiple Ops on One Machine productionmachining.com :: 37