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Remote diagnostic capability on the CNC gives the Schütte team the ability to "see" inside the machine during operation to gage performance, resolve issues in-process and make suggestions to the operator on how a particular cutting sequence might be improved. "Schütte specialists can take my suggestion, implement it into the software and literally re-program the machine," Mr. Boland says. "I can also send them a 2D PDF electronically, and the change can be made almost immediately. What a difference that's made in our productivity." e Schütte 325linear grinding machine has two auxil- iary slides with a large machining area of 400 mm × 250 mm × 250 mm (XYZ) and five-axis dynamics. At Crowley Tool, the machine is used for the production of material removal tools, so the precision of the rake angles, for example, is paramount. e software allows an on-screen 3D simulation of the entire cutting sequence, showing the distance from the cut edge or rake angle as a colored value on the simulated tool, so the proper grinding wheels can be selected more easily, depending on the material surface and appropriate geometry. e cycle simulation also anticipates possible collisions with the tool guidance system or other moving machine parts. "We run some complex fluting patterns with ID/ OD relief and stepped configurations," Mr. Crowley says. "Often, our customers require three, six and 12 set packages. As a lot of our customers are doing automotive, defense, aircraft, valve stem, connector, transmission and specialized fitting work, they have exceedingly high quality expectations, and so do we. In the last few years, we've started to run the new machine on a network where we can back up all the production data for our customers as well as our own quality control." As Mr. Crowley further explains, these requirements put the shop on some new paths with its tracking proto- cols, and he says the team at Schütte are very helpful with assisting Crowley Tool in that process. "e purchase of this Schütte grinder was a major capital investment for our shop, and it's made a significant improvement in our operation. You could say it's changed the face of Crowley Tool," he says. For more information from Schütte LLC, call 517-782- 3600 or visit schutteusa.com. For more information from Crowley Tool Co., call 615-824-5594 or visit crowleytool.com. CASE IN POINT 42 PRODUCTION MACHINING :: NOVEMBER 2016