NUM collaborates with Chinese machine builder to develop advanced CNC machining centre

摘要

CNC specialist NUM from Coventry, UK has helped the Chinese machine building company Original Point Machine Tools (OPMT) to develop an advanced 8-axis CNC machining centre capable of processing many different types of materials, including metal, ceramics, glass and cemented carbide. OPMT is a relatively small but fast-growing company based in Foshan - of Guangdong Province - in south China. It is rapidly acquiring a reputation for innovative complex engineering: after developing a highly successful 4-axis milling centre for an automotive production line, it then created a compact 5-axis milling station for the dental industry. For its latest project, OPMT was asked by Guangdong University of Technology to develop a machining centre that combined high speed laser cutting and milling capabilities. This key provincial university is located in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China, and provides a wide range of courses with a major emphasis on engineering. OPMT chose to partner with NUM for its CNC expertise as well as with the Xi'an Zhongke Microcrystalline Manufacturing Company and the Chinese Academy of Sciences to help with some of the complex materials processing issues. The result is the "ML125" 8-axis multi-function machining centre. The machine has a dual laser head that is capable of switching between a 20 W picosecond laser for very high speed cutting and an ultrafast 10 W femtosecond laser for improved process quality. The femtosecond laser is capable of drilling and cutting almost any type of material, and its very short 1030 nm wavelength means that it is suitable for microano processing applications.