Drilling machines: features, functions and future.

DRILLING MACHINES: FEATURES, FUNCTIONS AND FUTURE

According to Riccardo Azzoni, president of Atlantic Machinery, "The greatest assets a boring machine can have are: user-friendliness, accuracy, ease of setup and affordability." Most of the other industry experts interviewed by WOOD & WOOD PRODUCTS shared similar opinions.

Peter Zurcher, national sales manager at Grass America said, "boring machines should be easy to operate with added safety features built in and easy and simple to maintain." He added that he also values straightforward changeovers in boring machines.

A.C. Brown, field service manager for Medalist Industries, added "quick, repeatable setup for a wide range of parts is an important feature of boring machines." Other priorities Brown noted include: "the capacity to bore at varying hole depths in the same setup without the use of costly fixturing; the capacity to bore mirror imaged parts within one setup; and being able to do away with U-joint type spindles and drive trains."

"Quick setups, accuracy and speed," are the most significant features noted Richard (Tim) Byrnes, president of Richard T. Byrnes Co. Gary Wells, president of Tritec Assoc., said accuracy is the greatest concern. "Precision is the overriding consideration," he said, "followed by versatility."

Roger Stiles, president of Roger Stiles & Assoc., maintained the difference between set-up time and run time is the top priority of boring machines.

Another function of a boring machine is its increased computer capabilities. "The level of computer technology applied to our machines enhances the flexibility, a key element in just-in-time production," said Walter Favruzzo, general manager at Stefani Group America. Ken Amidon, technical sales representative at Stiles Machinery, said, "The biggest thing in point-to-point machines, beside a computer, is programmable selectable spindles," which allow the operator to "put a hole anywhere." Even with a 32mm system there can be an oddball hole, he added, but an operator can put one in a hard-to-reach spot.

Multifunctionality

Some manufacturers and distributors notice a demand for versatility resulting in an increase of multi-function machines. Warren Wade, president of Tekna said that in the future "the gap between boring and true routing machines will slowly close. Point-to-point CNC boring equipment will be capable of doing more sophisticated routing procedures."

Stiles said he sees a trend in machines combining routing, boring, and edgebanding on one machine.

Machining centers: multi-function

equipment vs. dedicated machines

Some experts hold that as the boring operation becomes more computer controlled, machining centers will evolve. The boring machine is "changing rapidly into a machining center, capable of performing multi-task operations such as drilling, routing, grooving and hardware insertion," said Favruzzo. Likewise, Rolf Zollinger, machines and systems sales manager for Koch Ltd., said that more CNC adaptability will increase the machine's flexibility in the future. He added that the equipment will become "more multi-purpose, more universal, more like machining centers," capable of performing "several functions in one operation."

Favruzzo said he sees "a faster, more flexible machine with particular emphasis on the automation surrounding the boring machine to make it a true machining center, a completely self-sufficient operation in a computer integrated manufacturing environment with less operator dependence."

Amidon, in addition, noticed a trend of companies moving toward "cell production" which he describes as "small work stations on a computerized conveyor." In this system, tasks for a particular item, such as end panels, are grouped together at different cells. Doors and drawers would be worked on at different cells. In addition, in these "cell systems" the CAD/CAM drawings are "taking the operator more and more out of the system," said Amidon. The drawings need only to be "run through post-processors to translate it into computer language, then through a computer line to the machines."

Brown said he expects cell production in the future, too. He says that boring machines will have some "routing/mortising capacity, making a workcell of a single machine, with programming done off-line."

On the other hand, some manufacturers and distributors said that single-function machines increase efficiency. Tony Pao of Duramac said, "We see that CNC machines are being used more and more while many plants operating CNC as |machining centers' for years are now buying simple high speed machines to reduce CNC cycle time and to allow CNC machines to do what they do best."

In addition, Azzoni said, "We notice a definite trend toward dedicated machines. Easy to operate, affordable single purpose boring machines cut down on set-up time and can instantly double a shop's production just by dedicating one operator to run the dowel construction machine and another, the line boring machine. In most cases, two dedicated machines actually cost less than cumbersome and slow-to-convert combination drills."

Boring machines and the future

In general, industry experts are optimistic about the future of boring machines. Some predict that boring machines will feature the characteristics that are important today, but to a greater extent. Although the views on future trends differ, they generally refer to the computer capabilities of boring equipment.

"Boring machines will become more user-friendly and have easier CNC programming, allowing more unskilled labor to operate the equipment," according to Zollinger.

Azzoni said of the future, "Panel processing, furniture applications and even traditional face framing can all benefit from the time saved and strength of dowell construction. We are not limited by, or to, the 32mm system. The door is wide open." Regarding throughfeed machines and point-to-point, he added, "We see a push towards automation more and more in very high production facilities, where amount of pieces per hour and minimum set-up time are quintessential." Furthermore, he predicts growth for this segment.

Other manufacturers and distributors emphasized the continuous line system of production. Amidon said he anticipates the increased importance of bar coding as the "cell system" develops. As larger machines are broken up into components down the line, the specific operations of every process will be pre-programmed into a computer.

Wade said in the next five years, "CNC boring will improve in speed and versatility. Line integration with use of bar coding systems will improve productivity while allowing for smaller, more efficient batch runs."

Other views reflect the current technological innovations and emphasize the constant need to advance the technology of the woodworking industry. Zollinger said that material handling will become much simpler and easier, basically following the trend of the metal industry, which the wood industry trails by five years.

On account of efficiency, Byrnes predicts increased popularity of the point-to-point system. He says it will "definitely be the hot ticket for the 90s. It eliminates five operations."

George Force, president of Force Machinery, said the desire for more precision will bring about electronic measurement of manual machines and that the effort to comply with the "new strict, dust laws" will result in dust collection systems.

Wells said he sees small changes in boring machines that are user-oriented. These modifications include more sophisticated electronic programming and more "self-diagnostics." He also advocated education and exposure as the key elements in increasing woodworking technology. He strongly recommended seminars and trade shows and referred to Interbimall/Ligna as the "cutting edge of technology."

The following is a list of available boring equipment. For more information, circle the corresponding number on the Reader's Service card. Another valuable source for equipment, manufacturers and distributors is WOOD & WOOD PRODUCTS Red Book Buyer's Specification Guide. The 1991 edition is now available.

Boring equipment

Available from Hafele America, the Futura 2000 system is designed for easy use in small, medium and large shops. It handles both vertical and horizontal line drilling and features air hold-downs and fence assembly.

Medalist, McKnight-Miller Div. offers the Model 405 CNC vertical boring machine which features an IBM PC compatible computer for automatic setup and positioning of spindles in the programmed boring pattern. According to the company, this reduces set-up time and permits faster production runs. Four standard single spindle heads are driven by a 2-hp motor. The programmable table stroke is hydraulically controlled and the boring area is 16 in. by 48 in.

QuickWood offers multi-spindle boring machines that are smaller than typical boring machines, making them easy to assemble and operate, according to the company. They can be utilized with up to 40 spindles and are suitable for template spindle and linear spindle mounting. Available in three models, each machine comes standard with a safety guard, multiple pressure shoes and a continuous chip removal system.

The Ayen SKB-50-2, an updated model of the Ayen SKB-50 boring machine is available from Force Machinery. The new version incorporates the same patented swiveling gear box that allows the operator to completely reset the machine from dowel drilling to shelf hole drilling in under one minute. The SKB-50, as a single machine, will perform where others require two machines without requiring a long changeover time, the company says. Improvements include a lower machine price, a simpler and improved tilting system, better angle drilling and an improved line drilling fence.

The Model #400 T/M/B from Mereen-Johnson provides the capability to edge trim and sand, bevel sand, hinge mortise, bore, and faceplate mortise fiberglass, steel, and wood skin doors. All these capabilities are accomplished in a single feed-through machine. Utilizing all functions, plus an automated feed and alignment system, the machine reportedly has a production rate of 7.5 doors per minute. A CNC control system, featuring screen selectable parameters and automated axis positioning, provides one minute set-up capability.

The Top Series of boring machines available from SCMI includes the Top 21 (21 spindles) and Top 35 (35 spindles). These machines feature motorized tilting of the boring head from 0-90 degrees with boring possible in any intermediate position. The head is equipped with a hydraulic brake for positive control of the stroke. Other standard features include quick change adapters, a lateral mirror imaging guage, stops for boring out-of-square panels and a cast-iron assembly. This multi-purpose machine is reportedly ideal for both construction and system boring.

Available from Richard T. Byrnes Co. Inc. the Byrnes/Scheer BFC1000 computerized boring and routing center permits hole boring, groove cutting and surface routing without changing tools or repositioning the workpiece. Its CNC multi-microprocessor control allows programming during operation and its computer features unlimited memory.

Duramac Inc. offers a full line of vertical, horizontal and combination type high-speed drilling machines. The "Toyo" line of boring machines combines point-to-point NC boring with automatic material loading and unloading. The through-feed boring machines interface with each other to form high-speed process lines. The company says the BYNC-1200 NC boring machine is precise, inexpensive and easily operable, which allows the operator to do other work at the same time.

The Ritter Model 113 MiniDrill is a manually operated line drill which features: a 13-spindle gear drive head with 10mm centers; a 3/4- 110V motor; 24-in. by 36-in. table; a 48-in. backfence with six stops, two spring hold-downs; manual index pins for continuous line drilling; and legs to make it free standing. Optional features include custom drill heads.

Eric Riebling Co. offers the Schleicher Model RV46 in-line drilling machine. The machine is supplied with two boring heads, each equipped with 23 spindles spaced at 32mm. The RV46 is equipped with pneumatic index stops which, according to the company, ensure exact positioning when drilling in the longitudinal direction. The RV46 also comes with a pneumatic side clamp to hold workpieces against the fence and both boring heads are adjustable via hand-wheel.

The seven-spindle boring head is an accessory available from Julius Blum for the Minipress drilling and hinge insertion machine. This device attaches to any existing pneumatic or manual Minipress and enables the manufacturer to economically perform System 32 drilling. Two retractable locator pins permit accurate successive boring of seven holes per cycle and the line of holes can be bored up to 94mm from the edge of a panel.

Tyler Machinery says its twin spindle drill unit is designed for the high spindle speeds and low maintenance requirements of the woodworking industry. The drill unit is comprised of a Model 2111 drill head and a TEFC spindle drive motor which can be arranged for mounting to existing machines or incorporated into special machines, depending upon the individual application requirements.

The Weeke BP-05 machining center, available from Stiles Machinery, offers quick setup and changeover, CNC flexibility, boring, grooving and routing capabilities. CNC control has X/Y/Z interpolation and interfaces for connection with a CAD/ CAM PC. Features include 10 vertical, individually controlled boring spindles and two horizontal spindles for end boring. Panel table consists of six pneumatically clamped support tables with two vacuum cups each.

Roger Stiles & Assoc. offers the IMA type BIMA 1 CNC-controlled drilling and milling machine with two processing stations. It is designed to handle vertical, horizontal and groove drilling; fitting insertion and groove sawing.

B.M. Root Co. offers the RH 1000 horizontal borer which features: stepless hydraulic feed, automatic or intermittent feed strokes, fast set-up, 36-in. table boring capacity and easy access spindles. Spindles can be equipped with multiple, fixed or adjustable boring heads.

Tritec Assoc. Inc. offers the Gannomat Superdrill, a universal dowel - hole drilling machine. It features drilling from below, which the company says keeps the supporting tables and workpieces free from chips, allows easy drilling through partitions and ensures a longer tool life. Also, the side stops can be turned down for stopfence System 32.

SL Woodworking Machinery Inc. offers the SL Model DM039, a 39-spindle machine suited for vertical and horizontal construction holes as well as line boring. The company says this machine can be converted in seconds from vertical to horizontal by pneumatic control and requires no additional setup. This model also performs intermediate angle boring such as 45 degree frame and case assembly holes. Also, this machine allows enough room for mirror image boring of deep base panels, thus eliminating the need for separate set ups.

The Vitap MX boring machine from Atlantic Machinery features: three 2.5-hp motors; two parallel vertical heads with 21 spindles each; one head with 21 spindles pneumatically tilting to either a vertical or horizontal position, and each head having digital readout for precise adjustments. It also includes six pneumatic hold-downs and a CNC system that controls the seven pneumatic stops positioned on the fence which can be raised and lowered automatically to the desired position. A memory system for stops is included.

Marcon Woodworking Machinery Inc. offers the Model M8000 mini boring machine. Its features include: 13 spindles on 32mm centers, adjustable drill depth control, 48-in. fence with swing away tops and a 17-in. by 31-in. drill surface. The company says it offers the advantages of interchangeable heads for custom drill patterns and adaptable heads for use on a drill press.

Altendorf America says the Brandt RB 25 was designed specifically for kitchen cabinet, furniture and store fixture applications. The machine features two parallel drill heads of 25 spindles each. Both or either drill head can be activated by foot pedal control. The model also features a fixed-reference linear fence and two hinged fences with micro-precision stops; six short-stroke clamping centers; and dual center flip stops on the line boring fence to accommodate KD fitting work.

European Woodworking Machinery offers the Nottmeyer Thru-Feed Boring Machine SP-N available with top, bottom and end boring. Each support axis is equipped with an electronic digital indication and a pneumatic clamp. Standard boring heads come in 11-spindles for vertical boring and nine-spindles for horizontal boring. Other configurations are available. A complete CNC throughfeed boring/doweling system is also available.

According to Stefani Group America Inc., the Unibohr 2000 maintains unaltered boring measurements when rotating the boring unit from horizontal to vertical and vice-versa. Also, the machine can be operated without the aid of millimeter scales. The company adds that no part needs to be moved or removed when rotating the unit from horizontal to vertical position and vice-versa.

R.S. Brookman offers the Series 3600 micro-processor controlled, linear locator machine. The boring heads can be single or twin, provided with multi-spindle blocks to a variety of centers and clusters. The micro-processor, according to the program keyed, causes the workpieces to be located before the heads, clamped and bored, thereby generating the required pattern of holes. Also, the processor will retain up to 100 programs in memory, has mirror image reversal and step interval setting.

Solid Wood Systems Inc. offers the Balestrini line of drilling equipment. Included is the Model FTA end-cutting, moulding and boring machine, and the IF Model for end-cutting and boring.

Features of Grass America's GM I include: an eight-spindle gearbox for line boring, hinge drilling and baseplate drilling; easy adjustment for precise boring depth; and automatic removal of wood chips with air pressure. Machine operations are controlled by an air logic system, automatically shutting off bits for safe operation. It also includes a 220-V/3-phase/1-hp motor to drill through the hardest woods with ease.

Fortis Machinery Corp. offers its WW-19 and WW-23 heavy-duty universal 19- and 23-spindle boring machines for 32mm systems. According to the company, these machines were designed to be rigid and fully universal for construction and line boring, vertical and horizontal drilling, and angular boring. Whole spindle assembly is driven from both sides by two 1.5-hp Nema standard motors. Total weight is 1,630 lbs.

Tekna Machinery Inc. offers the Morbidelli Universal 50 multi-spindle point-to-point drilling machine. The company says it is designed specifically to execute multi-spindle boring and routing operations on panels up to a maximum of 1,300mm (51 in.) deep. Multi-unit 9-hp routers, horizontal boring groups, and saw grooving units can be applied. The Universal 50 comes equipped with 29 independent spindles controlled by the advanced micro-processor, Tria 6000, that is capable of moving the drill head in simultaneous "X", "Y", and "Z" axis planes. Input to the full graphics controller can be accomplished at the machine or through a remote personal computer interface.

Available from Koch Ltd. Machinery & Systems, Bussellato machines are offered in two basic structures: Supermaster Series features heavy-duty overhead beam-type construction, and Superjunior has cantilever-type construction, without all the features and capacities of the Supermaster. Features available on new models include: increased working fields, particularly for auxiliary units; a wide range of boring-spindle arrangements; and increased machining capabilities. These models integrate IBM-compatible PCs into the operation.

PHOTO : The Morbidelli Universal 50 from Tekna Machinery has 29 microprocessor-controlled independent spindles.

PHOTO : Atlantic Machinery offers the Vitap MX boring machine, which includes six pneumatic hold-downs and a CNC system that controls seven pneumatic fence stops.

PHOTO : SCMI's Top 35 includes quick change adapters and stops for boring out-of-square panels.

PHOTO : The Scheer BFC1000 from Richard T. Byrnes Co. has a CNC multi-microprocessor control.

PHOTO : Blum's Minipress can be equipped with a seven-spindle boring head.

PHOTO : European Woodworking offers the Nottmeyer SP-N for top, bottom and end boring.

PHOTO : WW Model boring machines from Fortis are available with 19 or 23 spindles.

PHOTO : B.M. Root's RH1000 features stepless hydraulic feed and a 36-in. table capacity.

PHOTO : The Weeke BP-05 from Stiles Machinery has 10 vertical and 2 horizontal spindles.

PHOTO : Eric Riebling's Schleicher RV46 in-line drilling machine has pneumatic index stops and a pneumatic side clamp.

PHOTO : The Medalist 405 has four standard single-spindle heads driven by two-hp motors.