Discussing the AXYZ machine, ITC technical sales manager Sally Hunt says: “For any sign makers witnessing issues with particular materials and jobs, we can take a sample of the material and do in-house testing without disrupting customer production. Having our own machine avoids inconvenient customer downtime and gives us the opportunity to apply a variety of cutting tools and machining parameters to achieve the best possible result. We have already improved cycle times, tool life and surface finishes for end users by having the time to offer in-depth investigation and analysis.
“Despite this service being in its infancy, we’ve already had instances where we have identified best-practice machining solutions whereby client workholding or machine performance may be inappropriate for the materials, processes and even tooling types,” she continues. “In the case of mineral-filled ACM, the challenge is that different manufacturers use different material compositions, and this has an impact on the cutting tool and machining process.”
Investing in the AXYZ 4080 routing machine is a conscious decision by ITC to meet the ever-changing demands of its customer base. Following the Grenfell Tower disaster in 2017, the machining of mineral-filled ACM boards has soared, and ITC is now at the forefront of machining technology for this particular market segment.
The 1.5m by 2.4m, 24,000 rpm/8 kW spindle machine enables ITC to conduct trials with a variety of cutting tool geometries, material compositions and coating technologies on every material and customer requirement that comes through the door.
