Specht series machines tackle wasted energy issues

The MAG Specht 500 platform, aimed at the automotive industry, is an agile manufacturing centre designed with energy efficient large batch production in mind. MAG Powertrain cites a number of examples. During the warm-up program, the machining process that represents just six per cent of the total energy consumption of the machine is the only capability not used. The machine is only ready for use after operating temperature is reached and stabilised. MAG Powertrain set itself the goal of drastically shortening this unproductive energy consumption phase. Machine temperature is measured with several sensors on important components. The expansion coefficients for these parts are stored in an external computer. Based on the data, the computer creates a three-dimensional thermal machine model that is transmitted to the control to determine the position corrections. This continues during the entire warm-up and production phase, providing constant machining quality during what would otherwise be an unstable condition. Initial results show that temperature compensation actually shortens the warm-up phase or makes it entirely unnecessary. Exhaust air also allows energy to go to waste as it takes a great deal of energy to move this air through duct systems and mist collectors. The working volume of the machining centre was optimised to reduce the required volume of air. By changing the air flow, the exhaust now sits in the middle above the machining table and this has reduced exhaust requirements to 540 cubic metres per hour. Comparable machines, says MAG, use about 1,500 cubic metres per hour, there is a significant energy saving.