PUMA 700XLY+ with 6 central frames helps Hetraco company achieve production innovation

　　PUMA 700XLY turning center + 6 steady rests (3 double steady rests), promoting enterprise development.

 

 

　　Currently, tens of thousands of parts are used in aerospace, shipbuilding, turbine, and marine equipment fields. Bolts and nuts are basic, but their size and material vary widely, requiring different processing techniques according to their characteristics.

　　Hetraco in the Netherlands specializes in producing high-end special bolts, nuts, rivets, and bearings. Recently, Hetraco introduced the new PUMA 700XLY turning center from Dean Machine Tools, equipped with 6 independently controlled steady rests, currently used in the machining of special parts. These 6 steady rests fully support the processing of long workpieces, ensuring stable production processes.

　　[Challenges] Demand for quality, reliability, and short lead times

　　Dean Machine Tools' medium and large turning centers, contributing to increased productivity and the machining of large parts

　　Hetraco, located in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, specializes in producing bolts, nuts, and rivets made from various materials such as steel, stainless steel, composite steel, and nickel alloys. The company has high industry competitiveness in producing high-quality roll-forged fasteners.

　　Currently, Hetraco's technical capabilities have received high market recognition. Hetraco's products perform well in challenging industries such as component manufacturing, petrochemicals, marine, and coastal industries.

　　Rob Meilig, Hetraco's sales manager, said: "Our customers typically work in high-value industries requiring high quality, high reliability, and short lead times. To meet these demands, our factory has been working overtime. Now, Dean Machine Tools' turning center has significantly increased our output, allowing us to produce larger parts."
 
　　“We plan to use this new lathe to fill the company's market demand.”

　　[Solution] Ensuring surface quality and dimensional accuracy of long threaded bearings

　　Finding the answer in the PUMA 700XLY turning center and 6 steady rests

　　To increase overall machining output and ensure stable production of high-demand bearings (M100-M200), Hetraco invested in the 'PUMA 700XLY' equipment from Dean Machine Tools.

　　Marco van Schoonhoven, Hetraco's production manager, said: "Due to customer requirements for surface accuracy and dimensional accuracy, we compiled a list of machine tools that could solve these problems, the tools that could meet these requirements, and the specified zero-defect requirements. Through this list, we found the PUMA 700XLY met all our needs."

　　Thanks to the 5-meter swing radius of the Dean Machine Tools PUMA 700XLY and the 12-tool turret on the Y-axis, Hetraco can also perform milling operations.

　　In addition, for optimal cooling and chip removal, the PUMA 700XLY is equipped with a high-pressure system (70 bar). An automatic switch and six steady rests are also installed on the rotary device according to ergonomic principles. These steady rests generate relatively weak vibrations with the workpiece, effectively preventing long bearings from sagging, ensuring stable processing, optimal surface quality, and dimensional accuracy.
 
　　It's worth mentioning that these 6 steady rests consist of 3 double steady rests, which can be controlled individually. In addition, the PUMA 700XLY adopts a design that always supports the bearing, enabling more stable processing.

　　Optimizing space utilization

　　1-2 steady rests are typically installed on one machine tool. Currently, no company in the Netherlands has machine tools equipped with so many steady rests, so installing 6 steady rests (3 double steady rests) was undoubtedly a difficult challenge for Dormac (Dean Machine Tools' Dutch distributor).

　　Arthur Hoogland, manager of Dormac CNC Solutions, said: "We have been searching for this rare machine tool that can install 6 steady rests, and now we've finally found it."

　　Dormac, along with Staalmach, which provided the SMW Autoblok tool holder for this project, found a way to miniaturize and combine all the conduits and components.

　　[Future Plans] Continuously improving productivity

　　Continuing to move forward in terms of productivity growth through the stable operation of the 6 steady rests.

　　After using the PUMA 700XLY for several months, Marco van Schoonhoven, Hetraco's production manager, said: "We are very satisfied with the overall installation effect. Of course, the six steady rests have made some already installed programs slightly more complex, but these can be adjusted with minor adjustments, improving productivity."