Giddings & Lewis Retrofits and Rebuilds

Jun 8, 2015 6:56:00 AM

Featured in Manufacturing News (www.mfgnewsweb.com)


Giddings & Lewis Retrofits

Giddings & Lewis (G&L) machine tools are prolific throughout North American manufacturing facilities and, for more than 50 years, many of the Vertical Turret Lathes (VTLs) and Machining Centers built by G&L have served as reliable workhorses on their respective shop floors.  Many of these machines are now past their prime and, if left uncared for, will become more of a burden then an asset.  However, there is hope: 

Upgrading to the latest CNC technology, via a FANUC control retrofit, and/or rebuilding mechanical systems on aging G&L machines is one way manufacturers can improve the accuracy, reliability and productivity of these machines and at a much lower cost than buying new.  Retrofitting and rebuilding will not only extend the productive life of these older machine tools but will make them faster, smarter, easier to operate and will even lower energy costs in the process.

Giddings & Lewis Retrofits and Rebuilds from CNC Engineering, Inc.
G&L 8” HMC Retrofitted with a FANUC
0i-MD by CNC Engineering, Inc.

FANUC Retrofits
CNC Engineering, Inc. (Enfield, Connecticut) has retrofitted dozens of G&L machine tools throughout the country.  “The most recent G&L machine tool retrofits feature FANUC 0i or 30i series controls, state-of-the-art servo motors with digital drives, redesigned operator pendants, new electrical enclosures and, if needed, new machine wiring” said Gary Caravella, president of CNC Engineering, Inc.  Compared to the old controls, the new Fanuc controls are hundreds times faster, are available with a host of powerful functions and connectivity choices never dreamed of years ago. 

A 5-axes G&L MC50 retrofitted by CNC Engineering, Inc. for a large contract manufacturer located in the Northeast involved rewiring the machine and replacing all valves and switches.  Before CNC Engineering retrofitted the machine, operators were constantly reducing feedrates to alleviate chatter on large workpieces. The mechanics of the machine were in good shape but the vibration persisted and attempted calibration of the old servos also didn’t help. During the retrofit, CNC Engineering replaced the old system with new FANUC servos and successfully tuned the servos to completely eliminate the chatter, saving the company tens of thousands of dollars per year.

CNC Engineering also integrated a new high pressure coolant system while maintaining the existing coolant systems.  “Now, machine operators can select from flood coolant, low-pressure through spindle coolant or the new high-pressure through spindle coolant systems,” Caravella said.

Machine operators were also managing a challenging build-up of chips under the old Inductosyn scales.  CNC Engineering integrated new Fagor absolute linear scales with air purge and also added additional guarding to prevent any future chip build-up. The absolute linear scales eliminate the need for zero returning or homing the axes.

The older G&L machines feature large, archaic hand held operators pendants with limited functionality which were replaced by smaller, more capable, user-friendly FANUC HMOPs during the control retrofit project.  Before and after photos tell the story best. 

Giddings & Lewis Retrofits and Rebuilds
Before
Retrofit
Giddings & Lewis Retrofits and Rebuilds
After
Retrofit


W/Z Tracking
CNC Engineering, Inc. has taken their G&L retrofit packages one step further, by adding a W/Z Tracking feature to their Open Vision HMI software.  “While FANUC CNCs offer a standard W/Z Tracking option (Parallel Axis Tracking), CNC Engineering’s enhanced W/Z Tracking software is designed for ultimate operator friendliness, with features like displaying all relevant data on just one screen, thus eliminating the need to switch between to multiple screens to use the option, “ Caravella said. Open Vision HMI includes a touch screen interface that greatly simplifies the operator interface, thereby increasing efficiency. 

W/Z Tracking maintains the Part Coordinate relationship of a collinear set of axes, individually identified as the W-Axis and the Z-Axis.  These two axes are collinear because each axis moves along a single straight line which can be thought of as the W/Z axis.  The W/Z Part Coordinate System is established during setup and represents the distance between the Z-Axis Part Zero location and the W-Axis Part Zero location along this WZ Axis.  The Part Reference point of the Z-Axis is typically the gage line of the spindle and the Part Reference point of the W-Axis is typically a surface on the Workpiece. 

W/Z Tracking for G&L Machines

The WZ Virtual axis is shown on the Main Screen of CNC Engineering’s Open Vision Operator Screens.  These screens are set up to present to the Operator the same information shown on a G&L machine with the older NumeriPath 8000 CNC.  The WZ Tracking screens also display ACTUAL POSITION, COMMAND, and OFFSET screens.

CNC Engineering, Inc. is a leading provider of FANUC CNC solutions for a variety of manufacturing industries.  “As the largest FANUC CNC retrofitter in North America, we are committed to always exceeding customer expectations.  We are very proud of our 98% customer retention rate,” said Caravella.

 

Popular Content

Electrical Enclosures Matter!

Quality workmanship is always important and when it comes to CNC Retrofits, the machine electrical enclosure may be the...

Anayak_4000_19569-2

Anayak 5-Axis VMC Retrofit

The CNC Engineering team recently completed a FANUC 0i-MF control retrofit on this 5-axis Anayak 4000 VMC. For this...

G&L Retrofit Rebuild Thumbnail

Giddings & Lewis Retrofits and Rebuilds

Upgrading to the latest CNC technology, via a FANUC control retrofit, and/or rebuilding mechanical systems on aging G&L...

Get The Knowledge
Base Updates.