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Business Philosophy
Process
Design for Manufacturing
Drake not only takes responsibility for machine performance, but also for
process capability. Drake machines are designed and built to the concept
that a customer wants finished parts meeting the relevant specifications.
We understand that customers don't want machines, they want parts out the
door.
Productivity Focus
Achieving the goal of maximum productivity and lowest
cost per part is the job of Drake System Engineers who are focused on
optimizing the grinding process. Our machines are designed for outstanding
performance running aluminum oxide, seeded gel and plated or dressable
CBN wheels--as required to optimize the process.
Machine Innovation to Optimize Performance
There are no compromises in process, performance or quality.
Maximum stiffness, rigidity and precision are designed in. High gain closed
loop systems, sub-micron feedback, high resolution servo motors--plus these
features that produce maximum performance:
- Microcentric wheelheads--locked
down with scale feedback on the work table to control both dress and
grind motions on one axis. Stiffness of 500,000 pounds per inch at the
grind interface.
- Hydrostatic ways--under
the wheel slide with a new hydrostatic quill for wheel infeed. Over
100,000,000 oscillations on individual quills in the field without failure.
This allows a fixed, rigid mounting for the work head, and a stiffness
of 250,000 pounds per inch at the spindle nose.
- Fixed rotary diamond dressers--with
servo motorized drives and touch dressing capability. Mounted behind
the wheel on external and internal grinders for optimum rigidity and
process control at dress.
- High resolution servo encoders--for
0.000,001" velocity loop feedback to complement the Heidenhain
scale feedback of 0.000,004" for the position loop.
- Effective gap elimination--to
optimize floor-to-floor time as incoming product varies. Part and System
Programming to Simplify Set-Ups
Drake takes responsibility for all programming. Programs
are tested and confirmed electronically as the machine is being built.
They are proven in run-offs before leaving our plant, and again on your
floor at start-up. All aspects of the process are programmed in--grinding,
dressing, loading/unloading, gaging--whatever is required for the entire
family of parts.
Long-Term Support
With Drake, you have full software support throughout
the life of the machine. If your part requirements change, Drake System
Engineers are available to develop and install new menu-driven programs
at modest cost. We send you the update overnight, on a PC card for simple
installation by your people.
Operator Education
Process, program and machine are designed so the operator can maximize
parts production. Operator is not a machine trouble shooter, he's a parts
maker. Full on-site training is given on operation of control, use of
menu-drive software, process understanding and parts production. Operator
comfort and confidence in the machine are maximized.
Selected Words of Wisdom
Regarding Ourselves:
- Be effective--not just efficient. Stay on the critical
path.
- Enroll in the "School of Lifetime Learning"
if you intend to succeed.
- You must be willing to visit customers on their own turf.
- Take responsibility and be part of the solution.
Regarding Our Business:
- We build good machines! Every time.
- We must be smart enough to push our costs down the learning
curve.
- We treat our customers, employees, sales reps and suppliers
all the same--with respect.
Regarding Our Customers:
- Our commitment to you is parts out your door from day
one.
- We try to give you more than you expect.
References:
Besly Products--Robot-loaded
tap grinders programmed to respond to part number changes automatically
via menu-driven CNC. No separate inputs or adjustments required for robot
set-up.
Ford Motor Company--Power steering
worm grinders with auto loaders, as well as internal grinders for ball
nuts. Total of 21 machines grinding all the steering worms and ball nuts
for all Ford rear-wheel drives.
Delphi Saginaw--Additional
45 machines similar to installation at Ford. All rear-wheel drive GM and
Chrysler vehicles feature power steering components ground on a Drake.
L. S. Starrett--Total of 10 precision thread grinders
installed over the past eight years--holding 0.000,050" on lead error,
drunkenness and taper. If you measure with a Starrett micrometer, you
trust a Drake grinder.
Sealmaster Bearings--Two Heald
internal auto load grinders with special full-wheel plunge dress for bore
and track. Three inch wide wheel.
Hy-lift--Blind bore grinding,
auto load and unload, automated post process gaging--50 millionths process
capability, running over one million parts per machine over the last five
years.
Stanadyne--Same as above, adjusting
grind parameters after dress, 40 millionths capability, against a 700
millionths print tolerance. Consistently running with a grinding ratio
over 5,000.
For additional information on Drake philosophy
...
Drake in Tooling & Production
Magazine: Product Focus Leads Builder to Success
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