The versatility of the SNC64 suits PPI’s manufacturing needs. One key step in the lean discovery process for PPI was to look at EDMing versus milling of dies and molds. And, the Makino SNC64 provided a unique solution, according to PPI President Ron Pleasant.

“A versatile graphite milling machine like the Makino SNC64 is compact and mobile. Setting it onto the shop floor in an unusual place or shoe-horning it into a small area is easy as you continuously re-arrange equipment to meet required work group flows. That is the key to lean manufacturing. And, while we are believers in developing concrete pads to secure our machines, the stability and three-point leveling of Makino free standing machines makes them vital to manufacturing lean.”

“PPI has two SNC64s, one which mills graphite only and the newest one which is a faster and more versatile machine,” says Pleasant. “Due to the types of molds we build, we do a lot of graphite milling of electrodes and multiple electrode setups. We needed to purchase a machine that performed this function well in order to eliminate the backlog problems that we were having with our former process. We realized just how far behind we had slipped in EDM machining.

“We turn the Makino SNC64 machines loose and let them run, frequently running unattended through the night. Depending upon planning, if an electrode needs to be cut in a very short period of time, we let the new machine do the work because it cuts faster then the old electrode-cutting machine. Yet, the older SNC64 still cuts 10-times faster than any other CNC piece of equipment in our shop.”

PPI notes their measurements show that the new SNC64G/S with Super Geometric Intelligence 3 (SGI.3) software is approximately 50 percent faster than the older SNC64—which has the original Super GI control—though Makino only estimates a 30 percent improvement. With certain programs, PPI notes the new SNC64G/S has reached a peak performance increase of 300 percent.

Pleasant adds that the new SNC64G/S also allows PPI the flexibility of going back and forth from cutting electrodes to actually milling steel dies and molds. “With the high-speed head providing 30,000 rpm, the SNC64G/S and its fast feed rate can produce fine detail milling with a small tool for great three-dimensional milling. It cuts better than many horizontal or vertical machines on the market. This is something we often need, and the versatility of the SNC64G/S has saved us a great deal of expense in that we have not had to invest in a larger machining center. The SNC64G/S fills both roles for us.”

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