Sentry Equipment Testimonial

“We use the FlexCNC for two very specific uses, one of which we had an old machine for and another that we use to do by hand. The main use of our machine is flowdrilling (watch a flowdrilling demo here) and form-tapping multiple ½” to ¾” NPT holes in 2” schedule 40 304 stainless pipe. These pipes are anywhere from 6 to 20 feet long. The machine is absolutely perfect for this. We used to use a drill press, which required moving and refixturing the pipe for each hole. Not only did this introduce error, but the feeds on the machine were manually operated, so the holes did not all turn out the same.

We knew there had to be a better method to make this product, but most of the machines on the market were overkill or too small. The FlexCNC VMC was justified on these 2” pipes alone, everything else we have added is just extra icing on the cake. Another frequent use of the machine is flowdrilling and form-tapping ¾” NPT holes in 1/2 “ carbon steel plate. We more recently have started to use the machine for circle milling 1-3” diameter holes in larger diameter carbon steel pipe. This used to be done by hand with hole saws. Not only did this take quadruple the time, but was inaccurate and left a significantly inferior edge quality. We are always finding new uses for the machine that we never anticipated, which continues to make it an indispensable resource on our factory floor.

As for reliability and quality, we have had nearly zero issues. Any issue we have had has been fixed in a very timely manner. We did have one of the first machines in the USA, so that is saying something. Simply put, the machine paid for itself in the first two years of ownership by producing just one specific product. It has become an essential machine in our plant and continues to be utilized for more operations and products.”

Peter Tishler, CMfgE 

Manufacturing Engineer II

Employee-Owner

Sentry Equipment

https://sentry-equip.com/

 

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Standard Features

  • Hand Pendant
  • 22″ Touch Screen Monitor
  • Omron FlexCNC Controller
  • Mobile Control Panel
  • Through Spindle Coolant 
  • Auto Tool Changer 
  • Flood Coolant
HP
Max RPM
FT/LBS
Series

18

4000

92

C-20-02 / C-10-02

18

6000

61

C-20-02 / C-10-02

33

12000

61

CM-20-02

Auto Stand-Off – This is currently defined to be surface stand-off and not to be confused with vector stand-off in 5-axis mode. The current auto stand-off is based on a changing surface and will adjust vertically based on the angle of the “A” Axis, so there is five (5) axis taken into account during the calculations, but this is not the same as the tool vector stand-off. There is the ability to do the vector stand-off change while the machine is running manually with buttons on the screen.

Z-Reader Probe – The Z-Reader is a device for mapping the location of the surface. It can be controlled manually & programmatically. The option is NOT active while cutting & is retracted out of harm’s way. It can be triggered to verify the surface at every pierce before the cutting process starts, or it could be used to drive surface mapping of the whole part before cutting starts. It begins with initialization or zeroing of the device to the surface at the beginning of a program and then accumulates or tracks the difference from that zeroing effort.

Automatic Edge Finder – The edge finder is or can be utilized manually (Jogging Method & Screen Buttons), programmatically (M & G codes), or fully automatic routine (dedicated program). This option sets offsets & program rotation to match the orientation & location on the cutting table.

AC Unit Installed on Electrical Cabinet – The unit is mounted on the cabinet’s High Power (480v) side. It is close to the location where the drives are mounted. This option keeps the cabinet temperature stable and allows heat dissipation faster. The servo drives for all axes are the most significant contributors to heat inside the electrical cabinet.

5-Axis Renishaw CalibrationThe calibration unit is a Renishaw model APCA45 with a modified spherical stylus. The device has a retractable cover and air purge to clear debris & dust during the activation process. It mounts to a swing arm controlled by a pneumatic rotary, so it is out of the way during regular operation and swings into the calibration position for calibration only. 

HP
Max RPM
FT/LBS
Series

18

4000

92

G-20-06 / G-10-06

18

6000

61

G-20-06 / -10-06

40

4000

217

GM-20-06 / G-20-06 / G-10-06

40

6000

145

G-20-06 / G-20-06 / G-10-06