Reducing the Effects of Chatter When Machining, Milling & Turning

Gosiger customers who choose Okuma CNC machine tools benefit from a great many proprietary functions that are built into many Okuma lathes, turning centers, multitasking machines, and machining centers. These functions are part of the company’s Intelligent Technology initiative to make machining faster, easier and more profitable. One of these is the Machining Navi system that reduces the affects of chatter by optimizing spindle speed for milling and machining, and by expanding the chatter-free zone in lathes.

For milling/machining applications, operators can choose from an automatic function (Machining Navi-i) or a manual mode (Machining Navi M-g). In the automatic mode, built-in sensors measure chatter vibration and the Okuma OSP controller then adjusts spindle speed for optimum performance.

Engaging Machining Navi-i is a simple 3-step process:

1. Enter the number of the cutting tool flutes, vibration threshold value and upper and lower spindle speeds into the OSP controller
2. Push the Machining Navi button
3. Turn the automatic control to the “ON” position

That’s all there is to it.

In manual operations, a microphone “hears” chatter noise and Machining Navi displays the best spindle speed options to compensate for the vibration. The operator can then select a recommended spindle speed and immediately see a display of the result. For turning machines, Machining Navi L-g suppresses chatter by adjusting spindle speeds to the ideal amplitude and wave cycle. This provides a wide chatter-free zone, while maintaining safe spindle speeds.

In some cases adjusting spindle speed may not completely resolve the machine chatter problem. In these cases adjusting other factors such as tool diameter, tool projection, clamp position or cutting depth may be necessary.

The applications specialists at Gosiger can explain more about how Machining Navi and other Intelligent Technology features can help you make high-quality parts while reducing cycle time, material waste and operator involvement.