Titanus Slew Rings buys huge DMG MORI machining center

Recently installed is a high-speed 5-axis DMU 340 P machining center.

Today’s manufacturing customer demands world class precision tooling and exceptional customer service, says Titanus Slew Rings (TSR), formerly known as Titanus Engineering, who says it is perfectly positioned to deliver those requirements to customers from its facility in Meadowdale, Isando, Gauteng.

TSR has recently installed an innovative, high-speed 5-axis machining center, a DMU 340 P manufactured by DMG MORI, the first of its kind in South Africa.

TSR Director Marco Casagrande says the DMU 340 is the focal point of the company’s recent capital investment plan propelling the company forward in an increasingly competitive global market: “It helps us deliver outstanding accuracy and superior speed to clients that have applications in minerals processing and bulk material handling, energy, telecommunications, liquid solid separation process equipment, forestry, steel foundries, transport, marine applications, theme parks and entertainments and general engineering industries. The DMU 340 is a key piece of a significant capital investment plan.”

TSR has recently installed an innovative, high-speed 5-axis machining center, a DMU 340 P manufactured by DMG MORI, the first of its kind in South Africa

“The DMU 340’s massive 3 400mm diameter table can easily handle metal blocks weighing up to 20 000kg and the machine, which can both cut and measure, completes the cutting from the top down in one setting, eliminating the need to reposition and reset the piece during production,” explained Casagrande.

“What takes 48 hours with a 3-axis machine is completed in 24 hours with the DMU 340. Increased speed also comes with improved accuracy. Older models simply can’t perform like the new machine which builds to an incredibly fine detail,” Casagrande added.

“The DMU 340 P enables complete machining operations for milling and turning in one setup with the DirectDrive table that has a torque of up to 10 200Nm.”

“We at TSR believe it is fundamental to embrace new technology in order to remain competitive and relevant in our field of precision engineering. In 2017 we invested in a new DMG MORI DMU 210 P 5-axis milling machine with gearMILL software. The Deckel Maho DMU 210 P gave us the capability to perform 5-axis simultaneous machining of components to the highest level of precision,” said Director Marco Casagrande.

The size of the machine is depicted with two Retecon service engineers standing inside it

“The DMU 210 P provides its users with significant added value as regards to optics due to the huge viewing panels of the new DMG design, an optimised work area on the XYZ that measures 2 100mm x 2 100mm x 1 250mm, an integrated motor spindle (HSK100) of 12 000rpm, rapid traverse speeds for the XYZ of 60/40/40m/min, a 60 pocket tool changer, 5-axes simultaneous processing through a Heidenhain TC 640 control, a NC-rotary table with controlled B-axis, thermo-symmetrical construction, as well as 3-point support for quick installation, gantry design with vertically traversable crossbeam with hydraulic weight compensation for high precision and dynamics, short and continuous throat depth of the milling head (not plunger construction) and B-axis with improved interference contour and built-in cable track.”

“Where component weight is concerned, we are talking about machining components up to8 000 kilograms.”

Bigger machine, bigger workpieces“TSR is growing and this very significant capital investment further expands our ability to partner with our customers and better serve their needs. This vital investment in advanced technology increases our exports, increases sales and creates jobs. It helps us structure our business and properly prepares us for the next step in our growth.”

Workpiece“We can now machine a component with a maximum workpiece diameter of 3 900mm, a maximum workpiece height of 1 960mm and as previously said a weight of 20 000kgs. The work area XYZ axis is 3 400mm by 3 400mm by 2 000mm.”

“The bridge-type, 5-sided/5-axis DMU portal series models are large, employ a stable, bridge-type structure to achieve high accuracy and dynamic performance and comes with a NC rotary table as standard. Machining which used to be done with multiple machines now can now be performed on one machine, achieving space saving and reduction in capital investment costs.”

Strategic decisionsTSR was founded in 1975 by Renato Casagrande as a general engineering concern. In 1985 a strategic decision was taken to focus and further specialise the company’s production facilities towards the manufacture and reconditioning of slew bearings. The company was renamed Titanus Slew Rings (TSR) and moved to a facility in Meadowdale, Isando.

TSR can now machine a component with a maximum workpiece diameter of 3 900mm, a maximum workpiece height of 1 960mm and a weight of 20 000kgs. The work area XYZ axis is 3 400mm by 3 400mm by 2 000mm

Slewing bearings are widely used on many types of machinery for a variety of industries. Slewing bearings can accommodate axial, radial and moment loads. They are typically used in hoists, stackers, reclaimers, shiploaders, rock crushers, pelletising mills, excavators, amusement park rides, vehicle turntables and displays, truck-mounted cranes, tower cranes, and solar panels, as well as in rotating bridges. The slew bearing drives in heavy machinery enable higher torque, speed reduction and rotational functions.

The company took another strategic decision in 2013 when it was selected by the SKA Organisation, as a local manufacturing partner to supply slew bearings for 63 of the 64 antenna positioners for the South African MeerKAT radio telescope, which form an integral part of the project.

This involved moving into a new 12 000m² under roof, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Tunney, Elandsfontein. The facility was purpose built to suit production workflow requirements.

The machine was installed by Retecon.

For more information contact Titanus Slew Rings on TEL: 087 310 2880 or visit www.tsr.co.za