Wood Division
Multilathe Systems
CMS' Multilathe system is a small, fixed bridge, CNC controlled machining center for wood. CMS' Multilathe system is appropriate for machining wood parts that might otherwise be tooled on a lathe, but need additional CNC controlled operations, accuracy or artistic work, like decorative carving. Multilathe is ideal for machining gun stocks and gun parts (or other parts that may be rotated between fixed points), and for hardware inletting operations. In addition to Multilathe's 5 CNC controlled axes, a 6th is also added, which inclines the cutting tool to the part surface for even more control with a higher quality surface finish.
Multilathe's vertically designed system means that it has a small footprint and can be integrated into small wood machining shops. Multilathe is a very compact unit, safely enclosed, with accessories that allow parts to be rotated while machining them, which simplifies the machining process. Each spindle has the ability to select from a rack holding 10 tools, meaning there can be a wide variety of machining techniques applied to one blank. Multilathe is also highly efficient, for example, it completes up to 4 gun stocks – including the surface shaping and inletting operations for hardware parts – in a total cycle time of 18 minutes or 4 ½ minutes per part without the need for special profile tools that require additional setup and testing. Other Multilathe applications include such varied items as kayak paddles or musical instruments.
Since each customer’s ultimate requirements are unique, CMS provides consultation to determine the best application of our extensive engineering and design solutions, or new technology to meet each customer’s requirement, just give us a call.
Multilathe - Machine
Router Multilathe (patented) - The productivity of a copying lathe combined with the flexibility and accuracy of a numerically-controlled machining center, getting rid of copying templates.
The revolutionary Router Multilathe is, as its name implies, both a 5 axis CNC controlled machining center and a lathe. Multilathe is uniquely suited to address the machining requirements for gun stocks, chairs, table legs and ‘carving’ operations. CMS’s over thirty-year-long experience in these fields has culminated in the Multilathe wood router solution, which combines all these specific production requirements into a single machine. Multilathe has joined the productivity of a copying lathe with the flexibility and accuracy of a numerically controlled machining center, with the added benefit of ridding the production process of copying templates and easily modifying the workpiece geometry as required. Multilathe's 5 interpolated axes allow the simultaneous machining of 4 workpieces without worrying their shape. The center-tailstock arrangement (one above the other) considerably reduces the side play and increases the machining ergonomics during the workpiece load/unload phases.
The Multilathe 5 axis router's 40-station tool crib (10 tools available for each spindle) and the CNC controlled distance between the head and tailstock centers provides great flexibility. Most importantly, the customer has the possibility to carry out all the turning and milling operations of large production batches with one only positioning, resulting in a cycle time and surface finish quality still unachievable by today’s more traditional machinery. The application of Multilathe's technology in the manufacturing of gunstocks and chair/table legs marks a turning point in the production of such products.
Multilathe's 5 axis CNC router technology means shorter cycle times, improved accuracy, and higher surface quality with a subsequent incredible reduction in sanding and polishing times.
A photo of the Multilathe System wood router showing its Vertical/Horizontal CNC machining center design
A photo of the Multilathe System small 5 axis CNC router before its protection enclosure system has been mounted showing its Vertical/Horizontal CNC machining center design.
Multilathe's machine base is a heavy, thick, electro-welded and stabilized steel construction providing a robust rigid structure. Within the fixed bridge area there are 4 CNC controlled and synchronized head/tailstock positions rotating throughout 360° in continuous fashion.
Multilathe's solution allows rigidity and precision as well as maximum accessibility to the workpieces to be machined, with an on-center distance between parts of 272 mm (10.71") and a length of from 1,000 mm (39.4") – to 300 mm (11.81").
Multilathe's heavy fixed bridge monobloc structure
A view of the Multilathe 5 axis router's heavy fixed bridge monobloc structure, showing part of its precision movement ballscrew system for the X axis. In addition, two of the access points for Multilathe's enclosed downdraft dust collection system can be seen.
Multilathe holding a gunstock
Multilathe 5 axis router is shown holding a gunstock between the CNC synchronously controlled head and tailstock units which provide the motion necessary to carry out the lathe turning operations. Multilathe's head and tailstock devices can be equipped with various part receivers as shown in this picture in order to best hold each part.
In addition the structure which holds the Multilathe wood router's 4 ATC heads is shown, which provides them with a special 6th axis inclination of the tool in respect of the part surface of -15°/+ 35°, which is very important to achieve the best surface milling conditions. The 4 ATC spindles have an on-center distance between them of 220 mm (8.66"). Each working spindle has a power of 12 kW, S1 rating at 10,000 rpm, maximum 24,000 rpm, liquid cooled, HSK 63/F connection.
Multilathe's 40-place tool rack
A shot of the Multilathe small 5 axis CNC router showing its 40-place tool-changing rack magazine. Each of Multilathe's 4 ATC heads is provided with a rack capable of holding 10 tools for each head and placed at the side of the working area in a dust-free enclosure. The tools are held in a double sided rack, in a 20 + 20 fashion, which is rotated pneumatically 180° for full access of all tools. The magazine houses tools with a maximum diameter of 80 mm (3.14"), and a length projecting 90 mm (3.54") from the collet.
Multilathe's attention to dust collection
Multilathe's attention to dust collection is shown here. When in production, the Multilathe wood router's safety doors are shut, which then encloses the work area and creates an effective downdraft in what is an otherwise unusually difficult condition in which to capture the dust and chips created during a 5 axis machining operation. In this photo a last adjustment is being made so that optimum dust collection is obtained.
Multilathe ready for production
A view of a completed Multilathe 5 axis router ready for production and holding 4 gunstocks.
Multilathe - Processing Walnut Gunstock
The Multilathe 5 axis router takes the several standard and manual processes of manufacturing and combines them into one highly efficient CNC controlled process. Where normally, for example, it would be necessary to place a number of gunstock blanks into a multiple spindle copying lathe and follow-up with a series of manual machines to take care of all the specific hardware requirements for each gunstock and its associated inletting operations, the Multilathe wood router makes it possible to fixture up 4 blanks and take care of all the machining operations required in one placement. There are no intermediate stocks of material at multiple machine locations, no possible handling damage, and no possible successive part loss through each operation. Multilathe reduces to a minimum the floor space needed, eliminates excess stock, avoids damage caused from handling, removes possible setup and machining errors and creates a machined surface that no longer needs excessive sanding operations to make it ready for the finishing room.
Here the Multilathe small 5 axis CNC router is presented in a quick set of photos showing it processing an American manufacturer's walnut gunstock.
Multilathe - initial machining
The Multilathe 5 axis router begins by fixturing up the blanks between the CNC controlled head and tailstock. A large ball end mill is being used and inclined at a specific angle to the surface to obtain the best possible surface finish. Because the Multilathe wood router has CNC control of the process, it is able to precisely create the desired surface shape at every point along the length of the gunstock, even though it's not following a traditional copy lathe template. At the same time, Multilathe is able to place the distance between these surface paths so closely, while rotating the part, that the part surface is almost finished with very little need of sanding when the machining cycle is done.
Multilathe progressing along the stock
Multilathe has progressed along the stock with its CNC controlled lathe processing operation and is now close the butt section of the gunstock. Notice the ball end mill and the smooth surface being created.
Multilathe taking care of fine detail milling
Multilathe wood router is shown with a small ball end mill taking care of some of the fine details on the gunstock surface along the bottom of the butt section.
Multilathe begins inletting operations
Following the CNC controlled surfacing operation, during the lathe portion of the cycle, the Multilathe 5 axis router begins to work on all of the inletting operations required for the various hardware parts on this gunstock.
Multilathe machining for the barrel
Multilathe is shown performing the required machining for the gunstock barrel.
Multilathe machining for firing mechanism
Multilathe is shown finishing up some of the last inletting operations required for the firing mechanism.
Multilathe machining the nose for the "break-away" end
As a last operation, the Multilathe small 5 axis CNC router takes care of machining at the nose of the gunstock. When this operation is finished, it will be possible to easily "break-away" the nub remaining on the end, lightly sand it, and have a perfect surface and one ready to go the finishing operation.
Multilathe - Laser Programming & Processing Gunstock
Multilathe also makes it easy to work with existing product. In this process overview, the Multilathe small 5 axis CNC router will take an existing gunstock and instead of requiring the engineering department to start from "scratch" and program this surface (or even worse there's no drawing or CAD data existing to define the surface), Multilathe will fixture up a 3D laser scanning device in its working spindle to obtain the "point cloud" information about the existing gunstock surface and the scanning software will then create the required surface program information. The scanning software can also export surface information in an "iges" file so that additional discreet machining paths can be added to the machining cycle for the required hardware inletting operations in a CAD/CAM program.
Multilathe 5 axis router using a 3D scanning device to create a program
In this photo Multilathe is shown with a 3D scanning device mounted in a working spindle. A basic program has been written for Multilathe instructing it to rotate the gunstock and move along its length at a particular rate of speed. During this process, the 3D scanning device is gathering the "point cloud" information. When this process is finished, the output from the scanning cycle is processed and ready to be used. The generated scan data is placed between the standard header and footer code for a typical program. As indicated previously, if desired, the "point cloud" information can be exported in an "iges" file format and opened in the appropriate CAD/CAM software and to this surface information machine paths can be added related to the required processes for hardware inletting operations, for example.
3D scanner being held in Multilathe's working spindle
In this photo the 3D scanner being held in Multilathe's working spindle is projecting a point of laser light. This point of light can be seen within the red circle in the photo. The 3D scanner shoots a large number of points each second which are reflected and read back as points of the gunstock's surface in space. When finished there is a complete "point cloud" of the entire gunstock which can be reviewed and extraneous and undesirable points can be "filtered out" without being incorporated in the final program.
A 3D visual model of the gunstock derived from the "point cloud"
Following the scanning of the gunstock, the scanning software creates a 3D visual model of the gunstock based on the "point cloud" information obtained during Multilathe's scanning cycle. Based upon this visual representation it's possible to accept or reject various points in the cloud to obtain the best final surface.
Four gunstock blanks ready to be machined
Four gunstock blanks are placed between Multilathe's CNC controlled head and tailstock. The blanks have been previously band sawn in nested pairs from larger blanks in order to achieve the most efficient material yield.
An initial sizing operation
Multilathe wood router carries out an initial sizing operation on the gunstock blank.
Additional inletting work and start of lathe cycle
Multilathe continued its machining cycle with other various inletting operations and begins its lathe process.
Multilathe completing the surface work
The Multilathe 5 axis router has completed most of the surfacing work now in the lathe cycle with its large ball end mill which is inclined at a specific angle leaving a smooth surface ready for some light hand sanding just prior to heading over to the finishing room.
Multilathe - Processing Chair Leg
The Multilathe small 5 axis CNC router has a range of applications beyond gunstocks, including chair legs, hammer handles, carved spindles, finials, paddles and many other items which can be placed between a head and tailstock arrangement as is done on a traditional multiple spindle lathe/carving machine. In addition it really performs when it comes to combining multiple operations that previously had to be done manually and on a series of other machines: drilling, boring, slotting, routing and carving operations, which require a series of special ball end mills and profiled bits. The Multilathe System wood router not only handles all of these operations during its one machining cycle, but it does so with precision, speed, in various lot sizes... machining operations completed.
Multilathe processes chair leg blanks
In this photo the Multilathe wood router is loaded with 4 solid wood chair leg blanks. As in the case of a gunstock, Multilathe begins with a large ball end cutter which has been inclined at a specific angle using Multilathe's 6th axis to obtain a high surface finish quality. Though this part is very oddly shaped with no straight lines, Multilathe makes quick, easy work of bringing it into a precise, final shape completing the roughing and finishing operations in one pass.
Close-up view of the chair leg milling
A closer view of Multilathe performing the CNC controlled lathe work on the chair leg.
Approaching the end of the lathe process
A view as the Multilathe 5 axis router comes close to the end of the lathe process over the length of the leg. Notice that even though the chair leg is virtually without a straight flat surface, Multilathe has prepared a flat surface where the chair rail will ultimately connect, while all the time this curved chair leg is being rotated in space.
Multilathe machines for joint connections
Before boring this hole, which will receive a spindle part, Multilathe had just finished machining a slot on the flat surface, which will receive a chair rail part.
Some decorative carving finishes off the leg
As a last operation, Multilathe has rotated the curved leg and is adding some decorative carving at the foot.
The finished leg
A view of the finished leg giving an idea of its curved surfaces, slots, holes and carving.
Multilathe - Spindles & Automatic Tool Changing
Multilathe's processing capability is powered by CMS' robust ATC spindles. The Multilathe 5 axis CNC router is designed with 4 ATC spindles rigidly mounted in a dense pack arrangement, in addition the pack movement has a 6th axis for the inclination of the spindle shaft in relation to the work surface to obtain an even higher level of surface quality.
The ATC electrospindle is designed with a compact shape and a strong shaft on which two pairs of pre-loaded high performance bearings are mounted for high rotating speeds and long life. Multilathe's ATC offers high reliability, having all of its mechanical components ground and its rotational parts dynamically balanced. The working spindle has a power of 12 kW (16 hp) at 10,000 rpm (S1 rating), maximum 24,000 rpm, with HSK 63F connection and is liquid cooled with its own closed loop pumping system and powered by a static frequency converter, which continuously regulates the spindle speed from 1,000 to 24,000 rpm as well as its rotational direction.
To this Multilathe's ATC unit is combined with a compact and easily accessible 10-place tool rack for each spindle for a total of 40 tools.
Multilathe's 4 spindle ATC working group
A view from the side of the Multilathe wood router's 4 spindle ATC working group. Each of these powerful ATC units has a 12 kW (16 hp) S1 rating at 10,000 rpm and a maximum 24,000 rpm. Multilathe's powerful working units make easy work of demanding milling and routing operations.
A shot of Multilathe's ATC group inclined toward the tailstock under CNC control
A frontal view of Multilathe 5 axis router showing its 4 ATC spindles each holding a large diameter ball end mill. This photo shows that the group has been inclined toward the tailstock under CNC control, as needed during the machining cycle, which makes it possible to obtain the optimum surface finish.
Multilathe's ATC group inclined toward the headstock
This photo shows Multilathe's ATC group now inclined toward the headstock under CNC control. Multilathe's flexibility to use its cutting tools as needed during the machining cycle results in the best possible surface finish.
Multilathe's unique tool holding rack
A close-up shot of the Multilathe 5 axis router's unique tool storage rack, which is enclosed in a dust free area and easily accessible for tool changes. Each ATC spindle has a selection of 10 tools. The rack is pneumatically rotated under CNC control.
Multilathe's dust containment and collection
Multilathe's tool storage is located in a dust free enclosure to the left of the machine. In addition, the Multilathe wood router covers its moving system at the bottom with telescopic shields which are angled into one of Multilathe's dust collection points, which in this case is part of its efficient downdraft system.
Multilathe - Examples
Multilathe's design combining lathe, milling, carving, and machining operations into one compact, highly productive work cell uniquely suited for high volume or batch quantity production, means that up to 4 parts can be placed between its CNC controlled head and tailstock and completed in just one placement. The following photos show some of Multilathe's range and abilities.
Multilathe for gunstocks
The Multilathe small 5 axis CNC router gives gunstock manufacturers unique abilities to combine all their machining operations into one highly efficient work cell. Multilathe not only does the lathe work superbly, but the inletting work precisely.
Multilathe for ball and claw legs
Multilathe can fixture up the traditional ball and claw leg, producing an elegant smooth flowing surface shape, while at the same time taking care of the carving on that surface.
Multilathe for staircase spindles
The Multilathe wood router easily handles the fluting and routing operations for staircase posts, balusters or spindles and is an ideal application of its wide range of abilities.
Multilathe for chair parts
Multilathe 5 axis router is perfectly adapted for chair parts and their demanding range of shapes and joinery operations. In addition to creating beautiful flowing surface shapes, Multilathe can add carving detail to highlight a part's distinctive character.
Multilathe faithful to reproduce surface character
Multilathe's ability to reproduce strong surface detail and definition is one of its strength, to which is added its ability to handle a wide range of machining tasks.
Multilathe executing internal surface detail
The Multilathe small 5 axis CNC router brings out the beauty of this design with crisp surface detail, which includes not only the surface but the detail in this striking internal shape.
Multilathe putting project elements together
Multilathe takes care of project details ensuring that parts go together.