The vertical machining centre that machined your phone screen

Have you ever wondered how the glass of your mobile phone is made? At Ferrotall we have the technology that makes it possible for your devices to have such tough glass, which has become a worldwide standard. The ultrasonic vertical machining centre from our represented brand Tongtai, the VU-5 model, takes care of this job.

Among the applications this machining centre can handle are the machining of glass, sapphire, silicon carbide, quartz, ceramics, hardened steel, high-nickel alloys and non-ferrous materials. Any material that is softer than the cutting tool can be ultrasonically assisted. Rotary ultrasonic machining combines high-speed spindle rotation with high-frequency vertical vibration of the cutting tool. The diamond tool strikes the material at high contact speed, which reduces cutting force and produces ultra-fine finishes, making cutting 3 to 5 times more efficient than conventional machining.

The VU-5 is a compact, precise machine that will exceed the demands of any manufacturer with high-precision machining needs. Its compact design takes up very little floor space, and warm-up time is minimal, so it will deliver more parts per hour than the competition. The machine has a fixed-column / moving-table design. It features a Meehanite cast iron structure and roller-type linear guideways for greater rigidity and faster, more accurate movement. The 25 mm (1") ball screws are class 3 with a pre-tensioned double-nut design, allowing a standard rapid traverse of 48 metres per minute on all axes with an acceleration of 1.2 G.

The ABS (Absolute Pulse Coder) servo system does not require an absolute zero. The machine can be started at any time from any position, saving non-productive time. A chip-flushing system fitted as standard ensures efficient chip removal.

The VU-5 is equipped with a 30-position, double-arm random automatic tool changer. The double-arm tool changer offers high-speed changes, swapping tools in just 0.8 seconds and 1.3 seconds chip to chip. The 3 HP, 24,000 rpm direct-drive spindle comes as standard with a Big Plus 30 (BBT-30) dual-contact taper. The machine is also prepared for through-tool coolant and has a cooled spindle head.

For ultrasonic operation, the VU-5 is fitted as standard with a system that automatically searches for the optimum frequency and locks it via M codes. The automatic tuning range is 15 to 45 kHz. The amplitude range is 1 to 10 microns. The machine also comes with a wide range of standard accessories for successful ultrasonic machining and a long machine life.

The 3-axis machine is equipped with a Siemens 828D control with a 10.4" TFT screen, ShopMill and Advanced Surface. The 5-axis version is equipped with a Siemens 840D control with a 15" monitor, the Sinumerik MDynamics technology package for 5-axis milling, and ShopMill.

To see some of the other capabilities of the Tongtai machining centre, here is the machine machining an iWatch case.

https://youtu.be/pZG7qpqG-2Q