The Adams Company, a custom gear and shaft manufacturing company located in Dubuque, Iowa, recently announced the delivery of a new Okuma LU4000 EX turning machine. This state-of-the-art shaft-turning machine will greatly increase the Adams Company’s capabilities and capacity in shaft manufacturing.
The machine’s features include 4-axis movement, upper and lower turrets, a retractable tailstock, 2-meter bed length, maximum 158.75 mm diameter turning capacity, live tooling and y-axis functionality, and the capability of holding a +/-.00025" tolerance. Additional unique features with this machine include a self-centering chuck and balanced cutting or “pinch turning.” With pinch turning, cycle times are reduced and “chatter” is eliminated during the machining process. The specialized workholding will allow the Adams Company to finish shafts without having to move them to multiple work centers.
“The goal was to find a machine that would enable us to make complete shafts with keyways, splines, and holes in one operation,” said Steve Arthur, president and CEO of the Adams Company. “The machine had to produce shafts fast while holding some tight tolerances. It was a tough challenge, but Okuma hit a home run with the LU4000 EX.”
According to Arthur, the Okuma machine enables the Adams Company to increase productivity with its current customers.
“The Hartwig team has worked closely with the Adams Company for several years, and we knew that addressing their shaft manufacturing was a big priority,” said Jay Montgomery, a sales engineer at Hartwig, Inc., the company representing Okuma. “We sat down with the team at the Adams Company, and together we created an entire process, not just a machine tool. With the LU4000 EX machine, we proposed some unique features that allow them to take full advantage of their investment. The Adams Company will now have state-of-the-art shaft turning capabilities that will make them globally competitive in shaft manufacturing. It’s exciting to have truly world-class technology and manufacturing capabilities coming to Eastern Iowa. Their investment is a huge win for them and their customers.”
For more information: theadamscompany.com
