Severe machine crashes seem to be inevitable, but now, when they happen, shops can replace only the damaged segments of a vertical machining center’s tool disk instead of the whole carousel-type disk. What makes this possible is a retrofitted CMI Segmented Tool Disk from Clarklake Machine Inc.
Often, after crashes due to accidents, machine malfunctions, operator errors or taper locks caused by debris or heat, operators must replace a machine’s entire one-piece stock tool disk. The CMI tool disk, made for Haas VF-Series CAT-40 20- tool machining centers, incorporates individual segments that are attached to a base plate and are replaceable.
The tool disk is made of precision-machined 6061-T6 billet aluminum. If the segmented disk becomes damaged, only the effected segments are replaced. Preassembled, the 21-piece unit has 20 segmented tool pockets and one base plate. This is also a “green” technology that helps reduce the overall carbon footprint of high-tech CNC equipment.
