Fast Machine Leveling and Alignment

As an editor for Modern Machine Shop, I’m exposed to plenty of nifty products. Although some catch my eye more than others, the reason isn’t always related to the product’s technological sophistication or even its impact on the machining process.

I find it particularly gratifying to discover innovations aimed at challenging procedures that have become so routine as to leave manufacturers utterly blind to different, potentially better ways of doing things.

Consider the device shown below. Known Tru-Lign and available from Y3DE, this system is designed to speed the process of leveling and aligning any machine tool, whether a new installation, a migrant from another area of the facility or a temporary display model.I’d never considered another way outside of the typical trial-and-error adjustments required with multiple, mechanically actuated jacks. Judging from the few times I’ve seen alignment and leveling happening in the field, the case is the same for at least some manufacturers and machine tool distributors. Yet, Tru-Lign reportedly offers the potential to move one, all or any combination of jacks simultaneously at the touch of a button to achieve final position within +/- 0.0005 inch quickly and easily.

I came across Tru-Lign at an Okuma open house event this past December. Most of the big highlights of that event—and the focus of my subsequent coverage—involved topics like additive manufacturing and “the industrial internet of things.” Yet, for all its (well-placed) focus on the leading edge of manufacturing technology, the machine tool builder still searches for new efficiencies in processes as routine and commonplace as basic machine tool setup. That’s a lesson that’s well worth taking to heart.

 

According to Y3DE representatives, the system helped Okuma get this LOC 650 turning center leveled, aligned and engaged in its first test cut for an open house event in a little over an hour.