Precision Plastic Machining News from K&E Plastics

K&E Adds Haas® SL-20™ Lathe

K&E has added a Haas® SL-20™ Lathe to its arsenal of machining centers. The SL-20, with a max turning capacity of 10.3" x 20" and an 8.3" chuck, has a bar capacity of up to 2.0".

Haas high-performance turning centers also feature massive headstock castings with symmetric ribs for rigidity and thermal stability; on-the-fly wye-delta switching for peak performance throughout the rpm range; and embedded chip trays and high-volume coolant systems for efficient chip removal.

The Haas control features advanced tool management, single-button features, 15-inch color LCD monitor and a USB port. Haas has raised CNC turning to new levels of reliability, ease and productivity. Made in the USA.

New Haas® GR-510™ Gantry Router

K&E Plastics replaced its oldest gantry router with the Haas® GR-510™, featuring 121" x 61" x 11" travels and a powerful 40-taper milling head.

Its 15,000-rpm spindle and powerful 15-hp vector drive system provide the power and speed to cut all types of plastics. A 10-pocket automatic tool changer is standard.

The GR-510 provides a very stable platform for heavy cutting due to its rigid steel construction. The machine's 5' x 10' fixed table provides plenty of support for large and/or heavy sheet goods, from industrial laminates to polycarbonate and acrylics. The gantry assembly travels the full length of the table on heavy-duty linear guides for low friction and extreme accuracy. Powerful brushless servo motors and high-pitch ballscrews combine to produce rapids up to 2,100 inches-per-minute for reduced cycle times and customer cost savings.

The Haas GR-510 is fitted with a Vac-u-lok Vacuum table, allowing maximum flexibility for milling all sides of parts without troublesome clamp changes.

And, as always, Haas machines are made in the USA.

Optical Gaging Products SmartScope® Flash™ 500

K&E Brings Video Metrology to Quality Control

The OGP SmartScope® Flash™ 500 provides high precision video measurement with outstanding software control. K&E is adding this outstanding system to its arsenal of inspection equipment in the Quality Control department. The Flash™ 500 features a bridge-type support structure for optical stability. A working area of 20 x 18 x 8 (z-axis) inches, DC servo motors with 3-axis joystick control and superior 3D software for control.

K&E Installs Gabbiani Galaxy PLM 125 Panel Saw

One of K&E Plastics' more recent acquisitions is a Gabbiani Galaxy PLM 125 Panel Saw, one of a family of saws created specifically for the plastics industry. The saw can handle material up to 10-1/2 by 10-1/2 ft and thickness up to 4.9 inches.

The Galaxy 125 utilizes sophisticated gripper and pusher technology allowing for quick cycle times and precise cuts. This saw is controlled by advanced software that optimizes the use of material and maintains a database of cutting parameters both for different plastics as well as customer parts.

K&E Plastics Adds Haas (USA) Vertical Machining Centers

Our newest Haas – the Haas Super VF-2™ – is a solid vertical machining center built entirely from American-made cast iron components. It features 30" x 16" x 20" (762 x 406 x 508 mm) xyz travel.

The Haas Super VF-2™ is a reliable and accurate small-footprint VMC with a direct drive spindle driven to 12000 RPM by a 20 hp vector Dual-Drive (Y-Delta) motor. The high-speed tool changer has a 20-tool capacity. Like every Haas machine, the VF-2 represents years of ongoing refinement. It is a valuable component on the K&E shop room floor.

K&E also has a Haas VF-3 – with a 40 x 20 table capacity, 20-tool high-speed electronic tool changer and direct-drive 12.000-RPM spindle. It is a solid, fast machine that can turn out top quality part after part, meeting stringent tolerance demands.

K&E has also recently added 2 Haas Super Mini-Mills for efficient production of tight-tolerance smaller parts. These two capable workhorses feature 16 x 12 blank capacity, high-speed spindles and rapid tool changing.

Stockroom Addition

K&E has recently opened the doors to its new storage wing. By moving raw material and stock parts into this addition, we have cleared our work floor for more machines and better traffic flow, along with gaining more overall storage capacity.

High Tech Dust Collection

This is not your father's dust collector! K&E has updated our old bag-type dust collection system with a state-of-the-art, computerized, high-power cartridge filter system from United Air Specialists We machine some of the more abrasive materials such as GPO-3 fiberglass-reinforced polyester – Glastic® is a well-known brand -- and the industrial laminates like FR-4 (epoxy-glass), XX (phenolic-paper) and CE (phenolic-fabric) from Norplex-Micarta® and others. Because of these materials and our overall increase in machining capacity, we have replaced our old bag-type dust collector. View the K&E Case Study

Job Shop Software for K&E Plastics

K&E recently converted its database to the Shoptech E2 Job Shop software. This all-inclusive package covers everything from quoting to invoicing and includes real-time reporting from the shop floor. Over the next few months as we bring the different elements of the software “online” our customers should expect to see fewer and fewer hand-written faxes coming their way!

Croquet Markers for Sale

K&E's only consumer product was developed by its founder, a serious Croquet Player. These brightly colored, acrylic wicket markers are made with strong magnets which allow for easy on-off functionality. Available in sets of 4, solid or striped, the markers have received rave reviews from players all across the country. Club discounts are available.