When granite started to become de rigueur for domestic and commercial kitchen worktops and serveries across the UK in the 1990s it was Intermac CNC workcentres that led the way in automating the stonemasonry workshops that were producing them. There have been many developments in Intermac’s machines since then and this month we look at some of the latest incorporated into the newest machine in their range, the Intermac Master 30
Main features of the Intermac Master 30 CNC workcentre
General: Intermac have been producing CNC machines for the stone industry for 21 years. Production, based in Pesaro, Italy, takes place in a clean, modern 20,000m2 facility. The latest machine to enter the range is the Master 30 CNC, a machine specifically created to give stone and granite companies the opportunity to purchase directly from one of the industry’s market leaders with comprehensive service and support based in the UK at a reasonable price in these highly competitive times.
Capabilities: The machine is able to mill, drill, edge and engrave all materials including synthetics. High quality recess drain areas can be created automatically. Granite worktops, shower trays and fireplaces are easily processed.
Physical Configuration: The master 30 has overall dimensions 6.9m x 3.3m. This gives a smaller footprint than its big brother, the Master 33, but means it still has the ability to process a piece of stone 3080mm x 1620mm. The working area is fully enclosed with sliding front doors, to give absolute protection to the operator as well as reducing noise. There is automatic machinery shut-down if the doors are opened during processing. Many parts of the solid base and beam structure are made at Intermac’s factory in Italy, ensuring strength, rigidity and accuracy.
Work Surface: The working bed is constructed in aluminium, mounted on a steel sub-base and surface ground when the machine is installed to give an absolutely flat surface to work on.
Tool Handling: The machine can be equipped with 24 tool holding positions. Automatic tool measurement is optional and polishing quality is assured by the automatic adjustment of the diameter of the polishing wheels by a feedback system from the spindle. Tool cones are standard ISO 40.
Motor: Spindle power is 15kW, capable of a maximum speed of 12,000rpm. Cooling as standard is by internal and external water flow. The spindle bearings are ceramic which ensures long life at high speeds. The spindle clamping mechanism is pneumatic and a new feature on the Master series is the ability to replace the clamping mechanism of the spindle without having to replace the entire unit.
Work Head: Three axes machine as standard but there is the option to fix gearboxes to the head which allow polished drainer flutes and saw facility in linear movements in the X and Y axes only. Also optional is a tilting head facility for the production of inclined recess drains. These additional options are fully automatically controlled.
Control: The machine is fully controlled from a PC running Windows. The PC not only controls the movement of the axes of the machine, it also allows CAD-CAM programming to be carried out on the same PC. This results in increased efficiency as the operator can be preparing the next job for the Master 30 while the machine is carrying out the current work. Software is Intermac’s own Icam system, developed in-house by their own programmers. Time saving functions include the option to store common sink profiles within a library. They can be cut-and-pasted on to a workpiece during the drawing stage. A comprehensive training package is included with the machine and is carried out by Intermac UK’s own team of technicians.
Price: The master 30 is competitively priced while retaining all the build quality and technical strength customers expect from Intermac with the additional benefit of being supported by a UK-based subsidiary with a large, highly trained team of engineers and a well stocked spares and tooling division.
Further information: In the UK contact Darren Bill on 07748 114849. Email darren.bill@biesse.co.uk
In Ireland contact Derek Byrne on 086 809 6634. Email derekjbyrne@eircom.net