New YASDA YMC 430 Ver. II is Ideal for Accurate Hard / Micro Milling of Dies & Molds, Complex Components.

Sudbury, MA, U.S.A. (November 6, 2014) – Methods Machine Tools, Inc., (Leading Edge Precision Machine Tools | Methods Machine Tools) a leading supplier of innovative precision machine tools, automation and accessories, has announced the introduction of the YASDA YMC 430 Ver. II, a new Micro Machining Center that is ideal for the ultra-precise manufacturing and high surface finishes required on small, complex features in components and dies / molds in industries such as medical and semi-conductor. Linear motor-driven controlled axes and a highly rigid machine structure offer users the highest speed, precision and surface quality machining in its class. The YASDA Micro Center YMC 430 Ver. II has a high-speed 40,000 RPM spindle and is available with 3-Axis or 5-Axis capabilities. (Methods Machine Tools - Machines - Yasda - Micro Centers)

"We are very pleased to offer our customers who manufacture molds and components with challenging, micro-sized angles and geometry with a hard milling solution from YASDA, the ultimate precision machine manufacturer," said Mr. Steve Previti, YASDA Product Manager. "A highly rigid symmetric frame design and unique thermal distortion stabilizing system provide consistency and repeatability, to assure users unsurpassed high accuracy." Linear positioning and circularity accuracy of less than one micron (according to ISO 230-2 1997) is achieved.

The HSK-E32 spindle on the YMC 430 Ver. II is designed and manufactured by YASDA to minimize vibration and offer high reliability and repeatability in micro milling applications, including roughing to finishing on hardened steel and other exceptionally hard materials. A symmetrical H-shaped column and a low center of gravity structure provide high rigidity to the YMC 430 Ver. II machine structure.

The YMC 430 X-Y table has linear guideways and a linear motor drive, enabling highly precise machining and excellent vibration dampening. Linear motor drives include optical scales that support and sustain submicron milling performance.

In the optional 5-Axis micro milling capability, the YMC 430 is equipped with a direct drive motor-driven, high-precision tilting rotary table. This combination provides multi-face indexing and machining as well as simultaneous 5-Axis machining without re-chucking. Applying the direct drive motor to a tilted and rotary axis creates backlash-free, high-speed, high-precision positioning.

The YASDA Micro Center YMC 430 Ver. II has X,Y,Z travels of 16.5" x 11.8" x 9.8" (420 mm x 300 mm x 250 mm), respectively. The table work surface measures 23.6" x 13.8" (600 mm x 350 mm). An automatic tool changer holds 32 tools and is available in a 90-tool, large-capacity configuration. The powerful, FANUC 31i-Model B5 control is furnished standard.

- To View a Video, Please Go To Yasda YMC430 RT10 - YouTube.
- For YASDA Micro Center YMC 430 Ver. II Application Examples, Please See Page #3.

In 2013, Methods announced their new partnership with YASDA , the premier Japanese builder of machining centers and jig borers with a reputation of preeminence in accuracy, precision and quality. In order to ensure the utmost in quality and precision, YASDA Precision uses only YASDA machines to build their own machine tools. With meticulously hand-scraped surfaces and superior machine construction, YASDA's extremely high precision stands alone. Methods represents YASDA across the U.S. and will be bringing local application, sales & support expertise to YASDA customers.

Methods Machine Tools, Inc. has been a leading supplier of precision machine tools, automation and accessories for over 55 years, providing extensive applications engineering support, installation, parts, service, and training through a network of large state-of-the-art technology centers and dealers throughout North America. For more information, please contact Methods at 65 Union Avenue, Sudbury, MA 01776, TEL: (978) 443-5388, FAX: (978) 440-9405, Email: [email protected] or visit their website at Leading Edge Precision Machine Tools | Methods Machine Tools.
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YASDA Micro Milling Center YMC 430 Ver. II Application Examples


1. LED molds
LED molds for IT industries are one of the most demanding micro milling applications. Mold makers must achieve surface roughness to Ra 20nm. In one example, each die block is made of more than 300 cavities and machining time takes over 60 hours. The YMC 430 mills for this long cycle time to produce high quality surface finishing on LED molds .


2. Lamp mold
Mold for plastic lens requires an approximate Ra of 50nm on STAVAX equivalent steel. Its form is larger than the LED mold (example above) and also requires rough milling capability against hardened steel. YMC 430 demonstrated its versatile milling capacity, providing stable machining and high finish accuracy.


In a lens mold, or in plastic injection molding for medical purposes, mold base accuracies are extremely tight. In one example, pitch accuracy of the holes within ±1μm is required. Depending on the depth of the holes on the base plate where square end mills are required, the YMC 430 achieves dimensional accuracy within ±1μm, equivalent to a jig grinding and boring process.




3. Punches: hardened steel / cemented carbide
The YASDA RT10 tilting rotary table helps to finish hardened punch dies in one chucking, with the highest 5-axis milling accuracy available. By tilting the work pieces and synchronizing the tilting / rotations with linear motions without any backlash, it is possible to use shorter lengths of cutters to enable cutting rigidity and to help machine tiny corners and complicated forms on the dies. Using diamond cutters, it is possible to mill and finish small cemented carbide dies and molds.