Makino
Encyclopedia
Makino is a global machine tool
manufacturer.
, developing Japan's first numerically controlled
(NC) milling machine
in 1958 and Japan's first machining center
in 1966.
The North American branch of Makino was formed through the 1981 merger of the R. K. LeBlond Machine Tool Company
of Cincinnati and the Makino Milling Machine Company of Japan
. Resulting from the merger was the formation of what was then called "LeBlond Makino Machine Tool Company".
In 1996, LeBlond Makino became Makino, and in 1997 LeBlond Lathe Ltd. was formed as a parts and servicing subsidiary.
The company developed the first drop-tank design wire EDM
in 1994, and HQSF (High-Quality Surface Finish) technology with patented uSc additive in 1996, increasing the ability to finish parts without hand polishing when using a Ram EDM. In 2003, Makino developed the first conventional horizontal wire EDM that automatically threads and machines with a 0.02mm diameter wire.
In 2006, the company developed High Energy Applied Technology (HEAT) for wire EDMs to increase speed in wire EDMing, and released the EDAC1 micro EDM Ram machine. Makino is also the only manufacturer of a horizontal wire EDM, the UPJ-2. In 2007, Makino introduced SurfaceWIZARD wire EDM technology, designed to eliminate witness lines in stepped parts.
Machine tool
A machine tool is a machine, typically powered other than by human muscle , used to make manufactured parts in various ways that include cutting or certain other kinds of deformation...
manufacturer.
History
Makino was established in 1937 by Tsunezo Makino in JapanJapan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, developing Japan's first numerically controlled
Numerical control
Numerical control refers to the automation of machine tools that are operated by abstractly programmed commands encoded on a storage medium, as opposed to controlled manually via handwheels or levers, or mechanically automated via cams alone...
(NC) milling machine
Milling machine
A milling machine is a machine tool used to machine solid materials. Milling machines are often classed in two basic forms, horizontal and vertical, which refers to the orientation of the main spindle. Both types range in size from small, bench-mounted devices to room-sized machines...
in 1958 and Japan's first machining center
Milling machine
A milling machine is a machine tool used to machine solid materials. Milling machines are often classed in two basic forms, horizontal and vertical, which refers to the orientation of the main spindle. Both types range in size from small, bench-mounted devices to room-sized machines...
in 1966.
The North American branch of Makino was formed through the 1981 merger of the R. K. LeBlond Machine Tool Company
R. K. LeBlond Machine Tool Company
In 1887, R. K. LeBlond founded the R. K. LeBlond Machine Tool Company to manufacture metal cutting lathes. As a result of a joint venture with Makino Milling Machine, LeBlond Makino Machine Tool Company was formed in 1981. In 1996, LeBlond Makino Machine Tool Company changed its name to Makino...
of Cincinnati and the Makino Milling Machine Company of Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. Resulting from the merger was the formation of what was then called "LeBlond Makino Machine Tool Company".
In 1996, LeBlond Makino became Makino, and in 1997 LeBlond Lathe Ltd. was formed as a parts and servicing subsidiary.
Innovations
In 1984, Makino developed the first high-speed spindle. In 1990, Makino introduced Super Geometric Intelligence, the first servo-control software to provide higher machining speed, and Flush Fine machining, a method for cutting hardened materials.The company developed the first drop-tank design wire EDM
Electrical discharge machining
Electric discharge machining , sometimes colloquially also referred to as spark machining, spark eroding, burning, die sinking or wire erosion, is a manufacturing process whereby a desired shape is obtained using electrical discharges...
in 1994, and HQSF (High-Quality Surface Finish) technology with patented uSc additive in 1996, increasing the ability to finish parts without hand polishing when using a Ram EDM. In 2003, Makino developed the first conventional horizontal wire EDM that automatically threads and machines with a 0.02mm diameter wire.
In 2006, the company developed High Energy Applied Technology (HEAT) for wire EDMs to increase speed in wire EDMing, and released the EDAC1 micro EDM Ram machine. Makino is also the only manufacturer of a horizontal wire EDM, the UPJ-2. In 2007, Makino introduced SurfaceWIZARD wire EDM technology, designed to eliminate witness lines in stepped parts.
Further reading
- US Industry TodayVol 4 No.3
- American Machinist 1 August 2000
- Modern Machine Shop February 1991 courtesy of bnet.com
- Business Courier of Cincinnati March 6, 1998
- Manufacturing Engineering June 2006 Vol. 136 No. 6
- Automotive Design & Production February 2002
- Modern Machine Shop June 1998
- ThomasNET UPJ-2 release on September 14, 2006
- Modern Machine Shop SurfaceWIZARD release