When equipment in tough environments like limestone mines needs maintenance, innovative solutions often emerge. Norman, a technical support specialist at Tormach, recently undertook a personal project to create a custom thread cleaner for his brother, who works in a Tennessee limestone mine. Using Tormach’s 1500MX CNC mill to cut steel, Norman built a tool to clean debris from threads on injection-molded plugs frequently used in the mine. In this article, we'll walk you through the step-by-step process Norman took when crafting this part for his brother.

At Tormach, we believe that when you purchase one of our CNC machines, it should be entirely yours to control, maintain, and modify. We’re committed to the “right to repair” movement, which advocates for consumers to have the power to repair and maintain their equipment without restrictive service contracts or software lockouts. Tormach’s open-source approach and commitment to transparency ensure that every machine offers owners both flexibility and freedom.

Tormach is advancing automation by integrating LiDAR technology into PathPilot^® Robot Edition, designed to simplify and enhance pick-and-place operations with the ZA6 industrial robot and the 1500MX CNC mill. This update enables the robot to scan the parts area with a LiDAR sensor, removing the need for time-consuming and error-prone grid placement. Let’s explore how Tormach’s use of LiDAR technology improves flexible part placement, stacking, and the overall user experience in automation.

Tormach CEO Daniel Rogge and machinist Jason Pulvermacher shared insights into the design and operation of the ZA6 industrial robot grippers used in their IMTS automation demo. This project focused on manufacturing a motor mount for the microARC 6 using Tormach’s 1500MX CNC mill and ZA6 robot. With the motor mount's unique handling requirements, the Tormach team engineered a custom gripper system for the ZA6 to tackle the challenges of flipping and securing the part as it moved through various machining stages.

When it comes to achieving efficient and precise machining processes, proper probing is essential. Tormach CEO Daniel Rogge and machinist Jason Pulvermacher discussed the unique probing setup used to integrate the ZA6 industrial robot with the 1500MX CNC mill for the IMTS demo. This detailed approach not only showcased Tormach’s capabilities but also highlighted how strategic probing and specific G-code applications make automated CNC processes smoother and more reliable.

In September, Tormach demonstrated its automation solution at IMTS by integrating the new 1500MX CNC mill with the ZA6 industrial robot. In a new 4-part video series, Tormach CEO Daniel Rogge shares an in-depth look at how these tools were used to manufacture a microARC 6 motor mount, a high-precision part utilized in the Tormach production line. This video series dives into every aspect of the demo, from setup and programming to handling and inspection, giving an inside look at how Tormach's automation solution is helping reduce the barriers to CNC automation.