HaasTec 2011

[JohnJW]

I posted some images from HaasTec2011 on practical machinist's HaasTec thread but I think they're having some problem with their server so in case you've already seen the images, I apologize for the double post.

I went on Saturday to avoid the weekday traffic. Events consist of plant tour, food, and machine demo with plenty of engineers manning the machines to answer questions. There's also a small vendor section. It's sort of like their demo day, except bigger and you get to go on a plant tour. I am surprised by how transparent the whole process is. Other plants tours you usually have to state if you're a US citizen or not.

What I noticed from the visit 5 years ago was that there are more robotic cells, more, a lot more, Haas machines in the production floor making Haas parts. The EC-630 FMS caught my eyes as well as a HS-2 HMC. . . isn't that a 1st gen Haas HMC.

At the machine demo I think all the new machines have auto door locks now so you can't open the door while the program is running.

The icing on the cake was the made in USA Haas hat they gave away. . . . a small detail, but made an impression on me.


HaasTec 2011


Hitachi Seiki FMS


Wow! Haas EC-630 FMS


Assorted Haas HMC


Robotic Grinding Cells


Haas SL20 APL and a TL25 APL to the right hand side


Haas Robotic Cells in foreground. Large gantry mills in background


Closeup of the Haas Robotic Cell, I remember this from 5 years ago.


Haas Castings from US or Canada


Haas machines ready for shipment


Toolroom Lathe Assembly Area (ST Lathe to the left)


Mori Seiki FMS. . .I think they were just in the process of installing it 5 years ago.


More Haas robotic cells.


Haas HS-2 still going . . .


More Haas on the production floor


100,000th Haas


A cluster of Haas VS-3


Haas VS-3


Assembly area for large frame Haas VMC


Haas control cabinet testing area


Haas VMC assembly area


Haas VF-1, 1988 and 2011


Haas VF-1, 1988 and 2011 Specs

[helocat]

Great photos! I flew down from Oregon and went through on Thursday.
Problem with Thursday was it seemed to be the day all the students came! (no complaints here I was a student visiting in 97' now an owner)

I too noticed the made in USA hat tag. I did the tour back in 97' and a few buildings then were not there that are now!

I loved talking with the demo machine operators. Two I talked with were part of the engineering staff, one on the TM team.

Mark

[KenFoulks]

Hey John,
Are you on Facebook? Could you post those pictures on Haas' FB site?

Haas Automation, Inc. | Facebook

Anyone else,
Please post any pictures from the show. Any feedback is welcome as well. In fact, any comments for what you would like to see in the future may help towards a better show.

[Donkey Hotey]

Originally Posted by KenFoulks Any feedback is welcome as well. In fact, any comments for what you would like to see in the future may help towards a better show.

Nice try, Ken. There was nothing that could have been done better and I'm not saying that to be polite.

The tour was truly outstanding (did it twice, different guides). I don't know who wrote-up what they covered but, it was overwhelming to hear all that goes through there in a month. I work in a big industry and it's shaming to see how much you guys accomplish at that factory. I had a chance to talk to a guy from your production planning group while up on the catwalk. He gave me some insight to how Haas schedules it all. I'm still floored.

The food--as always--was a nice touch and really well executed. I don't know who did the catering but, they did a great job. The chicken on Friday was very tasty and even the hot dogs on Saturday were good.

The demos were great. It was really no different in my mind's eye than being at Westec. The demo parts on the DS-30Y were OK but, the one running on the ST-10Y really showed off the capability of the new features. I'm still kicking myself for not getting one of those parts (was describing it to numerous people today).

The demo running on the DT-1 was very cool and right up Geof's alley. For those who missed it, they had a 4th axis rotary fixture that was actually doing features on both sides of a part, through a hole in the bottom of the fixture plate. It was pretty slick. On Saturday, I got to meet the guy who designed that demo and told him how ingenious that was.

Getting to meet Ken and WCBOB was a great experience. Having everybody in one place (just like Westec) meant that I was able to get lots of little questions answered. Christian (from the Torrance HFO) helped me with some fundamental turret setup problems I'd had with our SL-20.

I expected to be able to see some of the usual suspects there and that included our Mastercam reseller. They were able to answer some questions for me. The only time I see them is at the shows. I got to make some new tooling contacts for cutters we are expanding into (composites and foam). The Mastercam demo guy was there (what's a tradeshow without him? ).

The event was good enough for me to do the two-hour trip out there for a second day and I was not disappointed. The thinner crowds on Saturday meant that by late afternoon, I could actually look at the machines (Friday afternoon had people packed around most of the machines). It was a high-value experience for me and I can't say enough to thank everybody for their time.

[wcbob]

Greg it was nice to meet you as well, remember any time you need help where here for you.

[JohnJW]

Originally Posted by KenFoulks Hey John, Are you on Facebook? Could you post those pictures on Haas' FB site?

Ken,

I am not on facebook. . . probably one of the few holdouts, but luckily I have my Haas to keep me busy and I have the forum to ask questions if I get stuck.

thanks again for the great open house.

John

[eksinger]

i've got the one on the left... it's still running and making accurate parts.

[Donkey Hotey]

Originally Posted by helocat I too noticed the made in USA hat tag.

Yeah, I forgot to mention the nice hats. Unlike most other ball caps, this one fit my fat head without being on the last pins of the adjustment.

[hercules]

Thanks for posting the pics, very interesting. I love to see successful US manufacturers.

[Kool Parts]

Thanks for posting the pics. Really wanted to go this time...but nooooo. Freaking customers and their many wants..
I was looking forward to cruising up to my old house in Ventura.
Next up for me will be the Vegas show. I am yanking the phone out of the wall 2 weeks before that one
Gary

[Loose Nut]

Thanks for the write up and pic's. It's nice for all of us who could not attend.




Sam P.