Maximizing productivity on the shop floor often comes down to making the right equipment choices. For example, you may be leaving efficiency on the table by manually advancing bar stock at CNC lathe centers. Fortunately, there is a safe and efficient option: a puller tool.
Puller tools are lathe accessories that can eliminate wasted time, reduce operator intervention, and allow machinists to focus on higher-value tasks. In fact, a CNC lathe bar puller, such as Accudyne’s EZ-Puller, can free up enough time between bar changes for a single operator to tend multiple machines, check part features, or perform secondary operations. The resulting labor cost savings often pay for the puller in short order.
For machinists who want streamlined processes and enhanced productivity, choosing the best puller tool for CNC lathes is a smart investment. But what are the options and how can you determine which is right for your operational needs? Let’s dig into the best way to choose a puller tool for your CNC lathe machine.
What is a Puller Tool?
While a bar feeder pushes stock through the spindle and into the work zone, a puller tool works in the opposite way, pulling it instead. A CNC lathe bar puller is installed in a turret station, where it grips the bar and retracts along the Z-axis, pulling the bar into the work zone. Once turning and cutoff are complete, the process repeats until the bar is fully consumed.
Unlike bar feeders, puller tools don’t require additional floor space or an electrical interface with the machine. They are compact, cost-effective, and can be quickly removed or transferred to another lathe as needed. This flexibility makes them a practical choice for shops that want automation for streamlined processes without the complexity of a full feeder system.
How to Choose the Right Puller Tool
Selecting the best CNC lathe bar puller starts by assessing factors like your shop’s machines, the bar stock you use, and the types of machine lathe parts being produced. Here are the most important factors to weigh when choosing a puller tool for your facility:
Machine Size
The first step is ensuring that the puller is compatible with your machine. Check for sufficient clearance between the turret and the machine’s internal sheet metal components once the bar puller is installed. Smaller machines may have tighter tolerances, so proper fit is critical.
Accudyne’s EZ-Puller is designed for versatility, accommodating bar sizes from .093 in. to 2.00 in. This wide range allows machinists to work on a variety of different part dimensions without constant tool changes.
Shape and Diameter of Bar Stock
The geometry of your bar stock plays an important role in tool selection too. While round bars are the most common, many shops also work with hex or square stock. Each shape has different gripping requirements, and not all puller tools can handle every type.
The EZ-Puller is engineered to pull round, square, and hex stock with ease, making it a flexible solution for shops that work with diverse materials.
Number of Pulls
If your parts are longer than what can be completed in a single chucking, you’ll need a puller tool that supports multiple pulls. This capability allows machinists to incrementally pull the bar stock after each operation, ensuring that fresh material is always available for the next cut in exactly the right spot.
The EZ-Puller supports multiple pulls, enabling continuous production without wasted downtime for enhanced productivity. This is especially valuable in high-mix, low-volume operations where flexibility and efficiency are key.
Contact Accudyne Products for Help Choosing a Bar Puller
The frustration of traditional puller tools often stems from the time-consuming setup and constant fine-tuning required. That’s why the EZ-Puller was created—to save machinists time, improve accuracy, and increase profitability. Built in the USA with durability and repeatability in mind, the EZ-Puller has a two-year warranty and a 60-day money-back guarantee.
If you’re ready to take your CNC turning operations to the next level, invest in a puller tool that’s proven to deliver results. Contact Accudyne Products today to discuss your options and find the best puller tool for your CNC lathe.