Complete Center Sill Machining in a Single Automated Operation
The Techvagonmash CNC automated drilling center is purpose-built for the high-productivity drilling of freight car center sills. The system performs all required drilling operations automatically in two mutually perpendicular planes — horizontal and vertical — within a single workpiece setup, eliminating inter-operation moves and reducing total cycle time significantly compared to manual or semi-automated methods.
The machine is designed to machine center sills for all gondola car and hopper car models. Using an integrated contact probe measuring system, the gantries automatically determine hole positions on the loaded workpiece, making preliminary marking entirely unnecessary. Hydraulic clamping ensures rigid, repeatable fixation throughout the machining cycle.
Drilling operations performed in a single pass include: rivet holes for stop mounting stands (with top center plate), wear-resistant plate holes, manufacturing process holes, support plate mounting holes, and holes for brake equipment brackets.
- Full machining in one operation — all required hole patterns drilled in a single setup across both planes
- No pre-marking required — contact probe system automatically locates and measures the workpiece
- Integrated chip conveyors — continuous swarf evacuation maintains high production standards and reduces downtime
- Suhner ISO 40 drilling heads — proven industrial precision with automatic tool storage and rapid change
- Hydraulic workpiece clamping — rigid and repeatable fixation for consistent hole accuracy across the full run
Complex Layout
1. Drilling gantry (2 pcs.);
2. Clamping table;
3. Loading/unloading device;
4. Remote control.
Specifications:
| 1. | Machine item | Center sills of all gondola and hopper cars models |
| 2. | Drilling gantry: | 2 pcs |
| Number of drilling heads on the gantry horizontal/vertical | 2/1 | |
| Type of drilling heads applied | (Somex) Suhner | |
| Tool system type | ISO 40 | |
| Number of replaceable tools storage units on each gantry | 3 | |
| Number of places in each storage unit | 4 | |
| 3. | Clamping table : | |
| Item fixation principle | Hydraulic | |
| Number of clamps and rammers | 2+4 | |
| Integrated hydraulic unit | yes | |
| 4. | Machined item measuring system | Contact probe |
| 5. | Air consumption, m3/h | 5 |
| 6. | Pressure, MPa | 0.6…0.7 |
| 7. | Installed capacity, kW | 95 |
| 8. | Overall dimensions with standard features, mm | 21410 х4300×3020 |
