How to protect the CNC plastic tool holders from breaking?

How to protect the CNC plastic tool holders from breaking?

CNC plastic tool holders also called tool holder cradle, tool holder gripper, tool holder clip, tool holder fork, tool holder finger, cnc toolclip etc.
Some ATC (auto tool changer) CNC router owners have problem of breaking the plastic tool holders continuously. What cause these cnc plastic tool fingers broken? And how to solve this cnc toolclip damage problem?

1, You have to clean the tool holders and the inside of the spindle regularly. If you don't, the tool holoders will stick. Even though the air release is on, the holder will stick and it will pull hard and possibly break the plastic clip off.
When the machine tool changes it relies on the plastic fingers to have enough strength to pull the tool out of the spindle. Before use the machine, you can press tool release button to feel any force when release the tool holder.
If you can install an air purifier to reduce the humidity in the valves, it is good to the spindle and the toolholders, so is the cnc plastic forks.

2, CNC gripper fingers breakage due to embrittlement of the plastic from old age or heat cold cycles in the shop. Usually the plastic tool holder grippers after 3 years using, it is easy to break. You can get some new gripper replacements and installing them, if any of the new fingers break then you will know for sure that they are not breaking due to age. By the way, to reduce the aging, you had better not put the ATC cnc machine near the shop door, avoid direct sunshine.

3. What if the knock out at the end of the draw bar stroke has changed and is not there. Thus the tool can stick inside the spindle but the plastic fingers are too weak to break the tool holder free.
What if the switches on top of the draw bar cylinder are out of adjustment. The spindle may go up before the tool is completely released. Again the fingers could break.

4, Re-calibrate the tool change Z height, make sure the plastic tool holder fingers seem to be exactly aligned in relation to the tool holder groove. If the tool finger position is not right, the holder would hit the fingers, then gripper finger damage.

5, Carouse tool magazine work with position sensor switch and motor and gear, after long time use, the gear wear, or the switch damage, this will affect on the tool holder fork position, then lead to tool fork damage.
So before starting the machining job, check the tool magazine go home, check the spindle tool changing position whether is right. Also check the tool clips is there any one loose.

After you check these, you will found the problem and solve the problem well.
Then machine preventive maintenance is very important. Pay more attention to tool maitenance, clean the cones, the spindle end, fork fixture, less plastic cnc forks will damage.
Different tool changer fingers are available in stock for quick delivery. 

Rico CNC supplies high-quality CNC toolings and accessories; ISO30, BT, HSK tool holders; CNC router ATC gripper fingers for many automatic tool exchangers.
Rico is able to help you order the correct ATC plastic tool holding fingers for your ATC tool magazines.
Payment can be made by Western Union, Paypal, T/T.

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Six Common Kinds of Tool Holder Forks for CNC Router Machines

Six Common Kinds of Tool Holder Forks for CNC Router Machines

CNC tool forks also called CNC tool holder fork, tool holder clip or tool holder gripper, is for your CNC tool holder, and usually work with Carousel Type Auto Tool Changer or Linear Type Auto Tool Changer. CNC tool holder grippers stay attached to the tool changer and hold the tool holders. These original OEM CNC plastic forks are found on many woodworking CNC routers, also Biesse machine.

Today, we are going to introduce six common kinds of tool forks. They are ISO30 white tool fork, HSK63F white tool clip, BT30 white tool gripper, DIN30 black tool holder fork, BT30 black tool finger, and BT40 black tool cradle.


ISO30 White Tool Forks for ATC Toolchanger Holders

ISO30 Tool changer Finger also called ISO30 Tool Cradle, ISO30 Tool Holder Fork, ISO-tool grippers or ISO30 tool clips.

These replacement tool holder fingers are plastic fingers for iso30 tooling, widely used in HSD spindles for Woodworking CNC machines and others, like Biesse, Flexicam, Multicam CNC routers etc.

ISO 30 tool changer fingers are available in stock for quick delivery. 

HSK63F White Router Cradle Toolholder Clip Tool Changer Gripper

HSK tool holder gripper also called toolholder gripper fork, HSK cradle, toolholder clip, tool holder finger, tool forks etc.

HSK 63 Toolchanger Gripper used on HSK 63F Toolchangers. These tool changer grippers are used on all Biesse, CNT Motion, CR Onsrud, DMS, Flexicam, Multicam, Northwood HSK63F toolchangers. They are the exact interchange tool holder gripper.

These tool holder cradles are widely used in auto tool changer CNC routers, so also called router cradle.

HSK63 grippers are available in stock for quick delivery.

BT 30 White Tool Holder Clips for ATC Toolchanger

This white plastic BT30 CNC tool holder clip with Zinc Alloy insert, it is strong enough for standing heavy tool holder chuck. It is better than black BT30 fork. But need a little bigger area for the tool magazine. It is used with tool magazine for BT30 tool holders.

This white CNC tool holder clip BT 30 looks like the white ISO30 tool forks, the fix part is same, but the chuck diameter is different.

BT30 Toolchanger Clips Applications:
1. BT30 CNC Tool Clips apply for any size auto tool changer CNC routers, CNC milling machines etc. 
2. BT30 ATC tool clip application industry: hole drilling, milling, engraving, high precision and widely used for high precision processing.

DIN30 Black ISO 30 Plastic Tool Holder Grippers for ATC HSD Spindle

This DIN 30 toolholder gripper is another kind of ISO30 CNC tool holder fork, is for your ISO30 CNC tool holder, widely used with Disk Type Auto Tool Changer or Linear Type Auto Tool Changer.

DIN30 tool changer grippers application:
1. Tool holder grippers apply for any size auto tool changer CNC router.  
2. CNC tool holder plastic grippers application industry: hole drilling, milling, engraving, high precision and widely used for high precision CNC processing.

BT30 Black CNC Tool Change Forks for Auto Tool Changer Spindle

BT Tooling comes in a range of sizes designated as BT 30, BT 40, BT 50, etc. BT30 toolholder forks or BT40 CNC tool forks, is for your BT CNC tool holders. Used with your CNC machine with Carousel Type Auto Tool Changer or Linear Type Auto Tool Changer. These original plastic forks are found on many vertical machining center, CNC milling machines, woodworking CNC centers and big foam mold making CNC routers.

BT 30 Style Toolchanger Gripper Forks or Fingers Applications:
1. BT30 Tool Holder clips apply for any size auto tool changer CNC routers, CNC milling machines etc. 
2. BT30 Toolchanger fork application industry: hole drilling, milling, engraving, high precision and widely used for high precision processing.

BT40 Black Tool Fingers for Carousel Holder Tool Magazine

These bt40 plastic holders are CNC tool changer carousel holders fingers grippers, widely used in carousel tool magazine for auto tool changer CNC machine.
These plastic tool fingers are for BT40 tool holders, we can also supply you BT30 replacement fingers.

BT40 toolchanger grippers are available in stock for quick delivery.


Rico CNC supplies high quality CNC tools and accessories. ISO30, BT, HSK tool holders, CNC router ATC gripper fingers for many automatic tool exchangers.
Rico is able to help you order the correct ATC plastic tool holding fingers for your ATC tool magazines.

CNC Router Wood Cutting Machine Vacuum Pump Maintenance

CNC Router Wood Cutting Machine Vacuum Pump Maintenance

Vacuum pump is a helpful additional part for a cnc router machine, it makes the machine can hold the workpiece by vacuum suction, very convenient and save time, improve the productivity. In China we usually supply 3 kinds vacuum pump: Water Cycling vacuum pump(aslo called water cooling vacuum pump), Air cooling vacuum pump, BECKER Vacuum pump (air cooling vacuum pump from German). During use the vacuum pumps, we should pay attention to the maintenance, so that we can longer its working life time.

 

(1) Wood engraving machine Water cycling vacuum pump

 

The metal mesh of the suction mouth is used to prevent the dust and particles entering the pump body. It should be kept clean at any time to avoid blocking by pump pumping speed decreased. When the water pump does not to use, please power it on every few days for a few minutes. It can avoid the pump rusting.

(2) Wood engraving machine Air-cooling vacuum pump

It should also release the butterfly nut, take out the paper filter core and regularly clean dust filter with high pressure air. When the filter ventilation was found not in order or damaged, it should be replaced; add oil to the coupling by the high-pressure oil gun according to the time you used.

In the meantime: when the wood cutting machine is not used for a long time, it should be powered on 1-2 times each week, especially in a heaver ambient humidity during the rainy season. It should run about an hour in order to disperse the moisture of the CNC system by using of the electrical heating element itself to ensure the performance of the electronic devices.

Pod and Rail Point to Point CNC Router Versus Flat Table CNC Routers

Pod and Rail Point to Point CNC Router Versus Flat-Table CNC Routers

What is the most versatile - pod and rail or flat table? 

A pod and rail machine has an advantage over a flat table in that it can process the side of the part with horizontal boring, machining, cutting, etc. A flat table can also perform some of these tasks, but then the parts can't be nested and require to be raised. The parts also require more space to separate them to make room for the tooling to access the side of the part.

Cabinet bases/frames can quickly be produced on a flat table with all the construction boring completed in a matter of 5-10 minutes per sheet on a newer machine. This would take longer on a pod and rail machine.
But if you are machining custom parts made out of solid wood that requires machining on the side and bottom of the part. A pod and rail is the way to go. A flat table can't perform those functions as easy. But if all you are doing is machining on the top of the part and cutting the part out of a sheet, then a flat table is all you need.

To choose an ATC CNC pod and rail style Point to Point CNC Router or flat table CNC router depends on the product you run - you may only need a flat table machine, or if you have enough Z-clearance, then you can run other parts.
For dado construction, a flat table is perfect. A pod and rail can be a flat table, but also give you the flexibility of running complex custom parts with CNC accuracy. Let's say you are making a sunburst shutter frame and want to drill the holes on the CNC. This could only be completed on a pod and rail. It could be run on a flat table, but then you would need to raise the part and have the C-axis option installed. This comes almost standard on most pod and rail machines.

I run both a nested (flat) CNC and a pod and rail point to point. Since I do high volume production kitchen cabinetry and high end commercial, it has been useful to have both. I use a panel saw to cut the parts for my production prior to sending them to my point to point. This gives me the ability to do volume with minimal manpower. I run smaller parts that need machining on my nested (flat) routerbecause I can do onion skin cuts to help hold them in place better. I also utilize my nested router for MDF doors and specialty cuts for our desk area (curved, etc.). Software is a good thing to focus on when deciding what type of machine you need. 

Most nested base machines have an automatic tool changer (ATC) and a drill block. ATC machines usually start at 5 tools and can go up to dozens of tools depending on your requirements and how much money you can allocate to the purchase. A drill block is not essential with an ATC because you can pick drills from your tool selection, but if you do a lot of drilling, it can be very beneficial. Again it is a function of how much you have to spend. A three spindle machine versus a single spindle ATC system might be enough or could be a limitation. 

If your budget is small and you want a new machine, you will probably have a better selection of flat table CNC routers. Without a doubt a flat bed router and good software for nested based cutting is the best way for a small shop to go. As your shop grows, you might end up using both processes. Getting started in CNC you need to consider how much time and money you want to invest, and which process will work best in your shop. 

Brief of CNC (Computer Numeric Controlled) Machining, Milling or Turning

Brief of CNC (Computer Numeric Controlled) Machining, Milling or Turning
CNC (Computer Numeric Controlled) Machining, Milling or Turning utilizes automated machine tools that are operated by computers rather than being manually controlled or mechanically automated via cams alone. "Milling" refers to a machining process where the workpiece is held stationary while the tool spins and rotates around it. "Turning" occurs when the tool is held stationary and the workpiece spins and rotates.

Using CNC systems, component design is automated using CAD/CAM programs. The programs produce a computer file that generates the commands needed to operate a particular machine, and then loaded into the CNC machines for production. Since any particular component might require the use of a number of different tools modern machines often combine multiple tools into a single "cell". In other cases, a number of different machines are used with an external controller and human or robotic operators that move the component from machine to machine. In either case, the complex series of steps needed to produce any part is highly automated and can repeatedly produces a part that closely matches the original design. 

Since CNC technology was developed in the 1970s, CNC machines have been used to drill holes, cut designs and parts from metal plates and do lettering and engraving. Grinding, milling, boring and tapping can also be done on CNC machines. The primary advantage of CNC machining is that it allows for greatly improved accuracy, efficiency, productivity and safety over other forms of metalworking equipment. With CNC machining equipment, the operator is placed less at risk and human interaction is significantly decreased. In many applications, CNC equipment can continue to operate unmanned over the weekend. an error or a problem occurs, the CNC software automatically stops the machine and notifies the off-site operator.

The advantages of CNC Machining:

1. Efficiency Aside from the need for periodic maintenance, CNC machines can operate almost continuously. One person can oversee the operation of several CNC machines at a time.

2. Ease of Use CNC machines are easier to use than lathes and milling machines and greatly reduce the likelihood of human error.

3. Easy to upgrade Software changes and updates make it possible to expand the machine's capabilities rather than replace the whole machine.

4. No prototyping New designs and parts can be programmed directly into a CNC machine, eliminating the need to build a prototype.

5. Precision Parts made on a CNC machine are identical to each other.

6. Waste reduction CNC programs can plan the layout of the pieces to be machined on the material to be used. This allows the machine to minimize wasted material.

If any interests in our products, welcome to contact us, more information will be sent. 

The Difference Between CNC Mill And CNC Router

The Difference Between CNC Mill And CNC Router

Three axis CNC machines generally fall into two separate categories. Some CNC machines are cnc routers while others are cnc mills. These two types of CNC machines are for very different purposes, and as a result of that, are designed and built differently.

The CNC Router
Generally, CNC routers are used to cut soft materials such as wood, plastic and foam. Some CNC routers are even capable of cutting aluminum since it is a soft metal. Because cnc routers are used to cut soft materials, they are generally built fairly lightly. Don’t get me wrong, large CNC routers can easily weigh hundreds of pounds, but that is still fairly light.
Because materials like wood often come in large sheets, many routers have a very large cutting surface such as 4x8 feet, and a fairly small Z axis, typically 2 to 12 inches. Because there is such a large travel area, routers typically have high cut and jog rates. For example, some Rico routers can jog at 60m/min.
Because the cutting size and travel speed of CNC routers is usually high, there is one tradeoff. CNC routers are typically less accurate than CNC mills because soft materials usually don’t need to be machined precisely to the thousands of an inch.
A CNC router may be equipped with either a router or a spindle to power your cutting tool.

The CNC Mill
A CNC mill is an entirely different beast. CNC Mills are used to mill hard materials, ranging from aluminum to hardened steel or even titanium. CNC mills are often used to mill machine parts, and because of this requirement, CNC milling machines are very accurate. Generally, a CNC mill is accurate to a thousandth of an inch or better. To achieve this accuracy, CNC mills are often made with die cast iron or other extremely hard material which does not flex even under load. This makes CNC mills several times heavier than CNC routers.
Because hard materials are cut much more slowly than soft materials, CNC mills have a much slower jog speed. Spindles are used instead of routers, since spindles are good at low RPM required for cutting metal. Because CNC mills are often used with a rotary indexer, many CNC mills have a large Z-axis.
The cost of a CNC mill is certainly higher than that of a CNC router of equal size. In fact, CNC mills typically have a very small cutting area. To get anything past 2x2 feet could cost you tens of thousands of dollars.

cnc router overview test before shipping

From: http://www.ricocnc.com/lists/17-1-cnc...

Rico CNC machines will be all tested well before shipping. Before shipping, we will take pictures and video for our clients to check.

Every parts of our cnc machines are genuine high quality for long time stable great performance.

Advertising Shop CNC Laser CNC Router Making Acrylic Signs

CNC Laser CNC Router Making Acrylic Signs

Acrylic, is widely used in advertising industry. Advertising job shops usually use cnc laser machines, cnc router to do 2D cutting or 3D engraving. 

Properties of Acrylic

Acrylic is a clear, plexiglass material that is ⅛” thick. It is durable enough to use inside or outside, although we do recommend indoor use. The use of acrylic outside tends to shorten the lifespan of the sign due to sun damage and exposure to the elements.

Acrylic is also very lightweight (about a half a pound per square foot), which makes hanging the sign a breeze! Standoffs can also be purchased for the acrylic sign, allowing for easy installation and a dynamic, professional look.

Although acrylic is one of the most aesthetically beautiful signs we offer, acrylic does have some drawbacks. It can scratch easily, so to keep your sign looking brand new, be sure to avoid the use of sharp objects near it.

 

Uses of Acrylic

The acrylic can be used as lobby signage, directional signage and architectural signage. It’s the perfect substitution for traditional glass because it is safer and much more affordable. Acrylic can be cut to any shape you desire, making it a great choice for statement walls in your office, or as custom directional signage. We offer both a halo cut and a contour cut. The halo cut would cut around the general shape of the design. We also can cut each of the pieces of the artwork out individually with what is known as a contour cut.

Acrylic is commonly used to display company logos or high resolution photographs. They can be used as a beautiful, prominent display in a lobby or at the entrance to a business. Using acrylic to showcase your logo or business motto can leave a big impact.

The ink is applied directly to the surface of the acrylic. Therefore, we are able to print on both the front or the back of the acrylic. Both offer different signage solutions, you can determine which of these two options is right for you.

 

CNC laser cutting machine and cnc router machine are great helpful tools to doing acrylic cutting and engraving, they can enlarge your advertising business and get better benefits.

If anything we can help with CNC Machines and CNC spare parts, welcome to contact us, we will do our best to support.

The basic knowledge of CNC router tool path

CNC router tool path knowledge

The basic knowledge of CNC router tool path

CNC router engraving product is divided into two-dimensional CNC cutting and three-dimensional CNC carving, sculpture; drilling into points, contour and regional milling. To make tool path for the cnc router to machining, several important parameters we should be known.

1, Incised and carved The so-called "incised" means: carving material left after the sunken text or graphics. The so-called "carved" refers to: carving material left after projecting text or pattern, commonly known as positive word.

2, Engraving depth The "engraving depth" refers to the maximum depth of the machining. In a three-dimensional carving, carving paths and changing the shape change of the depth of processing graphics.

3, Layered carving In the two-dimensional, three-dimensional, cut the word appear in the image carved "layered carving, each feed does not exceed set depth, maximum depth of each tool into the material, hard texture of the material by the experience. The value of a number of layered carving, final completed design engraving depth.

4, Mosaic path The so-called "Mosaic", that is, a design graphics were incised and male engraved, the two parts obtained by respectively referred to the female mold and the male mold; two molds can seamlessly buckle together. Taking into account the impact of the tool, in the calculation of the engraving path, one must select the "mosaic path”.

5, The tool compensation In the process, the wood CNC router tool itself cutting width, with the tool compensation, cutter blade width automatically eliminate processing effects.

6, The direction of rotation when the crispening Conducting cutting and milling bottom, select the appropriate Crochet direction of rotation can be processed objects smoother side.

7, Milling bottom way Calculation of two-dimensional and three-dimensional path, milling is a common processing that is milling to the spare parts of an object or text. The used milling bottom: horizontal milling bottom, vertical milling the end, the end of the forward 45 degree milling, the reverse end of a 45-degree milling, circular milling bottom, but no matter which way you choose, the result is the same, differing only in processing tool walking route.

8, Tool selection In order to ensure that the processing efficiency in the processing of objects of different materials, different hardness, ensure that the processing effect, you need to select the appropriate processing tool. Users can set up their own, naming their common tool.

If anything we can help with CNC Routers and CNC spare parts, welcome to contact us, we will do our best to support.

New Ways of Making Things By A CNC Router

New Ways of Making Things By A CNC Router

New Ways of Making Things By A CNC Router

It’s not about cuts or holes anymore - it's about parts. A Rico CNC router is an amazing do-all tool for precisely cutting, carving, drilling or machining all kinds of things from all kinds of materials. With a CNC router, you use the included software to design your parts on your personal computer, then, like a robot, the computer controls the cutter to precisely cut your parts.

If you are a woodworker, you may have a table saw, a drill press, a chop saw, a lathe, a router, a band saw, a joiner or planer, a shaper or a panel saw in your shop. A CNC Wood Router machine will do the work of each of these tools. It is a multi-purpose tool that can cut, drill, shape and machine in the same way as traditional tools.

With traditional woodworking, making a part involves organizing a set of tool operations or procedures. For example, if you are making shelving you might use the table saw to cut the wood boards, move to the drill press to put in a series of holes, perhaps finish by cutting some grooves or edge treatment with a router. Several operations - several tools.

With a Rico CNC router, you design the part or parts you want, including all of the features such as holes and grooves. You load and secure the material, then the work is done in a few minutes (or a little longer if the part includes carving) by the Router CNC, with the sawing, drilling and grooving all being carried out in the single process of making the part. You still need to think about woodworking issues like grain, direction and speed of cutting, choice of cutters, method for holding material during the work, how you will finish the part, etc. But this thinking is shifted to the design and planning phase or your work and does not involve making use of a number of individual tools.

Importantly, with CNC engraver you have capabilities to do complex and precise cutting and carving; you can use curved lines rather than straight cuts where desired; you can easily machine pockets or shapes; you can do holes of any size; and you can add carving to a project. You can make what you want and are not limited by your saw or drill-press, or your manual skills. You can make one set of parts for a project, or you can go into production.

Getting Going with RICO Router CNC CNC is amazing, but it is not magic. There are skills and techniques to learn. But with Router CNC, the challenge is designing and planning a part rather than physically pushing material through an unforgiving tool. Your router machine will handle the cutting with precision, reliability and repeatability. And, we make the design process easy by providing our full featured CNC Design SoftwareSuite. If you are comfortable with a computer, or think you can get comfortable with one, you'll be cutting out your projects in no time.

 If any interests in CNC Router Cutting Machines, welcome to contact us, more information will be sent.

CNC Routers for Acrylic Plastics

CNC Routers for Acrylic Plastics

Many businesses across different industries require CNC routers for plastics, to cut and manipulate softer materials than metal or wood. Plastic has a different texture and make-up than other materials you may work with, and requires specific equipment to get the job done effectively.

CNC routers for acrylic plastics: efficiency and productivity

Some business owners mistakenly believe that if they simply buy a CNC router that cuts metal or wood, they will work well for jobs involving plastics. Since you likely want to increase your efficiency and productivity at a reasonable cost, you need CNC routers for plastics to do the job well.

For one thing, a router designed for metal or wood requires more voltage and consumes more power than a router meant for plastics. Also, the router speed you need to cut acrylic plastic is about half of what's required for wood and metal. Even though the machine can handle much denser materials, your productivity will decrease significantly if you don't use the right equipment.

Heat and vibration

Another consideration when purchasing CNC routers for acrylic plastics is the heat generated by the machine. Since plastic is more likely to break down as a result of heat exposure, the router you choose should generate as little heat as possible. In most cases, this means it should have fewer moving parts. Vibration will take a stronger toll on plastics than on other materials, so you want less movement with CNC routers for plastics.

Tool shape and cut

CNC routers for acrylic plastics have particular designs and feature heads that prevent resealing of materials once they are cut. This issue is unique to substances like plastic and foam, and you'll need a cutting edge that forces the broken chips away from the materials you're cutting so they can't meld back together.

When working with a CNC router for plastics or foam, you'll also need a machine that comes equipped with a stronger vacuum since the parts are often more difficult to hold to the table. In many cases, a CNC foam router is more appropriate than one for wood or metal.

Choosing these types of CNC machines shouldn't take long, but make sure that the manufacturer specifically lists plastics as one of the materials for which the tool is designed. Rico CNC will find you the right CNC machine for the materials you need to work with.

 If any interests in Acrylic Plastics Cutting CNC Routers, welcome to contact us, more information will be sent.  

CNC Router for Commercial Projects and Domestic Projects

CNC Router for Commercial Projects and Domestic Projects
CNC router is a very diverse machine and it can do much more than that, some of the uses for CNC routers include making cabinets, slatwall, carving routed signage, general woodworking, making 2-D and 3-D wood carvings.

Our CNC Router machine is state of the art and can produce almost anything out of wood in a professional and bespoke manner. 

Commercial Projects

CNC router machine can work for the entire project.

Hotels

Factories

Restaurants

Conference Rooms

Boutiques

Exhibitions

Retail Shops

Offices

Cabinetry

Signs

Slat Board

Domestic Projects

Kitchens

Wardrobes

Beds

Media Storage

Desks

Display Units

Cabinets

Book Cases

Counters

Tables

Cabinetry & Drawers

P.O.P. (Point-of-Purchase) Display Component

Shelves

Slotted Panels

Chalkboard

Furniture Components

Markerboard, also known as dry erase board or white board

Pegboard

Slatwall

CNC Router machines becomes more and more popular for their functional usage. More and more Woodworkers and Signs makers start to use CNC router engraver.
If any interests in Slatwall Cutting CNC Machines and cnc spare parts, welcome to contact us, more information will be sent.