Okuma 11-axis LT2000-EX CNC lathe is designed for round-the-clock production
LT2000-EX 11-axis universal CNC lathe
NCMT has announced the launch of Okuma’s LT2000-EX 11-axis universal CNC lathe, which has been designed for turn milling chuck, bar and shaft parts in medium to large batches.
The compact lathe is able to produce complex components in one hit.
It has two opposing C-axis spindles, as well as three turrets, each of which has 16 live positions with up to 5.5kW driven tool power in the range 50–6,000rev/min and maximum torque of 22.5Nm.
A 12-station turret version is available with a maximum torque of 31.3Nm for heavier duty tasks.
Key specifications — LT2000-EX 11-axis CNC lathe
- Capacity of 200mm diameter for chucking, bar work up to 65mm and 700mm maximum shaft length.
- Turrets move in X, Y and Z.
- C-axes positioned to an accuracy of 0.001°.
- Spindles rated at 22kW/6,000rev/min/350Nm.
- Will likely be delivered with gantry loader or bar feeder.
- Features Okuma’s OSP-P00L control system.
http://source.theengineer.co.uk/production-and-automation/cutting-tools/milling-machines/okuma-11-axis-lt2000-ex-cnc-lathe-is-designed-for-round-the-clock-production/2009171.article
Citizen Machinery offers CNC chucking lathes suitable for applications such as electronics
GN and RL ranges of CNC chucking lathes
Citizen Machinery is offering Ocean Cincom’s GN and RL ranges of CNC chucking lathes, which are designed for automated machinery applications within sectors such as electronics, fuel injection, bearings, medical and fluid power.
The chucking lathes can be customised to suit customers’ applications and have compact floor footprints. The RL chucking/collet machines feature component bowl feed and the GN range is offered in five variations — the GN-3200, the GN-3200W, the GN-4, the GN-4200 and the GN-4200W — each of which has linear platens.
The RLO1 and RLO3 machines feature a single spindle and a linear platen and are built onto a single base. Additionally, the RLO1 has a bowl feel and can carry four tools on its platen. The RLO3 includes a pick-and-place gantry, a two-axis gantry loader in a double-gripper arrangement and an independent double-track conveyor and can carry five tools on its platen base.
The GN-3200 and the GN-3200W — single- and twin-spindle models with in and out pallet stockers — can carry five tools on each platen. The twin-spindle ‘W’ variant features a programmable gantry system that enables the machine to either duplicate the same cycle in each spindle or perform first and use a component turnaround device to conduct a second successive operational cycle.
The GN-4 — which is designed for ultra-high-accuracy finishing cycles — includes a two-axis platen that can carry six tools as well as non-contact encoder positioning and a rigid base.
The GN-4200 self-contained turning cell is suitable for European component production and includes fully integrated, high-speed, programmable automatic gantry loading/unloading. According to the company, it provides accurate concentricity to datum features of a component.
http://source.theengineer.co.uk/production-and-automation/grinding/lathes/citizen-machinery-offers-cnc-chucking-lathes-suitable-for-applications-such-as-electronics/2008449.article
IBAG high speed electrospindles add capability to Star CNC sliding-head lathes
CNC sliding-head lathes fitted with one or more high speed spindles, capable of milling and drilling at up to 100,000 rpm, can extend the range of applications that are possible, and Star Micronics GB has demonstrated as much.
Star collaborated with electrospindle specialist Emmaco to install a lathe fitted with an 80,000 rpm IBAG spindle at a subcontractor in the North of England. The company needed to drill a 0.5 mm cross hole in a brass component, but the lathe’s 8,000 rpm driven tool speed was insufficient to achieve the ideal surface speed for efficient machining.
By fitting an electrospindle capable of 10 times the rpm, cutting speed was increased to around 40,000 rpm (63 m/min), resulting in better surface finish, higher productivity and reduced tool wear.
Ian Baker, managing director of Emmaco UK cites another application, this time in the medical sector. The cycle time for machining bone screws on a CNC sliding-head lathe was reduced from 7 minutes to 45 seconds by retrofitting an IBAG spindle. A further advantage was the elimination of burrs that were previously created by milling at sub-optimal speeds.
Mr Baker says that there is considerable interest at the moment from medical companies in high-speed units, especially for milling stainless steel using typically 2 mm diameter cutters. Not only are the best machining parameters attainable, but also the IBAG drive is particularly smooth, resulting in very fine component surfaces approaching a mirror finish in some instances. One US manufacturer has installed no less than 17 such spindles on one Star lathe.
There are over 60 high-speed spindles in the IBAG range suitable for fitting to CNC sliding-head lathes, including some designed specifically for mounting on the rear toolpost on Star machines. Fixed-angle and adjustable-angle units extend the machining possibilities.
http://www.machinery.co.uk/machinery-news/star-cnc-sliding-head-lathes/39554/
Colchester Machine Tools wins Comev Italian flatbed manual and CNC lathe agency
Colchester Machine Tools has won the UK agency for the Comev Spa range of Italian-manufactured flatbed manual and CNC lathes.
Explains Colchester Machine Tools’ managing director, Gerry Shrimpton: “From the entry-level, Comev MT series of conventional machines, starting with a 360 mm diameter swing and up to 2,000 mm between centres, the conventional machine range reaches up to the Titano T series, with a 1,400 mm swing by up to 12,000 mm between centres.
“The range of CNC machines goes even larger, with the latest Urano series (pictured) having a swing capacity of over 2,000 mm and up to 12,000 mm between centres,” he adds. “Spindle torque over 20,000 Nm at low speed and a milling capacity to match a vertical machining centre allow the Comev Urano to machine the most difficult of large workpieces.”
Technical director Peter Cook underlines the machines’ design strengths. “The inherent strength of a flatbed machine over other designs really becomes apparent when large workpiece machining. Both the turning and tooling cutting forces are directed straight into the Comev cast iron bed, which, as you would expect from an Italian manufacturer, is weathered for 12 months.”
Both Mr Shrimpton and Mr Cook previously worked for the 600 Group; Mr Shrimpton headed up bearing maker Gamet; Mr Cook was highly placed at 600 Lathes.
http://www.machinery.co.uk/machinery-news/manual-and-cnc-large-capacity-flatbed-lathes/39107/
Dugard CNC Lathe Wins Far Eastern Work Back
During the early part of the last decade, it became the global manufacturing trend to scour the globe for manufacturers who could produce components at the lowest possible prices. As a direct consequence of this ‘cost-cutting’ phenomenon, UK based machine shops became the resultant casualties of a manufacturing explosion in the Far-East.
But not every UK CNC machining company signed-up completely to playing the ‘hapless victim’ role in this global scenario and one company in particular decided to redress the balance by completely changing their business model in order to compete for jobs previously lost to the Far-East.
Winton Precision Engineering located in Poole, Dorset, specialise in the manufacture of hydraulics parts for the Excavator industry. 100% of their turnover is generated from turned parts in high volumes and every year the business machines in excess of 1.5m components.
Operating out of a small machine shop on the South Coast of England, Winton Precision have 4 skilled engineers now running 6 sliding head lathes, all purchased from Dugard Machine Tools.
Let Winton MD, Peter Kenchington explain in his own words how investing in the 6 Dugard machines enabled the South West (of England) to fight back against Far-East competition and, in the process, enabled them to win back work that was once lost to them.
“We’ve experienced first-hand the huge shift in global component manufacturing, mainly down to the characteristics of our Excavator industry customer base and product type. There’s no question that at times it’s been extremely challenging for us to maintain our business in even the remotest way competitive, but in response to that challenge we identified that investment in competitively priced, fast, reliable machinery was the only way forward, for us.
Previously, we had always taken a business view that buying machine tools at the top-end of the market in terms of price was the right thing for us to do; but we realised that by continuing to follow that course of action we had merely help make our own business uncompetitive. Therefore, 2 years ago, we completely reviewed our business model.
We had been alerted to the new Dugard range of sliding head lathes, by complementary industry comment, and decided to put them through their paces.
To be brutally honest, it was the fantastically competitive pricing that attracted our attention initially: but as soon as we started to ‘get under the bonnet’ we quickly identified that these Dugard machines incorporated many additional features and benefits that could save us money as well. For example, the Dugard machines operate a non-guide bush system that halves the remnant from our 10 feet bars. On our previous ‘top-end’ machine we were losing up to 12 inches of material per bar which is automatically reduced to less than 5 inches by adopting the new system. This means on material savings alone we would save up to £1k per month by using a new Dugard Sliding Head Lathe.
Furthermore in ‘test’, the machine cut equally as quickly as our current sliding head lathe and was far easier to programme. Very quickly, everyone at Winton could see that investment in these Dugard machines would prove to be enormously beneficial in helping secure our company’s future.
Since investing in the first machine 2 years ago, we have gone on to install 5 more and now run 6 Dugard Sliding Head Lathes. Our business has grown, our workload has increased and we now have more spindles for less money which makes our business a hugely attractive prospect for customers who are looking for top quality machining, in high quantities at competitive prices without the logistical challenge of having to import parts from the Far-East.
We are now as busy as we have ever been and the 6 machines provide us with a rich source of capacity. Winton is therefore now winning back all the work it had lost and is currently looking at a very positive future. We believe that the reason behind this is very simple … we are now very, very competitive!
In summary the new Dugard sliding head lathe has been a real eye-opener for us; their follow-up service is as reliable as their machines and although we rarely need engineers … when we do, their response is timely and professional,” concludes Peter.
http://www.machinetooldirect.co.uk/engineers-case-studies/Dugard-CNC-Lathe-Wins-Work_2011_10_.asp
Ward Hi Tech Strike Quickly with SFM CNC Lathe
Sheffield based CNC machine tool distributors Ward Hi-Tech quickly hit the jackpot after launching their new range of heavy duty, long bed CNC lathes manufactured by SFM of Taiwan.
Within a few weeks of launching the new agency Ward Hi-Tech struck a deal with a major supplier of machined forgings, to supply an SFM Model CHT56 for producing amongst other things a range of lengthy forged rods used in the manufacture of tracked vehicles.
The machine had to be rigid and powerful enough to cope with the arduous machining process and have the capacity to allow deep internal bores to be machined to a fine finish.
The CHT56 proved ideal. With a swing of 1420mm and heavy duty headstock, the machine comfortably accommodated the heavy adjustable fixture necessary to hold the customer’s range of components and the extremely robust boring station option allowed a 150mm diameter x 2.5m long Sandvik balanced boring bar to be utilised to produce the internal diameters to drawing finish with ease.
The CHT56 4 speed gearbox arrangement ensured high torque performance at low speed and enabled the machine process to be carried out without fear of stalling, which had been the problem experienced by the customer on a previous machine.
So successful was the initial reaction to the new installation that Ward Hi-Tech’s client quickly decided to return and order a further two SFM machines to similar specification and are looking forward to installing the additions in the near future.
UK Sales Manager of Ward Hi-Tech, Mike Burke, commented,
“Seldom have we had such an immediate positive reaction to the launch of a new Agency. Shortly after confirming this initial order for these 3 SFM lathes at a combined value of around £700K, we sold a model CST42 with 1070mm swing x 4000mm between centres valued at over £220K to an existing customer of ours based in the Midlands.
All in all we are over the moon with the results and by the reaction generally that we are getting to the SFM product range”.
The SFM CNC heavy duty lathe range can be viewed on Ward Hi-Tech’s website: www.wardhitech.co.uk
http://www.machinetooldirect.co.uk/engineers-case-studies/Ward-Hi-Tech—SFM-CNC-Lathe_2011_9.asp
Double-End Multi-Spindle CNC Lathe
The INDEX Group, one of the world’s largest turning machine designers and manufacturers, is offering a new multi-spindle automatic lathe that includes a quillstock with six tool carriers and one counter spindle opposite the main 6-spindle drum, making it possible to machine complex workpieces requiring many tools, with highest precision in a single process. The INDEX MS40P CNC is a new concept that, according to the developer, affords contract manufacturers “the ability to out-produce — by up to 85% or more — six or more twin-turret CNC lathes with a single, flexible, high-speed, high precision machine that can work unattended over three shifts. The MS40P has six fluid-cooled, variable hollow-shaft motors that drive bar stock up to 40 mm, independent of each other. The machine concept is based on the added “A” side (drum side) and an opposite quillstock on the “B” side. INDEX Group stated that the MS40P extends its multi-spindle machine series by another CNC multi-spindle automatic lathe, with particular emphasis on flexibility and simple re-tooling. According to INDEX, the MS40P extends its multi-spindle machine series by another CNC multi-spindle automatic lathe that in particular, it plays to its strengths with its flexibility and ease of re-tooling. The flexibility and capability of the machine make it well suited to batch production, and for machining families of parts. Front and rear end machining options permit efficient, complete machining of production parts with complex geometry and/or extensive operations on the cutoff end. The core of the design is the machine’s compact spindle drum. Six fluid-cooled, infinitely variable hollow-shaft motors are able to drive up to 40-mm bar stock independently from each other. Other characteristics of the spindle drum are high torque, small frame size, maintenance-free operation, and an advanced synchronous design. The machine concept is based on the added “A” side (drum side) and an opposite quillstock on the “B” side. Besides the tool carriers in the spindle drum side of the machine, six more tool carriers and a counter spindle are located in the rigid monoblock quillstock. The tool carrier arrangement in the working area without a longitudinal slide block means that it’s possible to use more than one tool on each spindle. The generously dimensioned working area is easy to access through sliding doors on both sides of the machine. This is convenient for the user, and it reduces setup time significantly. Chips drop directly into the base of the machine. Permits innovative machining processes On the “A” side, the INDEX modular system allows customer-specific configuration of up to 12 hydrostatic bearing-supported, CNC cross-slides; several Y-axes; and numerous stationary and live tools (for front-end machining) permitting a wide range of machining in a single setup: off-center drilling, deep-hole, drilling, thread cutting, inclined drilling, cross drilling, contour milling, hobbing, and multi-edge turning are only a few of the many possibilities. The characteristic INDEX V-shaped arrangement of the tool carriers means that the optimal machining sequence is the only factor determining the process. For example, external and internal machining operations using stationary or live tools can be performed in every station. During machining, users may program the optimal speed for each independent spindle, which can be varied during cutting. The result is excellent surface quality, short production times per piece, and extended tool life. It is also possible to make speed changes during drum indexing, thus avoiding any additional secondary processing times. This capability means that it’s possible to machine difficult materials that otherwise may not be suitable for multi-spindle machines. Should the machining options on the “A” side (spindle drum) not be sufficient, the extensions on the “B” side – the quill version – come into play. Positions 1 to 5 each have a slide that can be used to machine the workpieces on the “A” side. In position 6, there is a counter spindle traversing in the Z direction, so users can machine workpieces in positions 6.2 and 6.4. Also, the slide 6.2 can be used to machine the “A” side or for rear-end machining on the counter spindle with up to three tools. Tool position 6.4 also features a back-boring slide that can be equipped with three boring or turning tools, or with live tools. In total, up to three tools can be used on the “A” side simultaneously, and another six tools are available for rear end machining. Another advantage is the large Z-travel distance of the counter spindle. It allows longitudinal and transverse machining of longer workpieces (shaft parts). A swivel unit places the parts on a conveyor belt that carries them away. The gripper can already move across the part during rear end machining to save time. Instead of placing the finished parts onto the integrated conveyor belt, they can also transferred to a handling system.
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The MS40P has six fluid-cooled, variable hollow-shaft motors that drive bar stock up to 40 mm, independent of each other. The machine concept is based on the added “A” side (drum side) and an opposite quillstock on the “B” side.
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INDEX Group stated that the MS40P extends its multi-spindle machine series by another CNC multi-spindle automatic lathe, with particular emphasis on flexibility and simple re-tooling.
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http://www.americanmachinist.com/304/Issue/Article/False/87812/Issue
HEC begins dispatching CNC Under Floor Wheel Lathe machine for Railways
Ranchi: Heavy Engineering Corporation (HEC), Ranchi has begun dispatching its new generation CNC Under Floor Wheel Lathe machine, which was ordered by the Central Organization For Modernization of Workshops (COFMOW). The first machine, out of the 7 ordered, has been thoroughly inspected by RITES and is all set to be commissioned.
The 2nd machine of the series is also ready and will be offered for inspection to RITES within a week. In addition to this, the company’s new generation CNC Surface Wheel Lathe for CLW, Chittaranjan also was inspected and cleared for dispatch by a team of Inspecting Engineers from CLW this month.
This machine has been developed and manufactured in association with Hegenscheidt of Germany for the 1st time in India by Heavy Machine Tools Plant (HMTP) of HEC, Ranchi.
G K Pillai, CMD, HEC expressed his happiness & said that the rest 6 machines should be supplied in time so that customer confidence is won. On this occasion, a small function was organized at HMTP amidst all senior officers and staff.
This new generation CNC Under Floor Wheel lathe machine requires minimum operator’s interference as the machine is fully automatic. The machine decides the optimum metal removal for maximum Wheel set life. It offers highest accuracy, is less prone to human error, is highly productive and ensures better accuracy of Wheel profile.
The Indian Railway Workshops were earlier equipped with old generation conventional Under Floor Wheel Lathe Machines. The performance of these machines were dependent more on the skill of operator for metal removal and achieving profile. This resulted in less Wheel life in the earlier generation machines.
The new generation automatic CNC Under Floor Wheel lathe Machine is expected to improve the life of Railway Wheel sets by around 20% to 30% with minimum operator interference. With the use of this machine, Indian Railways will be able to manage its Rolling Stock in more efficient & productive manner.
With this HEC has strengthened its position as a solution provider for Rolling Stock management.
http://machinist.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3687&Itemid=2
ATS tools up with CNC lathe investment
ATS UK has invested £90,000 in a CNC lathe to support its high precision tool making and specialist machining activities at its Folkestone, Kent, tooling and moulding division.
Following lengthy investigations and trials ATS purchased a CMZ TL-25 M machine supplied and installed by CMZ UK. The new machine is already being used to manufacture bespoke parts for multi-cavity injection mould tooling as well as small-medium sized production runs of high precision machined components for the aerospace, medical and packaging sectors.
ATS technical director, Mark Terry, said: “This latest acquisition has filled a gap in our machinery portfolio, enabling us to machine a wide variety of components for both injection mould tools as well as batch production items.
“Our brief was very detailed and covered a wide range of requirements including the high precision ‘hard turning’ of mould components, thus reducing the need for cylindrical grinding. CMZ allowed us to perform actual machining trials on their machines before we made our final decision.”
http://www.prw.com/subscriber/newscat2.html?cat=1&channel=300&id=1303987196
Lathe Machines, CNC Milling & Turning Machines Added to Machine Tools Directory
The online worldwide marketer of American made industrial machines, tools and equipment Buy American, a portal from the Industrial Leaders Group introduced today its newly designed American Machine Tools Directory at http://www.industrialleaders.com/listings/machine_tools.html The site, according to Buy American spokesman Dominic Roberts includes offers from custom manufacturers and dealers of new and used CNC lathes, machining centers, CNC milling & turning machines, routers, centerless grinders, I.D. and O.D. grinders, Blanchard grinding machines, horizontal & vertical milling machinery, precision drills as well as other CNC equipment for machine shops, foundries and other custom manufacturers.
Roberts said Buy American, in partnership with IndustrialSAVER also publishes an international Machine Tools Marketplace at http://www.industrialsaver.com/classifieds/index.php?cat=3 designed for companies seeking to buy/sell new and pre-owned machines for metalworking, casting manufacturing, precision plastic molding & mold making, metal fabrication, woodworking milling, gundrilling, sheet metal work, tooling and the manufacturing of machine components & parts made from metals, plastics and other materials. According to Roberts, the CNC equipment showcased on the marketplace is suitable for prototyping as well as short, medium and long production runs of custom precision parts & components.
“Buy American and ILG has been marketing new and used machine tools and CNC equipment for the custom and contract manufacturing industry since 2003 connecting jobbing shops and foundries with dealers and manufacturers of all kinds of machinery for manufacturing custom parts and components,” said Roberts. He added, “The machines tool directory has grown by 60% this year due to the partnership with IndustrialSAVER and the company is looking to include additional offerings for Swiss machines, vertical milling & horizontal milling, machining centers, CNC lathes, CAD/CAM software as well as other equipment for tooling, contract and on-site machining, drilling, grinding, assembly, inspection, repairing, gear building and other custom manufacturing processes.”
http://www.auto-mobi.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=148093&Itemid=56