FEATURE ON CNC LATHES AND TURNING CENTRES

ETG releases Nakamura JX-200 into UK market

Taking its turning technology to a new level, Nakamura-Tome has introduced the new JX-200 multi-tasking turn-mill centre. Now available in the UK from the Engineering Technology Group (ETG), the JX-200 incorporates Nakamura’s new NT Smart Cube, which the company says is the world’s shortest tool spindle in its class. This design supports a compact footprint with a spacious work area and high-performance kinematics.

Nakamura has recognised the increasing need of industry to manufacture smaller batch sizes with higher flexibility. The new JX-220 is a twin-spindle machine with an upper tool spindle that swivels ±95° to provide high levels of flexibility. Furthermore, the machine offers 15/11 kW power output and a 12,000 rpm spindle with an 18,000 rpm spindle as an option. The upper tool spindle has an 80-position tool carousel as standard with 40 or 120 tools as optional extras.

The lower tooling turret offers milling capability as standard, along with Y-axis machining. In addition, the lower turret provides a 6000 rpm milling spindle with 8000 rpm optional, and both upper and lower milling capability is rigid and robust for heavy-duty material removal applications.

In combination with the upper tool spindle and the lower turret, the JX-200 is suitable for a multitude of different machining methods, such as simultaneous machining with both left and right spindles, engaging both upper and lower tool positions simultaneously, and even machining with centre support mounted on the lower turret. With the facility for operations such as turning, milling, drilling and gear cutting, this ‘all in one’ machine will appeal to manufacturers in a variety of sectors.
For further information www.engtechgroup.com

Arturn makes a turn for Hanwha turning centres

Arturn Precision Engineering has invested in a Hanwha XD38II sliding-head turning centre from Dugard to enhance capacity and throughput at its Rugby-based facility. As a tier-one automotive supplier, as well as a manufacturer for the fastener, electrical, food and pharmaceutical industries, Arturn is no stranger to high-volume production runs, which is where the Hanwha machine from Dugard is making a difference.

Myles Rudkin, foreman at Arturn Engineering, says: “One of the main reasons we bought the Hanwha XD38II is because we can turn up to 38 mm diameter on a sliding-head machine, which in my opinion is pretty impressive, especially when the sweet spot is from 32 to 38 mm. That’s where we have a broad diameter of parts, so it means we can expand the range of components which we can machine for customers.”

Looking at the specific attributes of the machine, Rudkin adds: “It’s a great machine and, where the tools are located, particularly the power tools, makes it easily accessible to interchange cutting tools and accelerate our set-up processes.”

Considering the FANUC 32i-Model B CNC system and the programming, Rudkin says: “I like the programming on this machine. It has broadened my knowledge because a lot of the M codes are familiar, like on a fixed-head machine. This means that my knowledge of fixed-head machines and the respective G- and M-codes will transfer directly to the Hanwha.”

With flood coolant on the new Hanwha XD38II sliding-head turning centre, ISO9001-accredited Arturn has noticed a marked improvement in tool life.

“The coolant flow on this machine is excellent and there is a high number of coolant hoses on the machine that can be moved and directed at specific tools,” says Rudkin.
For further information www.dugard.com

Small Lynx 2600 lathe range becomes larger

Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of DN Solutions’ machine tools in the UK and Ireland, has announced that the recently introduced Lynx 2600 series (comprising Y-axis and Y-axis with sub-spindle models), has been expanded with the introduction of two new machines. The 10” chuck/81 mm bar capacity Lynx 2600 and Lynx 2600M machines provide the same speed, accuracy and cutting performance as the other Lynx lathes in the series.

The Lynx 2600 and Lynx 2600M have many technology features in common. Both machines have 30 m/min rapid rates and are equipped with: 18.5 kW/3500 rpm spindles (403 Nm); high precision and rigid roller-type LM guideways; servo-driven turrets; hydraulically actuated tailstocks; and a grease-type lubrication system. The machines are also available with a choice of control (FANUC i Plus or Siemens 828D). Despite the similarities there are, however, some important differences between the two models.

The first and most obvious is that the Lynx 2600M has a C axis and driven tooling capability (5.5 kW/6000 rpm), which increases this model’s flexibility and productivity potential.
Other differences include: a larger maximum turning length and turning diameter for the Lynx 2600 model (460 and 658 mm) as opposed to 380 and 610 mm for the Lynx 2600M; and a larger capacity BMT 55P turret with the Lynx 2600M (12-tool station), as opposed to a 10-tool station with the Lynx 2600.

Says Tony Dale, Mills CNC’s CEO: “The availability of the new Lynx 2600 and Lynx 2600M models increase the appeal and attractiveness of the series, further reinforcing the proposition that DN Solutions is committed to providing component manufacturers with unrivalled choice and flexibility.”
For further information www.millscnc.co.uk

MACH prize win leads to machine investment

HepcoMotion is a specialist in linear motion technology, with its linear guide systems featuring V-guide technology adopted by machine designers across a range of sectors, including food processing and packaging, automotive (particularly EVs), renewable energy and medical. Continued product development and increased demand resulted in a need to invest in machine tools that would both improve productivity and enhance existing capacity. A visit to the XYZ Machine Tools stand at the MACH 2022 exhibition in April made that investment a little easier.

HepcoMotion’s engineering manager Ryan Berry was investigating improvements in the machining of ballscrews to support a new product launch, so a turning centre was on his list. While on the XYZ Machine Tools stand he was invited to fill out his details for entry into the now traditional XYZ prize draw, the winner of which would receive either the free use of a bed mill for 12 months or the option of a £10,000 discount off any machine in the XYZ range. Learning of his success in the draw, Berry chose the latter, placing an order for an XYZ CT 65 HD turning centre.

“We needed a turning centre that was capable of efficiently machining our hardened ball-screw ends, and the design of the CT 65 HD with its hardened box ways meant it would be robust enough for that work,” he says. “The machine also had the advantage of easy programming and quick changeover, making it ideal for both low- and high-volume work. We placed the order and were surprised to be advised that delivery would be within four weeks.”
For further information, www.xyzmachinetools.com

Fifth Nakamura ramps-up productivity

As part of its continued investment strategy, Velden Engineering has just taken delivery of a Nakamura-Tome NTY3-150 twin-spindle, three-turret turning centre from the Engineering Technology Group (ETG). The new addition will produce high-volume components beyond the size capacity of the company’s sliding-head turning centres.

Based in Bolton, Velden says it was the first UK job shop to achieve ISO9001 in 1987 and has since won a multitude of prestigious OEM contracts and awards. In 2012, the manufacturer acquired its first Nakamura-Tome turning centre, a compact WT100 twin-spindle, twin-turret machine.

The relationship with ETG blossomed and, in 2013, the company took delivery of a larger Nakamura-Tome WT150II twin-spindle, twin-turret turning centre with an upper turret Y axis after winning a new contract. Four years later, a second WT150II was planned to service an increase in demand, but with no machines available in European stock at that time, ETG loaned Velden an AS200. As it turns out, the Nakamura AS200 was perfect for certain lower volume projects with its fast set-up and programming. The result was Velden taking delivery of the second WT150II and purchasing the AS200 that had been loaned.

As part of its continuous improvement strategy, the company replaced its oldest Nakamura, the first WT100 machine that arrived almost a decade ago, with a brand new WT150II which arrived in November. The new Nakamura-Tome NTY3-150 has since followed.

“As three-turret machine, all with Y axes, the Nakamura NTY3-150 machine opens up a greater opportunity to do even more simultaneous machining,” explains Lee Valentine, plant manager at Velden. “On one specific part that we’ve transferred to the NTY3-150, we have seen a reduced cycle time of 40%.”
For further information www.engtechgroup.com