At MACH 2022 last month, the Okuma Spaceturn LB3000 EX II turn-milling centre made its first appearance in the UK equipped with the Japanese manufacturer’s Armroid robotic arm, the first in the world to be integrated inside a CNC machine tool. All Okuma machines are sold and serviced exclusively in the UK and Ireland by NCMT.

Three different end-of-arm effector options are available for the robot, capable of performing different tasks. One is for blasting the cutting zone with a mixture of air and coolant to improve chip management. Another provides additional support during the cutting process to prevent chatter. In combination with a workpiece stocker, the third effector is a two-finger gripper for holding shaft-type workpieces weighing up to 5 kg and then automatically loading and unloading them. All three end-of-arm effectors are stored within the machine and are changed automatically by the robot.

While most conventional robotic systems require complex integration and special training for staff, Armroid needs neither. As the robot is part of the machine tool, separate system integration is unnecessary. Using Okuma’s own OSP-P300A control, an operator enters the co-ordinates for the start and finish points before the robot moves through its motions, the cycle generating automatically to avoid collisions. Roid Navi software simplifies programming using images and on-screen guides.

There exists a longer, more powerful Armroid that can be integrated into larger Okuma multi-tasking lathes. The robot arm handles workpieces up to 10 kg and possesses a fourth type of end effector with a three-jaw gripper for holding billets around their end faces. Armroid systems are suitable for high mix, small batch work. The extended periods of unattended running free the operator to carry out duties in other parts of the factory.

For further information
www.ncmt.co.uk

As a precision component manufacturer to the oil and gas, nuclear, defence, hydraulic, off-highway, automotive, and aerospace industries, Mollart Cox has invested in its first robotic machining cell to enhance flexibility and productivity. Turning to the Engineering Technology Group (ETG) and its Nakamura-Tome range of turning centres, the flexibility of the manufacturer has flourished since installing the automated cell.

Referring to why the Chesterfield-based company invested in the cell from ETG, Christopher Cox, managing director of Mollart Cox, says: “We needed an automated cell like this because we have various set-ups. Many of the parts are similar in shape but different to produce. So, the set-up was key to us, as was the ability to use a machine with or without the robot.

“We selected the Nakamura-Tome WT-150II because of the build quality,” he continues. “Additionally, ETG has a very good back-up and support service. The speed and low-noise levels are impressive, while our tooling packages work very well with the machine.”

Steve Brown, sales director at ETG, adds: “We have a fully operational automated cell that incorporates the Nakamura WT-150II turning centre and the Robojob turn assist. So, what we’re doing here is loading billets and unloading finished parts. The Robojob stores the raw material, and it has a pallet system where the finished parts collect. The beauty of the cell is that it’s a completely flexible unit, so you can produce anything from a very small component up to a larger billet, light-out. This enables anybody with a nucleus or a range of parts to move into full production.”

The Nakamura WT-150II is a twin-spindle, twin-turret machine with a Y axis on the upper turret and a 65 mm through-bore capacity.

For further information
www.engtechgroup.com

Exhibiting for the first time at the MACH 2022 exhibition last month, the GM Group took the opportunity to introduce the Victor Vturn-A20YCM and Vturn-S26/60CM single-spindle turning centres.

The Vturn A20-YCM offers Y-axis milling capability and an 8” chuck with a swing-over-bed of 700 mm, while a 52 mm diameter bar can pass through the headstock for bar-feeding applications. The machine provides X-axis travel of 150+35 mm with 600 mm in the Z axis and a Y-axis driven tooling unit that can traverse ±45 mm.

Within this spacious work envelope sits a main spindle that generates 11/18.5 kW of power with a spindle speed of 5000 rpm. Complementing the power of the spindle is a 4.5 kW motor on the driven tooling turret. This high-torque motor drives the 12-station BMT-55 tooling turret at spindle speeds up to 4000 rpm. Options include a FANUC 0i-TF CNC control, 10.4” colour display, high-pressure coolant system, part catcher, oil skimmer, programmable tailstock and more.

Also on the stand at MACH was the Victor Vturn-S26/60CM. With a 600 mm swing-over-bed and 640 mm between centres, the 6230 kg machine has a spacious work area and a compact footprint. Furthermore, with a 12-position live tooling station that can drive the 25 mm maximum tool diameter at 6000 rpm with its high torque 4.5 kW motor, the milling flexibility of the Vturn-S26/60CM facilitates productive one-hit machining.

With a bar capacity of 75 mm through the drawbar, 640 mm between centres and a maximum turning diameter of 420 mm, the Vturn-S26/60CM is suitable for both one-off components and production runs of small to medium sized parts. Like the Vturn A20-YCM, the Victor Vturn-S26/60CM is available with an extensive list of optional extras.

For further information
www.gm-cnc.com

Hartlepool-based JJ Hardy is investing in a new Mazak QTE-200 SG turning centre as a way of plugging the skills gap for CNC machinists in the northeast. The new machine will help the company to introduce an unmanned shift and keep pace with growing demand.

Managing director Andrew Pailor says: “Our plan is to get more out of what we have. We’ll use technology, including new machine tools and, in time, additional automation, to increase our capacity with one manned shift and one unmanned shift each day. The new QTE machine is an affordable solution that will be equipped with a Hydrafeed barfeed, a parts racking system for finished components and an automatic tool eye for inspection. Most importantly, we’ll also have the ability to monitor work online while it runs unmanned.”

With an eight-strong machine shop, JJ Hardy concentrates on automotive and energy work, as well as the rail sector, for which its manufactures components such as bogie parts, hangar bolts, shackles, suspension links and impellers.

Says Pailor: “We have an older Mazak turning centre that has been a good solution for us and has outperformed some of our more expensive competitor machines. However, it doesn’t have some of the equipment we need to get it running unmanned.

“The new QTE is equipped with Mazak’s latest Mazatrol innovation, SmoothEz, a touchscreen CNC,” he adds. “It’s now so easy to program that we can put CNC operators with much less experience on the machine. They can be running it, unsupervised, very quickly.”

Described as a simple and compact machine design, the QTE is equipped with a high torque spindle and 12-position drum turret, along with capacity for 12 different tools.

For further information
www.mazakeu.co.uk

At the SIAMS 2022 exhibition in Switzerland last month, Tornos took the opportunity to release its SwissNano 10 for micro-turning applications in sectors such as watchmaking, medical and dental.

SIAMS is a key event in the micro-technology industry, attracting visitors from far afield. On the Tornos stand they got to see first-hand the new SwissNano 10, which the company says increases productivity by at least 40%.

Despite its small size, the SwisssNano does not shy away from even the most difficult challenges. Now capable of machining parts up to 100 mm in length (up to 10 mm diameter), Tornos says the SwissNano stands out as a solution for any workshop looking to boost its productivity and efficiency. The machine’s footprint remains modest, despite an integrated chip conveyor, since it has been ingeniously placed under the bar feeder. This design is an adapted solution that allows for optimal management, even in a restricted space. Additionally, the SwissNano’s lower power consumption makes it a particularly energy-efficient machine, reports Tornos.

The company says that users can improve and secure autonomy with Tornos’ Active Chip Breaker Plus software, while increasing their parts portfolio with four tools and up to two live tools in back-operation.

All SwissNano machines are designed to produce small parts requiring very high precision. The kinematics allow these machine to produce a large number of watch movement parts, from simple to complex – including, for example, gear hobbing – with high surface finish.

Notably, the SwissNano’s kinematic structure was conceived for balance and thermal management, thus allowing very fast warm-up.

Joining the SwissNano 4 and SwissNano 7, the new SwissNano 10 completes and expands the range.

For further information
www.tornos.com