The G320 twin-spindle turn-mill centre from German lathe manufacturer Index, featuring two lower tool turrets and an upper B-axis milling spindle head, is a new addition to the company’s product range. Together with the new G300 that utilises a third turret in place of the tool spindle, the machines complete the German manufacturer’s range for the turning and milling of complex, medium-size components in one hit. The sole sales and service agent for the UK, Ireland and Gulf markets is Kingsbury.

Capable of machining components up to 1400 mm long, the G320 joins a larger G420 model, introduced in 2018, the success of which led to the swift addition of an even bigger, more powerful G520 variant and a smaller version, the G220. These other sizes of machine have equivalent options that deploy an upper turret rather than a B-axis spindle.

All four model sizes share the same design, based on generously dimensioned linear guideways in the X and Z axes, and a rigid, mechanically and thermally stable, mineral-cast monoblock machine bed with good vibration damping characteristics. Rapid traverse rates are up to 50 m/min.

Notably, the milling spindle of the G320, positioned above the centreline of the identical, twin-opposed main and counter spindles, has -25 to +205° of B-axis swivel and 250 mm of Y-axis movement in addition to X/Z linear travels of 620/1400 mm. Full five-axis machining at either work spindle is therefore possible in conjunction with the C axes.

The tool spindle rating is 16.6 kW/72 Nm/12,000 rpm (100% DC) or 16 kW/45 Nm/18,000 rpm (100% DC), while the tool magazine has space for up to 111 tools (HSK-T63 or Capto C6).

For further information
www.kingsburyuk.com

Delden-based Bredel, a manufacturer of industrial hose pumps, has invested in a M65-G MillTurn centre from WFL, which is has UK representation from Kyal Machine Tools. In order to make the best use of the productivity and capabilities of the turn-mill centre, the WFL machine is equipped with a large tool magazine, an automation solution from Promot and a quick-change jaw system from Schunk. With the complete installation, Bredel can produce various parts for hose pumps unmanned and with short throughput times.

At peak, Bredel wishes to use the new machine for 120 hours per week, with staff required for just one day shift. In order to achieve this level of utilisation, Bredel has opted for an automated production process.

Bertus Groteboer, senior manufacturing engineer at Bredel, says: “The decision to opt for a new turn-mill centre was already on the cards. Although these types of machine are much more expensive, the ROI is significantly better because you can combine machining processes, which means two separate machines are no longer necessary. We can therefore fully machine pump parts with both turning and milling operations in one set-up.”

The new WFL M65 G has a nominal centre distance of 2000 mm. Both spindles have an output of 56 kW: the two spindles and milling spindle allow for the complete machining of workpieces.

Thanks to the new automated turn-mill centre that can machine small batches flexibly, Bredel has reduced the throughput time for a set of pump parts from three days to just one. In addition, the manufacturer can respond much more quickly to urgent orders. Bredel is aiming ultimately to achieve 5500 spindle hours per year with its new M65-G MillTurn.

For further information
www.kyalmachinetools.co.uk

In September 2020, Banbury-based precision subcontract specialist MRN Engineering, invested in a new Doosan DNM 5700 vertical machining centre from Mills CNC. Virtually 12 months later, the company acquired its second Doosan machine: a 6-inch chuck Lynx 2100LYA multi-tasking lathe equipped with a 15 kW/6000 rpm spindle, driven tooling capability (6000 rpm), integrated Y axis (±52.5mm), 12-station turret and programmable tailstock, and Fanuc 0iTP control with a 15-inch touchscreen.

“To ensure high-productivity, machining flexibility and overall competitiveness I decided to explore multi-tasking, multi-axis lathes rather than going for an entry-level two-axis machine,” explains managing director Matt North.

The fact that a Lynx 2100LYA lathe was in stock at Mills CNC’s campus facility in Leamington and ready for immediate delivery, made the decision to invest a relatively straightforward one.

Since installation, the Lynx 2100LY has significantly strengthened MRN Engineering’s machining capabilities. The company can quote machining work that involves both turning and milling operations more accurately, quickly and successfully. No longer having to outsource turning work to third parties has also resulted in MRN Engineering being more competitive, better able to achieve tight customer deadlines, and more in control of its machining operations and business performance.

Says North: “We’re now in a win-win position. Being able to handle milling and turning work in-house makes life easier for us and our customers.”

To help increase its turning capabilities further still, MRN Engineering has recently invested in a new Hydrafeed Multifeed 65 electro-pneumatic bar feeder, which is now integrated with the Lynx 2100LY.

“Automating the Lynx means that we can now machine larger batch sizes and run the machine unattended,” concludes North. “As a result, I’m able to improve operational efficiencies, and reduce job set-up times and component costs.”

For further information
www.millscnc.co.uk

Now available in the UK from the Engineering Technology Group (ETG), the new 715 series turn-mill centre from the Chiron Group demonstrates its autonomous capabilities by machining components on all six sides.

Developed upon the Chiron FZ08 S turn-mill precision+ and Stama MT 733 bar machining centres (also available from ETG), the new arrival fits perfectly into the Chiron Group portfolio. With its combination of speed and precision, the 715 series is suitable for demanding machining tasks in the medical technology, aerospace, energy and automotive industries.

Two versions of the machine are available, which ETG can tailor and configure in a variety of ways. The two types of machine, the Chiron MT715 (Mill Turn) and Chiron MP715 (Multi Profile), encompass four expansion levels for turning and milling operations in any order. Notably, the swivel head, rotary spindle and opposing spindle enable continuous multifunctional machining on all six sides. Both ensure high reliability and quality, especially for components such as hip stems, turbine blades or extrusions for chassis or battery storage.

Both machines have space for 128 tools and boast integrated component handling with workpiece storage. As a result, the machines fulfil all the demands for the automated manufacturing of workpieces in small and medium batch sizes with unmanned processing. The new machine platform is also set up to integrate digital systems from the Chiron SmartLine portfolio.

For further information
www.engtechgroup.com

Electric cars still account for a relatively small proportion of total car sales, and a trend toward rapid growth for electric car production is still a long way off. But there are exceptions, as demonstrated using EMAG Scherer’s technology at a supplier in Central America. A total of 12 CNC vertical turning centres of type VDZ 520 XL ensure that up to 3000 stator housings, used solely in electric car motors, are machined every day.

Eight processes take place on the stator housing in only 240 seconds of chip-to-chip time. Ultimately it is possible to produce about 320 components per machine and day, although the customer ordered six machines to produce higher quantities. In the meantime, 12 machines are in use, which shows this solution is meeting expectations in every respect.

The finished component has a wall thickness of just 4 mm, with tolerances of only 0.016 to 0.25 mm and very precise roundness. At the same time, there are many bore holes and grooves, and the geometry is not rotationally symmetric.

Using the VDZ 520 XL, eight cutting processes take place in succession on the injection-cast blank – from the highly precise roughing and finishing of internal surfaces, external connecting surfaces and sintered bushes, to the milling of grooves and the drilling or milling of various cross and oblong holes.

The customised clamping solution from SAV has a special role, aligning and centring the sensitive component with high precision. Furthermore, the entire design of the machine is advantageous. Its vertical machining configuration ensures optimal chip flow despite the closed stator housing, while its synchronous drive technology with 64.4 kW power and 1110 Nm nominal torque ensures reliable, quick processes.

For further information
www.emag.com