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

Hardinge has introduced its newly upgraded Hardinge Talent 42/51 multi-tasking CNC lathe, which the company now manufactures in the USA. Designed to work with a number of different types of work-holding systems, the new Talent 42/51 provides machine shops with a highly versatile turning centre complete with new Fanuc 0i-F Plus control.

“We’ve been a proud partner of American manufacturing since the 1890s and are excited to have our Talent series lathes produced under the same roof as our Super-Precision turning centres at Hardinge’s Elmira, NY location,” says Jeremy Michael, the company’s director of turning and milling. “It is through domestic production that Hardinge can provide the quality, flexibility and responsiveness required by our customers to help them succeed in today’s competitive manufacturing world.”

The new Talent machine offers a combination of features for accuracy, flexibility and durability in a compact design. Notably, the novel collet-ready main and sub-spindle concept will increase part accuracy and improve surface finish, says the company.

Other key features of the upgraded model include machining specifications up to 12 axes, six spindle axes and two paths. Users can perform four-axis simultaneous or 3+2 axis machining. Multiple configurations are available, including live tooling, Y axis and sub-spindle variants.

With the FANUC 0i-F Plus CNC system, users can take advantage of conversational programming via Manual Guide i, as well as improved processing power with 400-block look-ahead capability and enhanced safety thanks to FANUC’s Dual Check safety function.

The upgraded Hardinge Talent 42/51 made its debut appearance at the recent PMTS exhibition in Cleveland, Ohio.

For further information www.hardinge.com

A CNC turning centre provides potential users with multiple choices to configure a machine to their precise needs. Launched by DMG Mori at the EMO Milano exhibition in October, the NZ platform is available as a DUE, TRE or QUATTRO model, having two, three or four turrets respectively. Each also has an 80 mm Y axis and the possibility of having a -10 to +100° B axis. The built-in 16 kW/12,000 rpm/24 Nm motor has either 12 live stations for VDI 30 tools or 16 stations for VDI 25 tools.

DMG Mori’s new machine is available in two bed sizes, a short version for workpieces up to 740 mm long and a larger version for workpieces to a maximum length of 1290 mm. A magazine for feeding bar stock up to 65 mm diameter is available, with the potential for the chucking of billets up to 120 mm diameter. Even with a 4 m bar feed, only 17.8 sq m of shop floor space is required.

Suitable for use on the long-bed lathe, but also possible on the short-bed version, an optional, double-sided, twin spindle can be mounted in the Z axis between the 5000 rpm (optionally 7000 rpm) main and counter spindles. Able to accept up to 65 mm diameter workpieces, it effectively divides the machine into two twin-spindle work areas and may be used for turning at up to 4000 rpm. When machining longer workpieces, it functions as a hydraulic steady rest or a Swiss-type unit with a 5000 rpm rotating guide bush.

A symmetrical, thermally stable bed ensures stability and precision during machining. Other merits of the machine include ergonomic accessibility to the working area and efficient chip evacuation.

For further information
www.dmgmori.com