Japanese machine tool manufacturer Okuma has incorporated a robotic arm inside its CNC turning centres for the automated production of shaft- and chuck-type components. The sole UK and Ireland agent for Okuma is NCMT.

One of the first Okuma lathes to benefit from an internal ‘Armroid’ (Arm Robot Intelligent Design) workpiece load/unload system is the LB 3000 EX II, one of which is available for demonstration in NCMT’s Coventry showroom.

Three different end-of-arm effectors are available for performing different tasks. One is for blasting air or coolant within the cutting zone. This effector can be programmed to follow the cutting tool for breaking up stringy swarf or to clean down the whole working area, greatly improving chip management.

A roller end effector provides support under a shaft component during cutting to minimise chatter.

In combination with a workpiece stacker, the third end effector is a two-finger gripper for automatically holding shaft-type workpieces around their circumference for loading and unloading, with total weight capacity being 5 kg. All three end effectors are stored within the machine for automatic exchange by the robot.

It is possible to integrate a longer, more powerful Armroid into a second Okuma turning centre, a Multus B250II multi-tasking lathe. 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 release the operator to carry out duties in other parts of the factory. However, the cells are not for the lights-out production of large quantities of the same part due to the limited number of workpieces that the stocker can accommodate.

For further information
www.ncmt.co.uk

At the EMO Milano exhibition in October, Tornos took the opportunity to launch its new range of Swiss DT machines. Designed to evolve with the needs of manufacturers, the new Swiss DT range meets the diverse requirements associated with machining long and short parts from 2 to 38 mm diameter bar stock.

Thanks to Tornos’ 130 years of experience in bar turning, the company says that the latest Swiss DT range is an affordable solution that offers the market’s best value. The machine is based on relatively traditional kinematics with five linear axes. Machine shops can produce highly complex parts by adding a range of options compatible with all Tornos machines.

Special operations are the forte of Swiss DT machines. For example, users can produce medical threads by adding a thread-whirling device, making it is possible to create a polyaxial screw for spinal surgery on a Swiss DT 26. Polygon milling or gear hobbing is a further possibility.
The Swiss DT range was just one of the highlights of the Tornos stand at EMO Milano. For example, the SwissDECO 36 now has a new option for machining bars up to 42 mm in diameter.

Since its launch, Tornos says that the SwissDECO has become the reference for bar-turning machines producing large diameter, complex parts. According to the company, its power and infinite potential have enabled the production of parts that have been impossible to machine until now. Fast and precise, this machine is well suited to the production of highly complex parts. Today, a new 42 mm option is added to the broad range of options already offered by the SwissDECO.

For further information
www.tornos.com

Founded in 1955, Skelmersdale-based Kirkham Engineering has established a reputation as a specialist in the production of repetition turned parts on CNC fixed-head and sliding-head machines. With decades of experience and a machine inventory supplied by a host of manufacturers down the generations, the latest machine to be installed is a Nakamura Tome AS-200L turning centre from the Engineering Technology Group (ETG).

The Nakamura AS-200-LMYSF follows a previous AS-200L acquisition from ETG that arrived in 2017.

Financial director Barry Lynam says: “The AS-200-LMYSF can be set-up extremely quickly and this gives us flexibility for small batch runs of fast turnaround parts. It can respond far quicker than our more complex machines. The machine has a large work envelope in a small footprint and is extremely robust, which is perfect for heavy-duty cutting.”

Supplied as a complete package by ETG, the AS-200-LMYSF arrived with tooling, a Hydrafeed MSV-65 bar feed (plus BSU bar support unit to give 1.5 m) and a swarf conveyor, making the machine ready-to-run on the day it arrived. The machine has a maximum turning diameter of 280 mm with a maximum through-spindle bar diameter of 65 mm.

“We already have highly capable twin-spindle and twin-turret machines, but we wanted something that had a smaller footprint and was faster to program and get up and running – the AS-200L fitted the bill,” says Lynam. “Unlike the larger machines, the AS-200-LMYSF is the latest-generation machine with the new FANUC CNC and NT Machine Simulation and NT Collision Guard from Nakamura Tome. This allows us to rapidly program and simulate our components, and run the first part with confidence and speed.”

For further information
www.engtechgroup.com

The first sliding-head turn-milling centre to be installed at the Ferndown, Dorset factory of Air Bearings Ltd (ABL) is a Citizen Cincom L20-VIIILFV. Notably, the machine has brought in-house the production of nearly all shaft-type components, saving around £8000 per month previously spent on subcontract Swiss-type turning. As a consequence, the machine paid for itself within 18 months.

ABL only purchases top-end machine tools to meet the levels of precision required and ensure the rotational motion of its air bearing spindles to within a couple of microns. The shaft assembly, with its six key parts, is especially critical.

ABL’s senior production controller Dave Stacey says: “Take the collet, for example, which is produced from 13 mm diameter tool steel bar. The concentricity of the front bore to the taper is tied up to 30 µm TIR. Dimensional tolerances on diameter and length need to be within 50 µm, or sometimes 25 µm to allow post machining to sub-micron accuracy, while there is a 6 µm limit in the bore.

“Originally, before our decision to use subcontract services, these collets were machined in-house in two operations – turning and boring on a fixed-head lathe and then drilling of eight radial holes on a machining centre,” he continues. “This time-consuming process led to our pre-finishing department only producing the quantity needed, which could be as low as 15-off, yet external heat treatment and stress relieving before final finishing still cost £250 a time, irrespective of component quantity.

“Now, with single-hit turn-milling of the collets on the Cincom L20, we run off typically 500, representing three months’ supply, at a fraction of the cost of subcontracting them out, added to which we can take full advantage of the fixed-cost heat-treatment service.”

For further information
www.citizenmachinery.co.uk

Following a series of major investments at its Worcester-based manufacturing plant, Yamazaki Mazak has commenced the production of a number of models from its Quick Turn series of turning centres. The models include the Quick Turn 350, 350MY and 350MSY, taking the total number of UK-made Mazak machine tools to eight.

Previously manufactured at the company’s manufacturing facility in Minokamo, Japan, Mazak says the Quick Turn 350 series offers high-performance turning from a compact footprint. Models now manufactured at Mazak’s Worcester site include the standard Quick Turn 350, as well as those with milling and Y-axis functionality, (MY), and milling, second spindle and Y-axis capability (MSY).

Jason Butler, sales director – UK & Eire sales & service division at Yamazaki Mazak, says: “While the past 18 months have certainly been among the most challenging in living memory for UK manufacturing, Mazak’s strategic investment plan has remained undeterred. We are now seeing the benefits of focused spend throughout our European manufacturing plant, which has allowed us to increase the volume of models manufactured here by over a third.

“The Quick Turn 350 series is an incredibly diverse family of machine tools, and is closely aligned to the machining needs of customers here and in mainland Europe,” he continues. “As society continues its journey to fully reopening, our European Technology Centre remains open to both existing and prospective customers. For those unable to travel in person, we have also invested in a virtual ‘digital twin’ of the ETC, which features an interactive overview of all machines currently installed.”

For further information
www.mazakeu.co.uk