Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of Doosan machine tools in the UK and Ireland, has supplied a large-capacity vertical turning lathe to Unilathe Ltd, a precision subcontract specialist based in Stoke-on-Trent. The machine, a Fanuc controlled Doosan VT1100, has been positioned adjacent to another Doosan VT1100 machine to create a flexible, high-productivity vertical turning cell.

Components are typically machined in small batches, and are made from hard and difficult-to-machine materials that include titanium, Inconel and Jethete (a corrosion-resistant, hardened and tempered steel). A primary objective behind the new VT1100 investment was Unilathe’s desire, and determination, to secure new aerospace business.
Explains Andrew Sims, Unilathe’s managing director: “Our efforts have been [and are] focused on repositioning Unilathe in the sector. We want to move away from being perceived as a company that only offers first and second-stage machining of castings and forgings, to one that can machine and deliver high integrity components from start to finish to aerospace customers – similar to what we provide for customers in other sectors and industries.”
A strategic audit undertaken by the company examined its internal machining capabilities and revealed that its future aerospace ambitions would be well served by strengthening its vertical turning capacity and, in particular, by acquiring an additional vertical lathe adept at undertaking roughing, semi-finishing and finishing operations on aerospace components like rings, seals and rotor shafts.
Says Sims: “We are an advocate of Doosan machine tools; they perform well, are reliable and represent good value. The fact that they are backed by Mills CNC’s applications and aftersales service and support, makes them even more of an attractive proposition.”
For further information www.millscnc.co.uk

Index has released a newly developed version of the MS32 six-spindle automatic, with UK availability via sole sales and service agent, Kingsbury. Designed for the series production of precision turned parts from bar up to 32 mm diameter, the machine is quick to set, lowering the economical batch size, and has flexibility in the way it can be configured, extending its range of application.

Notably, the main spindles have a higher maximum speed, up from 7000 to 8000 rpm, and over 50% more power at 19 kW. The multi-spindle machine can be equipped with six pairs of V-shaped cross slides and X, Y, Z axes at each spindle position, with the option of a simpler single-axis NC grooving or drilling/boring slide to serve any of the six spindles. The ability to select speeds and feeds independently at each spindle results in optimal chipping, maximum surface quality, extended tool life and short production times, even when processing exotic materials, says the company.
All cross slides now have a W serration that matches a similar feature ground into the tool holder, whether for a live or static cutter, facilitating its alignment to micron accuracy and speeding set-up. The operator can pre-set the holder externally, then place it on the slide and fix it in position using a quick clamping device from Index. Only a quick turn with the wrench renders the holder ready to use.
Another improvement relates to simultaneous rear end-working capability, as either one or two swivelling, C-axis synchro-spindles now position themselves in two NC axes on a pair of slide-ways, rather than one, and may be equipped with up to six tools, half of which may be driven.
For further information www.kingsburyuk.com

Headquartered near Barcelona, in Catalonia, Vilardell specialises in the production of precision parts with high added value and comprises two divisions, the Medical Division and the Industrial Division. Within the Industrial Division, manager Jordi Roy Torras says Vilardell has focused on the production of highly complex parts for some time: “This is our core competence; something we have developed year-after-year and part-by-part.

“We employ 165 staff and they are very important to us,” continues Torras. “Each and every one of us has to remain innovative – irrespective of his or her position or function within the company – that’s essential for our business.”
Luckily, the company has invested in technology from Tornos. The long-standing collaboration means that Vilardell now boasts an inventory of equipment which includes a small number of single-spindle cam machines (T-4, R-10 and MS7) and a large number of multi-spindle models (AS 14, SAS 16 and SAS 16 DC). In terms of CNC machines, the company’s fleet includes the Deco 10, Deco 13, Deco 20, Sigma 20 and EvoDeco 16 machines.
Recently, Vilardell purchased a MultiSwiss 6×16, but what made the company opt for this machine?
“The choice was driven by rational motivation,” says Torras. “In terms of technical specifications, the machine is simply the best on the market. However, we had to also consider the restricted space in our plant. The MultiSwiss boasts the most compact footprint and is definitely the most efficient machine available.
“At first sight, small footprint may seem to be trivial, but it makes all the difference,” says Torras. “The machine is really doing well and the fact that it is equipped with a container comprising all peripherals is a key advantage.”
For further information www.tornos.com

A range of multi-tasking twin-spindle, twin-turret turning centres with Y-axis capability on their upper and lower turrets, has been launched into the UK marketplace by Mills CNC: the TT1300SYY (42/51 mm bar diameter capacity) and larger TT2100SYY (65/81 mm).

The Doosan TT1300SYY and TT2100SYY are flexible machines and can be employed in a number of ways. For instance, twin-turret capability allows simultaneous OD and ID cutting to occur on a part located in the machine’s main spindle. Alternatively, the simultaneous milling and turning of components in the machine’s main and sub-spindle enables multiple finished parts to be completed in one cycle, while a further option is to combine operations by machining one side of a part in the main spindle before being finished in (transferred to) the sub-spindle.
Mills CNC’s technical director Tony Dale says: “Doosan TT machines have a reputation in the market for their accuracy, speed and reliability. The new machines, with their dual Y-axis capability, build on this legacy and take these strengths, along with productivity and efficiency, to a whole new dimension.”
As well as having Y-axis capability on their upper and lower turrets, the new machines also feature LM roller-type guides on the axes, up to 40 m/min rapid rates, and 11 kW/6000 rpm/93 Nm spindle performance on the TT1300SYY (15 kW/6000 rpm/ 116 Nm on the TT2100SYY).
Also featured are high capability sub-spindles – 11 kW/6000 rpm for both models – while a low-friction ballscrew design mitigates the effects of thermal drift. Furthermore, both machines feature the Doosan Easy Operation Package for programming, and a Doosan grease lubrication system.
For further information www.millscnc.co.uk

Lathes have many uses, some of which are less conventional than others, like gear skiving. A case in point can be seen at one of Europe’s largest specialist manufacturers and suppliers of gear racks, pinions, leadscrews and nuts, Halifax Rack & Screw (HRS), which has recently started producing round gears at its Brighouse factory in West Yorkshire.

For machining round gears accurately and quickly, the firm has invested in a gear skiving machine: an Okuma Multus U3000-2SW from NCMT. Already installed and operational, this bar-fed, multi-tasking lathe is about to be fitted with automation equipment to further speed the handling of components, free up more operator time and make the process even more efficient.
Sales engineer at HRS, Simon Matthews, who has been heavily involved in the project, says: “For the medium-to-large batch production of gears, skiving has become the technology of choice. For example, in the case of the first three gears we are producing for our US customer, Vermeer, the 25 minute cycle times for the two larger gears would be three to four times longer by hobbing or using other gear cutting machines. We opted for the Multus from Okuma, as it was the first multi-function machine manufacturer to develop a generic platform for skiving precision gears to DIN5 quality.”
A crucial element in gear skiving on a multi-tasking lathe is being able to synchronise accurately the B-axis rotary movement of the upper tool spindle carrying the skiving tool, with the C-axis rotation of the main spindle – functionality for which the Multus is noted.
For further information www.ncmt.co.uk