FEATURE ON CNC LATHES AND TURNING CENTRES

Tornos secures orders at MACH 2018

MACH 2018, held at the Birmingham NEC last month, got off to a flier for Tornos with two verbal orders for the Swiss GT26 from day one being signed and confirmed on day two.

This was rapidly followed by an order for a CT20 with a number of additional enquiries turning into firm orders in the two weeks after the show.
With the SwissNano micro-turning solution and the robust GT32 on the stand, the diversity of turning solutions certainly appealed to show visitors. This was indicative of the orders received, with the heavy duty GT26 being chosen by a medical specialist for its ergonomic and modular configuration on a robust platform. The GT range also allows B-axis machining and the option of simultaneous five-axis machining. According to Tornos, the smaller, second-generation CT20 turning centre was selected for its ability to work with or without a guide bush, while offering more tools in counter spindle operations and the ability to run with a choice of mineral or soluble oil. Selected by a medical and scientific subcontractor, the CT20 has undoubtedly been a machine of interest since its launch.
The SwissNano machine that appeared on the stand is said to be unlike any other machine in the marketplace, and its ability to offer precision machining of turned parts below 4 mm impressed a number of MACH visitors.
Commenting upon the show, UK account manager David Dunn, says: “Winning orders and picking up leads at the show really demonstrates why the show is a ‘must-attend’ event for the industry. The lead generation from MACH is extremely diverse, with interest from a complete spectrum of industry sectors, geographical locations and application requirements.”
For further information www.tornos.com

Typhoon CNC turning centres unveiled

At last month’s MACH 2018 exhibition at the Birmingham NEC, Colchester Machine Tool Solutions (formerly 600 UK), launched its new range of Typhoon CNC turning centres. Both the linear and box-way Typhoon models were showcased at the event.

The latest Typhoon series introduces Colchester’s next generation in CNC turning, following on from the Tornado range. Colchester offers Typhoon models as a choice of either quick, low-friction linear (L series) or heavy-duty boxway (B series) turning centres. All are available with variations of two-axis, C-axis, sub-spindle and Y-axis functions in a range of bar capacities to suit all turning applications.
Typhoon CNC turning centres are fitted with the latest Fanuc Oi-TF control system with Manual Guide i, and are all manufactured with a one-piece cast-iron base featuring a 30° slant-bed design that gives a low centre of gravity and a better ergonomic design, maximising precision cutting, regardless of component complexity.
Typhoon models are available with numerous options for customers to get the best from any of their complex machine tool requirements.
Paul Rushworth, sales director of Colchester Machine Tool Solutions says: “We have looked long and hard at our next generation of turning centres and the Typhoon range gives us everything and more.”
For further information www.colchester.co.uk

Heptron going global with renewable energy systems

Heptron Manufacturing, a specialist in innovative flywheel-based energy storage systems, is looking to license its patented technology around the world, a move that had led to new investment in machine tools.

“We initially put machining out to subcontract, but as things developed, we were constantly facing delays in production, so the decision was taken to invest in our own machining capacity,” says managing director Gary Murphy. “An ex-colleague of ours is a service engineer with XYZ Machine Tools, so we talked to him and then got the area sales manager in for a chat. He sat us down, looked at what we needed and suggested a solution, the result being the arrival of an SLX 1630 ProTurn lathe and an XYZ 1000LR vertical machining centre.”
XYZ says that the SLX 1630 ProTurn lathe is proving a popular choice for those companies making the transition from manual to CNC turning. The machine makes use of the latest ProtoTrak SLX control system that ensures even one-off and small batches are produced with high efficiency.
The simplicity of the conversational programming means that even those with limited or no CNC experience can be producing complex components in a matter of hours of the machine being installed, says the company. Regarding the specification of the SLX 1630, a 400 mm swing over bed, 760 mm between centre distance and 54 mm spindle bore is combined with a 5.75 kW spindle offering a speed range of 150-2500 rpm, to create a versatile package for prototype and small batch production.
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

Making light work of heavy applications

Soon after taking delivery of a Harrison Alpha 1550XS CNC lathe from 600 UK, Blackburn-based subcontractor Fairbrother and Grimshaw witnessed an upturn in orders, utilising the versatility of the Alpha lathes for taking on larger capacity turn-mill jobs.

Neil Grimshaw, company director, says: “We are firm believers of pushing what we do with current technology and standing still is not an option. The Alpha manual/CNC lathe is ideal in that sense as it’s an easy switch from turning manually to using the Alpha with the minimum of training.
“We already have some Colchester manual turning machines and a range of VMCs and CNC turning centres from many suppliers, but large-capacity turning applications were difficult for us to manage,” he continues. “The Alpha XS has helped us raise the bar and added a different dimension to our turning capability. This, in turn, has already helped spread our reputation and we are taking on more work because of it.”
The 2 m between-centres Alpha 1550XS has a swing-over-bed of 554 mm and a 104 mm spindle bore. A large 15 kW motor means that spindle speeds can reach up to 2000 rpm.
“When we purchased the Alpha, we also made use of its range of accessories, including steadies, morse tapers and four-jaw chucks, to give us the maximum flexibility,” says Grimshaw. “We did consider other lathes, but once we saw the Alpha, there was never any doubt in our minds as no other competing product could match the combination of flexibility, accuracy and value for money.”
For further information www.600uk.com

SiFab gains control with machining capability

The decision to invest in machining capacity by Rugby-based SiFab Engineering Solutions was driven by a desire to be able to control deliveries to customers, as well as manufacturing costs. However, with no formal machining training, and limited floor space, company director Simon Hall had to choose his machine tools wisely.

Hall turned to friend and business acquaintance Phil Boffin of BMS Engineering, who had gone down the same route in starting his own business, for advice. “I had used Phil for some tube work for roll cages, so knew he had invested in XYZ machines. On his advice I went along to an XYZ open day at Nuneaton with the intention of looking at a lathe. After having a ‘play’ on a couple of machines, I placed an order there and then for an XYZ SLX 1630 ProTurn lathe and an XYZ 2-OP machining centre.”
The two machines were delivered to SiFab at the end of November 2017 and, once installed, Hall went for his free training on a Friday. Come Monday morning he was producing and shipping his first parts. The conversational aspect of the ProtoTrak control on both machines made generating the first parts easy.
“I produce lots of one-off and prototype parts, and while I am confident that the first-off will be right using the Traking facility on the SLX lathe, it is also straightforward to make amendments when the customer changes things,” says Hall. “The further advantage is that I haven’t waited two weeks for a subcontractor to make these parts and been charged the earth for them.”
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com