WFL Millturn Technologies presented two turning-boring-milling machines at EMO 2023 in Hanover last month: the M50 MILLTURN/3000 mm and the M80X MILLTURN/4500 mm. WFL machines are available in the UK from Kyal Machine Tools.

Visitors could experience the M80X live with a demonstration of gear shaft machining, including measurement of the gear teeth. Both machines feature a new design and come with the Sinumerik ONE control.

The M80X MILLTURN with 4500 mm machining length and 1000 mm turning diameter features a grinding attachment and a vibration-damped Silent Tools Plus boring bar. Visitors could see the machine’s capabilities for themselves with a live machining demonstration involving a gear shaft measuring 800 mm in diameter and 1824 mm in length. During the demonstration, the machine produced gear teeth using WFL FLANC cycles.

On the M50 MILLTURN/3000 mm, WFL provided live machining of a power generation shaft, as well as turbine blades and fir tree, impeller and generator shaft profiles. The demonstration workpiece had a diameter of 600 mm and a length of 2355 mm.

WFL turning-boring-milling machines now feature Sinumerik ONE from Siemens with its new user interface. The new machine control is modern and user-friendly, while the integrated SIMATIC S7-1500F PLC enables PLC cycle times that are up to 10 times faster than its predecessor. Boasting a selection of innovative functions, Sinumerik ONE optimises machining speed, contour accuracy and machining quality. According to WFL Millturn, Sinumerik ONE makes machine tools more productive and therefore faster, more flexible and more efficient.
For further information www.wfl.at/en

At the EMO exhibition in Hanover last month, Takisawa Japan took the opportunity to shine the spotlight on four new machines as part of its new ‘green machinery’ range. With these energy-saving solutions, customers will be able to reduce their waste and carbon emissions.

The new smart machines utilise software developed by Takisawa that monitors energy and optimises and monitors processes. These features aim to reduce carbon footprint and save on energy consumption.

The four new machines exhibited at EMO 2023 were: the TMX-4000IIST, a multi-tasking turn-mill machine with simultaneous five-axis machining capabilities; the TT-2600IIWGA, a two-spindle CNC lathe; the TM-3000Y2, a two-turret (both with Y axes) multi-tasking machine; and the TMS-2000YS, a twin-spindle CNC lathe with a single turret and Y axis.
Takisawa’s UK representative, Ward CNC, will shortly receive the TM-3000Y2 in stock.

Takisawa Taiwan, which Ward CNC also represents, also put forward four new models at EMO: the NX-2000YS, NX-2500YS, VTL-760 and LA-350YL16. The NX-2000 series is the new generation of Takisawa economic two-spindle turning centre, while the new NX-2500YS comprises an improved slant-bed structure.

Additionally, Takisawa Taiwan ushered in the new VTL-760 vertical turning centre, which has a box-shaped design with minimal thermal deformation. Also on the stand was the LA-350Y, a high-rigidity turn-mill centre featuring Takisawa’s own gearbox for heavy-duty cutting.

Ward CNC’s executive director Stephen Bodsworth says: “The ever-evolving development in machine tool technology from our partners, paralleled with the recent strategic enhancements we’ve made to our sales, after-sales, service and technical engineering teams, means we can continue to provide first-class service and coverage to our customers.”

In other news, Ward CNC has a new partnership with Gurutzpe, a Spanish company that designs and manufactures CNC multi-tasking lathes.
For further information www.wardcnc.com

During metal cutting, the bearings in a machining centre spindle take a load from the side and another along the spindle axis, as well as resonance from the cutting process. While the spindle is rotating, the effects of these loads dissipate across each ball or roller bearing within the spindle assembly. However, when the spindle is static, for example when it is holding a turning tool, the loads and vibrations can cause premature wear and eventually lead to expensive repair or replacement.

Mindful of this, Burkhardt + Weber (B+W) is launching a hydraulically-actuated, four-point clamping system on the spindle head of its heavy-duty, multi-tasking machines for use during turning operations. The system eliminates both the radial and axial forces on the spindle, the former being particularly damaging and prevalent during facing operations or when grooving or profiling a bore. The result is minimal spindle wear during the high-accuracy mill-turning of components in a single set-up. Kingsbury is the sole sales and service agent for B+W machines in the UK, Ireland and Gulf region.

Multi-tasking on a mill-drill centre by turning a component on the rotary table with a static turning tool clamped in the spindle as part of a single set-up is commonplace, but most configurations on the market tend to be based on light- to medium-sized platforms. With the B+W solution, similar technology is available to address one-hit production applications involving much more rigorous machining of larger components made from tougher materials.

Before the turning element of a machining cycle commences, the ATC transports the customisable tool-holder plate with a large, 160 mm diameter contact area to the four-point clamping system on the front of the spindle head (with hydraulic retention of the holder). As the entire process is autonomous, there is no operator intervention or interruption to the production cycle.
For further information www.kingsburyuk.com

Tornos unveiled its Swiss XT machine range at EMO in Hanover last month. Designed to meet the intricate needs of various industries, including medical, automotive and hydraulics/pneumatics, the Swiss XT range stands out for its versatility. Two models, the Swiss XT 16 and Swiss XT 32, accommodate 16 and 32 mm diameter bars respectively, supported by up to six live tools, including rotary tools for high-end operations.

The new Swiss XT range is of modular design, with seamless integration of additional features, like a plug-and-play B axis.

Tornos’ stand at EMO also featured the SwissNano 4 which, thanks to its kinematics, can produce two-thirds of the parts of a mechanical watch, from the simplest to the most complex, while guaranteeing surface quality. This machine’s performance is not limited to watchmaking: it is useful wherever there are requirements for quality and precision, such as the manufacture of dental implants and connectors for electronic components. These kinematics ensure a balance between rigidity and thermal stability, enabling the machine to reach operating temperature quickly and save precious production time.

Another highlight was the Swiss GT 13 B, a machine that Tornos says is unique in its class for featuring a B axis that can hold up to eight rotating tools. This six-linear axis machine for crafting intricate parts is a good choice for specialised applications, such as manufacturing dental abutments.

The stand also featured the Swiss DT 38 HP with a focus on its full capabilities. In a demonstration highlighting its versatility and multi-program functionalities, the machine produced an aluminium loupe.
For further information www.tornos.com