FEATURE ON CNC LATHES AND TURNING CENTRES

Exploring the versatility of flat-bed lathes

According to machine tool supplier Axe & Status, flat-bed lathes have emerged as indispensable tools that cater to a wide range of industrial applications. These machines, known for their versatility, play a crucial role in shaping raw materials into intricate components that drive industries forward. Axe & Status, which offers a comprehensive range of flat-bed lathes, dives into the multi-faceted applications of these machine tools to show why they are a cornerstone of modern manufacturing processes.

Flat-bed lathes, also referred to as engine lathes, feature a horizontal bed that ensures stability and accuracy during machining. The true essence of flatbed lathes lies in their versatility. From small-scale workshops to large-scale industrial facilities, these machines are suitable for a broad spread of applications. As well as production volumes, these machines enable the rapid turning of prototypes, playing a pivotal role in iterative design processes and allowing engineers to test and refine their ideas before full-scale production.

Tool and die makers also rely heavily on flat-bed lathes to produce moulds, dies and special tools, while repair and maintenance tasks are another application to benefit, facilitating the refurbishment of worn-out components. In educational settings, flat-bed lathes serve as fundamental tools for teaching machining principles.

Flat-bed lathes offer exceptional precision, making them suitable for projects that demand high levels of accuracy across production runs. Furthermore, these machines can execute multiple machining processes in a single set-up, reducing production time and enhancing overall productivity.

Axe & Status offers an array of options that extend from manual lathes, which allow for hands-on precision and control, through to advanced CNC flat-bed lathes that bring automation and high-level accuracy to machining processes.
For further information www.axestatus.com

Robot-loaded Nakamura just keeps running

UK subcontract machining companies do not get much bigger than Metaltech Precision in Somerset. As part of the Expromet Technologies Group, Metaltech’s 50,000 sq ft facility is home to more than 40 CNC turning centres, over 15 machining centres and a wide variety of conventional machines, fabrication equipment and metrology technology. The latest machine to arrive is a Nakamura-Tome WT-300 with an automated robot loading facility from the Engineering Technology Group (ETG).

Operations manager Steven Ward says: “A customer approached us with a substantial contract that required machining a significant number of different parts in volume. Although we have existing fixed-head and sliding-head turning centres, we’re conscious of how we utilise our personnel and the hours available to us in a normal working week. Our Nakamura solution allows us to operate well outside of the normal operating window. The cell works on the basis that the Nakamura, with its performance monitoring and Hydrafeed Robojob system, allows us to palletise either billets or we can bar-feed the machine.”

With through-spindle bar capacity options for bar feeding of 65, 71, 80 or 102 mm diameter material and a maximum turning diameter of 270 mm, the twin-spindle, twin-turret Nakamura-Tome WT-300 accommodates the bar-turning and billet-loading demands of Metaltech. Available with an option of the 15/11 kW or 18.5/15 kW spindle motor on the main and sub-spindle, and a maximum turning length of up to 780 mm, the heavy-duty Nakamura-Tome WT-300 is an all-round performer.

Discussing if the automation route is the only way to remain competitive, Ward says: “You have two expensive assets in your business, one is machinery and the other is personnel. You have to consider how you best utilise both of those assets.”
For further information www.engtechgroup.com

World premiere from DMG Mori at EMO

With the new CTX 450 and CTX 550, DMG Mori presented at EMO last month the two larger sister models of the CTX 350 introduced previously at Open House Pfronten 2023. The CTX 450 and CTX 550 feature a main and counter spindle, as well as a Y axis with 130 mm of travel, to facilitate the complete six-sided machining of complex workpieces. A turning diameter of 480 mm and a turning length of 800 mm, or 1225 mm for the CTX 550, offer maximum flexibility for customers.

The CTX 450 and CTX 550 reflect DMG Mori’s four pillars of process integration, automation, digital transformation and green transformation. It is possible to automate this six-sided complete machining in various ways – for example with the Robo2Go or the Matris systems. App-based control with a 24″ multi-touch screen simplifies digitisation on the shop floor, while modern drives such as the synchronous spindle motors ensure energy-efficient operation.

The CTX 450 has a main spindle offering 4000 rpm and 360 Nm. The main spindle of the larger model achieves 770 Nm at 3250 rpm. In addition, the counter spindle has a speed of 5500 rpm and a torque of 192 Nm (CTX 550: 4000 rpm and 360 Nm). The turnMASTER spindle concept with three (ISM80) or four bearings (ISM102) ensures precision, supported by a large bar capacity (80 or 102 mm).

Positioning accuracy in the C axis is 0.001°. Among the options is a direct-drive turret with speed of up to 10,000 rpm and torque of 42 Nm.
For further information www.dmgmori.com

WFL Millturn takes it to the next level

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

Post-EMO open house at Citizen Machinery UK

Manufacturers wishing to learn more about the latest CNC sliding-head and fixed-head turning centres from Citizen Machinery UK, but who perhaps were unable to attend the EMO 2023 machine tool trade fair in Hanover last month, can instead attend the company’s open house at its Turning Centre of Excellence in the West Midlands this week (3-5 October).

The event will mark the 40th year of fixed-head lathe manufacturer Miyano in the UK and Ireland, initially via the previous sales agent Macro Machine Tools. Since 2010, the brand has been a wholly-owned part of Citizen Holdings, which also offers Cincom sliding-head lathes as well as a range of turning machines incorporating auto-loading systems for rapid material and parts handling.

Managing director Edward James says: “We’ll not only be celebrating the 40th anniversary of Miyano’s presence in this market, but also seven years since the launch of our LFV (low-frequency vibration) programmable chip-breaking software. The technology has helped us to become the largest supplier of CNC bar-fed lathes in the UK and Ireland. There will also be a focus at the open house on the Miyano Eco Function, which ensures more efficient energy usage, saving costs and helping the machines to perform at peak efficiency.”

As usual, present throughout the event will be numerous partner companies involved in the supply of work holding, cutting tools, parts handling, bar feeds, production control software and more. Additionally, a ‘Red Letter Day’ prize draw will be open to all visitors, with the winner receiving a £1500 experience and hotel accommodation.
For further information www.citizenmachinery.co.uk