Owing to their high rigidity and damping properties, Index Werke says its machines are suitable for the complete machining of complex workpieces, including the integration of gear teeth. The Czech Linde Pohony plant knows this all too well, recently decommissioningits existing Index G400 turn-mill machines, after 20 years of service, and investing in six new Index G420 models. The new turn-mill centres should achieve amortisation within three years. Index machines are available in the UK via Kingsbury.

Head of production and technologyPetr Vitásekand his team tested various offers and decided once again to go for Index.

“Few suppliers were able to offer a machining centre that is equipped with two turning spindles, two turrets and a powerful motorised milling spindle that masters power skiving technology,” he says.“This gives us decisive advantages, particularly since we are able to achieve complete machining with our new Index G420 machines. Before, we had to use a lathe, a milling machine and a gear cutting machine.”

The investment allowed Linde Pohony to increase the productivity of its machines and, at the same time, save space in the production hall and thus increase productivity per unit area.

A special Indexpower skiving cycle and user-prompted input screens for workpiece, tool, process and correction data ensure easy operation.

Miroslav Vařečka, head of production engineering, mentions dry machining as a further advantage: “Compared with the former machining technique, it’s no longer necessary to clean off any oil residues on the workpieces, which implies time and financial savings.”

He adds: “We can use our turn-mill centres not only for shaft production, but also for other tasks, such as manufacturing transmission housings.”

For further information www.index-werke.com

At September’s EMO exhibition in Hanover, Nakamura-Tome CEO Shogo Nakamura provided the crowds with a presentation on the Nakamura-Tome WY-100V turning centre. Now available in the UK from the Engineering Technology Group (ETG), the presentation discussed how Nakamura is making its fastest machine even faster.

The new flagship machine is a twin-spindle, twin-turret turning centre with both turrets offering Y-axis capability. With the ‘V’ in the machine name denoting ‘Velocity’, Shogo Nakamura says: “The machine cuts the burden of manufacturing by giving faster cycle times that enable customers to make more workpieces in a shorter time.”

Looking at the hydraulic component that was machined at EMO in a single operation with complex milling, drilling and turning cycles, the CEO explains how the part is machined with a 30% cycle time reduction: taking the cycle time from 536 to 375 seconds. It is achieved with new ChronoCut software technology that eliminates non-productive time.

The hydraulic component machined at EMO ran through some of the key areas where the Nakamura-Tome WY-100V is slashing cycle times. One example was demonstrated on holes drilled around the periphery of the part, using both turrets drilling simultaneously to reduce the drilling cycle time by 56%. This was followed by the rigid tapping of eight holes on the face of the turned part. The ChronoCut technology tapped the holes at 4000rpm and retracted the taps at 8000rpm, conducting very high-speed synchronisation of the Z-axis travel with the milling rotation. Previously, the maximum synchronising rotation speed during rigid tapping was around 3000rpm, but with ‘V’, it is now possible to synchronise up to 8000rpm.

For further information www.engtechgroup.com

Earlier this month, Okuma exhibited at NORTEC in Hamburg, presenting its high-performance Multus B300II multi-tasking machine, which features an optimised machine design and efficient specifications. Visitors to the production and manufacturing technology trade fair could also see the intelligent OSP-P500control. Okuma machines are available in the UK from NCMT.

At Okuma’s stand, visitors could witness for themselves the extensive range of solutions offered by the Multus B300II in detailed demonstrations and live machining sessions. In addition to turning and milling, the machine is also capable of high-speed inclined-axis machining.

Okuma says that the machine delivers the high-performance machining of entire small and medium batch sizes with its two-spindle design and a main spindle speed of up to 5000 rpm. The integrated multi-tool function maximises time savings, while the fully redesigned machine provides more possibilities for ergonomic working.

The Multus B300II has a 225° B-axis range. The base offering features a 40-tool ATC, with an optional 60-tool ATC available upon request. Notably,the H1-turret has a 0.001° Baxis and compound-motion Yaxis for machining flexibility. The main spindle is equipped with a full-contouring Caxis.

Okuma’sMultus B300II uses the company’s proprietary collision avoidance system for optimal machining quality and performance. This function prevents collision-related damage to machines and workpieces during process simulation, even before production begins. Potential collisions are detected early and processes stopped if necessary.

Okuma also showcased the new version of its OSPCNC at the trade show. It provides users with even greater ease of use, incorporates sophisticated precautions against cyberattacks, and ensures maximum efficiency and precision thanks to intelligent upgrades. The OSP control also helps to reduce CO2emissions due to its energy efficiency.

For further information www.okuma.eu