The sixth generation of precision turning centres from Spinner – the MicroTurn series – was displayed for the first time at the AMB 2018 show in Stuttgart recently.

Available in the UK through sole agent Whitehouse Machine Tools, the MicroTurn is built in two sizes and is capable of producing components to within 5 µm dimensional tolerance in series production.
To enable this degree of precision, including when hard-turning and micro-finishing components, what Spinner describes as ‘disruptive influences’ from turrets, Y axes and unnecessary heat sources, have been minimised.
The concept is based on the company’s previous precision lathes, which employ a two-axis spindle head on a compound slide, in this case moving 600 mm in X and 350 mm in Z, with balanced thermal characteristics for fine positioning. On the MicroTurn, the spindle operates in conjunction with a static, linear tool carrier integrated into the vertical machine bed (L-Version).
Recognising that companies producing smaller batches of parts need greater flexibility and fast set-up times, Spinner has provided a number of options. One is a BMT45 turret with a ±50 mm Y axis and 12 stations (optionally driven at 8000 rpm), which can be added at the bottom of the working area (LT-Version).
For extra versatility, the BMT45 turret can be joined at the top of the working area by a 15 kW/12,000 rpm pivoting B-axis milling spindle with ±50 mm of Y-axis movement and an HSK40 interface (LBT-Version). The spindle can be served with cutters exchanged from a 33- or 72-station tool magazine. There is also an LTBS-Version with an opposing counter-spindle, identical to the main spindle, for simultaneous parallel machining or synchronous workpiece transfer.
For further information www.wmtcnc.com

Large-capacity Doosan vertical turning lathes occupy centre stage at the new Hanwha Aerospace aero-engine parts production facility in Vietnam.
South Korea-based Hanwha Aerospace has announced that its plans to significantly ramp up the production and supply of civil aircraft engine parts (fans and compressors) to the global aerospace market through the creation of a new manufacturing facility in Vietnam, are nearing completion.

The new factory, located near Hanoi, is substantial at 60,000 sq m, making it approximately eight times the size of a football pitch. Once fully operational, it is anticipated that Hanwha Aerospace will be able to increase sales turnover to US$879m.
To help the company achieve its ambitions, Hanwha has invested heavily in a number of large-capacity Doosan vertical ram-type lathes (VTRs). By the end of January 2019, it is expected that 30 Doosan VTRs will have been installed at the new Vietnam factory, rising to 120 machines by 2024.
The Doosan machines supplied to Hanwha Techwin comprise VTR 1012F and VTR 1216F models. Doosan’s F-designated VTR machines have a fixed cross beam design, as opposed to a travelling cross beam design and, as such, are said to be particularly suited
to the machining of smaller, shorter components such as aero-engine rings.
In addition, both VTR models also have a wide column and box guideway design, and are equipped with ram-type spindles (up to 45 kW/400 rpm), as well as large diameter cross-taper roller bearings for heavy-duty machining operations.
VTR machines also feature servo-driven tool changers, swarf evacuation and management systems for increased productivity and trouble-free machining. The maximum turning diameter is 1600 mm (VTR 1216F). Mills CNC is the UK agent for machine tools from Doosan.
For further information www.millscnc.co.uk