Iemca, a brand of Bucci Industries, has introduced its Boss Superfast+ bar magazine, a new solution that the company says enhances further the performance of sliding-head lathes. Process automation and userfriendliness have been the guiding principles in its design, ensuring optimised cycle times and performance.

The new Boss model configuration includes an innovative feature to notify the remaining bar quantity in the single-rack magazine. This information is displayed on the new operator panel, exclusive to Superfast+, which features a capacitive touchscreen and a completely redesigned HMI interface. Additionally, the notification is immediately visible through the illumination of one of the machine’s signal tower lights.

The operator receives alerts at two stages: when an intermediate bar stock level is reached, and when the last bar is being processed, signalling an empty magazine. These notifications simplify workshop operations, allowing for more efficient material replenishment and maintenance scheduling.

To enhance further the ‘Plus’ variant of the Boss model, automatic adjustment of the single-rack magazine based on the bar diameter and shape ensures instant time savings. In the standard version, the operator must manually intervene and verify the adjustment. With motorised regulation, users simply input the diameter value on the operator panel, and the magazine automatically adjusts, eliminating manual operations and significantly reducing downtime.

A combination of reduced re-tooling times and increased productivity is achieved with the self-adjusting front bushing holder. There is no longer a need to manually replace the front bushing pair when changing bar formats. Instead, users simply enter the bar diameter and shape on the operator panel, and the bushings automatically adapt to the bar and pusher. This capability simplifies the process and reduces operator intervention.

More information www.iemca.com

FFG subsidiary MAG IAS GmbH (MAG) has secured a significant contract to deliver a highly automated production line for forged railway wheels to Ramkrishna Titagarh Rail Wheels Ltd (RKTR) in India. The double-digit million euro project is part of the Indian Government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, which aims to transform the country into a globally competitive industrial hub.

The state-of-the-art system will be installed at RKTR’s Chennai facility and is designed to produce 100,000 railway wheels annually. The system is capable of manufacturing six different types of railway wheels without the need for change over. Furthermore, it is designed with future scalability in mind, allowing production capacity to double if needed. To ensure precise planning and fast commissioning, FFG created a digital twin of the system alongside extensive 3D simulations. The system’s pre-calculated energy consumption across various production scenarios supports sustainable manufacturing practices.

The system will feature MAG Hessapp VDM 1600 vertical lathes and Specht 800 horizontal machining centres. Also supplied were coolant and chip management for the entire plant, automation for both the machining and testing cells, measuring machines, a balancing station, ultrasonic testing units, and two magnetic particle inspection stations. An outstanding feature of the centrally controlled production system is monitoring of the entire system and the tracking of components.

Production is scheduled to start in Q1 2026, with the system set to manufacture and deliver a total of 1.54 million railway wheels to Indian Railways over the next 20 years. The project supports India’s expanding infrastructure and further strengthens FFG’s presence in the region.

More information www.ffg-ea.com/en

The machining transformation (MX) with which DMG Mori says it is shaping the future of machine tool manufacturing has a direct influence on product development. This ethos is demonstrated by the sixth generation of CTX universal turning machines. According to DMG Mori, the latest addition to the series, the CTX 750|1250, sets new standards in performance, precision and energy efficiency.

On an area of just 11,7 m², the new model offers sufficient space for 700 mm diameterby 1290 mm long workpieces. The combination of left and right spindles, the optional Yaxis with ±85 mm travel and driven tools with up to 6000 rpm ensures productive six-sided complete machining of demanding geometries with maximum precision using integrated processes. This performance is thanks to the highly rigid machine concept of the CTX 750|1250, supported byup to 55 mm wide linear guides, integrated cooling measures and direct measuring systems from Magnescale.

Notably, the spindles of the CTX 750|1250 play a major role in high-performance machining. The left-hand ISM 127 spindle offering 2500 rpm and up to 1975 Nm torque is contrasted by an ISM 80 spindle thatdelivers 4000 rpm and 360 Nm. The spindle bore is127 mm diameter for 125 mm diameter bar. An ISM 102 spindle for six-side heavy-duty machining with a torque of up to 770 Nm is optionally available on the right-hand side.

The VDI-50 turret with 12 tool positions, used as standard, enables the milling operations required for six-sided complete machining. Driven tools reach 4000 rpm and 48 Nm. Alternatively, a high-speed turret with 66 Nm and a direct-drive turret with 86 Nm are available for speeds up to 6000 rpm. 

More information www.dmgmori.com

The Index open house 2025 event at the company’s new iXperience Centre in Deizisau concluded with great success last week. With visitors able to explore numerous Index and Traub machine innovations, the event also featured tailored automation solutions, expert presentations and discussions with technology specialists from various industries.Additional highlights included a demonstration of ‘high dynamic turning’ with indexing turret-mounted tools, along with an integrated information session on machining hydraulic components.

Index equipped its customer centre with a range of turn-mill centres, production turning machines, multi-spindle turning machines and universal turning machines. All models were fully loaded for live demonstrations and integrated with automation solutions.

Making its debut at the event was the new Traub TNK40 production turning machine (pictured), a fixed-head machine based on the Traub TNL32 compact sliding/fixed-head machine. Instead of a sliding head for Swiss-type turning, the TNK40 features a fixed head with 40 mm clearance. Thanks to low-vibration, simplified bar guiding (such as via a short loader), Index says the machine offers greater overall rigidity than a sliding-head machine, resulting in enhanced dynamics and improved part quality.

Also making its debut was the Traub TNL12 lean, a cost-effective entry-level sliding/fixed-head turning machine equipped with just one turret and a back working unit. Its live guide bushing is adjustable but not programmable, though optional expansions remain available.

For those seeking high productivity, short cycle times and minimal tooling times, another highlight wasthe compact Index MS24-8 multi-spindle CNC turning machine, featuring eight spindles and MBL bar-loading magazine. With its extensive features and software tools, the machine can be quickly re-tooled and is well-suited to machining new material standards, such as lead-free brass.

More information www.index-group.com