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DRO has constant surface speed turning function

Edited by the Manufacturingtalk editorial team Aug 12, 2008

Colchester Lathe's variable speed, manually controlled centre lathes now feature the Acu-Rite DRO 200S digital readout with constant surface speed functionality.

The Acu-Rite DRO 200S digital readout with constant surface speed (CSS) functionality is now provided as standard on Colchester Lathe's ranges of cost-effective, high-performance Master, Triumph, Mascot and Mastiff variable speed manual lathes.

CSS functionality enables the cutting speed to be applied constantly across the entire diameter of a workpiece.

Acu-Rite said the function reduces cycle times and optimises tool wear while generating dramatic improvements in quality and surface finish.

Acu-Rite said that the use of CSS on price-competitive 2-/3-axis lathes has resulted in a series of turning packages that are unrivalled on a cost-to-performance basis.

The Colchester range includes lathes with centre distances and swing diameters over the bed capacities of between 635mm to 3000mm, and 330mm to 554mm, respectively.

The specifications include spindle bores of 40mm to 90mm and motors of 2.2kW to 11kW that can produce up to 3250 rev/min.

The use of the machines in all types of organisations - from training facilities through to the most demanding of high-volume production routines - has earned them a global reputation for outstanding service at minimal levels of maintenance.

Acu-Rite told manufacturingtalk that the use of the CSS functionality and other features of the Acu-Rite DRO 200S have effectively given the Colchester machines an even more valuable marque for the consistent and cost-effective production of complex turned work.

Based on intuitive operation with multi-language support, and boasting an accuracy of +/-5 micron complemented by repeatability within one count, the Acu-Rite DRO 200S with LCD readout (the first DRO in the market with this display technology) also features the following as standard.

* Lock axis feature to establish tool offsets with tool under load.

* Instant conversions for radius/diameter and inch/metric.

* 2-/3-axis LCD display with graphics and conversational prompts.

* Taper calculator.

* 16 tool offsets/diameter.

* Near zero warning.

* Absolute and incremental displays with pre-set and zero reset.

For the Colchester Lathe applications, Acu-Rite has also provided its spindle (rotary) encoder and linear encoders for X- and Z-axis - SENC 50 and SENC 150, respectively (with resolutions 0.5, 1 and 5 micron, SENC 150 is available in lengths of 50mm to 3.4m.

The SENC 50 is available in lengths of 25mm to 500mm).

There is also a 3-axis option (SENC 50 micro scale) for the compound slide Z1.

Acu-Rite linear encoders feature reflective signaling, roller bearing guidance and the Position-Trac functionality that allows operators to accurately and quickly re-establish workpiece zero from any position after a power interruption.

Once power is restored, the DRO reads a line pattern on the glass scale to recall the last known zero.