Precision electronic lathe is easy to use

Operators at a clockmaker were impressed by an electronic lathe, which they find easy to use and benefits included the digital touchscreen control and repeatable cycle programs.

Harrison's well-recognised worldwide reputation for designing and manufacturing high-precision lathes led to an Alpha 400T electronic touchscreen lathe being selected by the Belgian clock and bell specialists, Clock-o-Matic.

For over 50 years Clock-o-Matic, based at Holsbeek, has been making automation systems for bells, tower clocks, carillons and chimes for churches, cathedrals, public buildings, industry and schools.

Its work can be seen in some of the most splendid and important buildings in cities around Europe, including London, Prague, Antwerp and Villareal in Spain, plus the USA, Australia and Japan.

The lathe, which was supplied by Harrison's official agent and distributor in Belgium, P Gillard BVBA of Aartselaar, has proved an important asset to Clock-o-Matic for a wide range of highly complex and intricate turning applications.

Geert Vanobbergen of Clock-o-Matic, which carries out continuous Research and Development work as well as manufacturing and installing bells, carillons and tower clocks, said: "We offer a complete range of electronic, mechanical and electro-mechanical CE-marked quality products for the complete fitting out of bell and carillon installations and tower clocks, as well as all the necessary services for technical and musical design".

"We compared several machines and different brands in this class of lathe and came to the conclusion that the Alpha 400T was the best buy and very easy to work with".

"The lathe is used for making clappers, bolts, bearings, centre-parts and distance tubing in small series and is very suitable for turning many kinds of materials from stainless steel to cork, wood and nylon components for our clock movements." He said that operators at Clock-o-Matic were particularly impressed by the Alpha 400T, which they find easy to use and identified the key benefits as the digital touchscreen control and repeatable cycle programs.

They find changing tools and set-ups very straightforward and safe on the Alpha 400T, and praised the option for transferring CAD files for programming directly to the lathe.

Vanobbergen added: "The Alpha 400T lathe produces a higher grade of finish than conventional lathes and for series work its repetition of the same parts is extremely accurate and precise".

"It is a very flexible machine which is ideal for complex turning applications, especially thread turning and so on." Phillipe Gillard, director of P Gillard, said: "Clock-o-Matic is the leading specialist company in its field which produces clocks and bells to customers worldwide".

"The production of these highly technical mechanisms means they must be able to turn very difficult shapes and we are delighted that the Harrison Alpha 400T lathe has proved such a success for this very demanding and specialised role.".

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