Product category:
CNC turning centres, mill/turning, multi-tasking centres, horizontal and VTLs.
News Release from: Geo Kingsbury Machine Tools | Subject: Index G160 mill-turn centre
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 03 April 2002
Modular mill-turn centre machines larger
parts
A new modular turn-mill centre from with a spindle capacity of 30/42/65mm and a turning length of up to 800mm will be launched in the UK at MACH 2002.
A new turn-mill centre from Index, designated G160, with a spindle capacity of 30/42/65mm and a turning length of up to 800mm will be launched in the UK at MACH 2002 It follows the same modular construction as the larger G400 introduced 18 months ago, allowing complete machining of highly complex components in a single set-up
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 26 Aug 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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A new, hanging-spindle, vertical turning lathe (VTL) has been introduced by Index on which the spindle head is able to move freely in three dimensional space.
The bed has two separate sets of guideways; the lower set accommodates the main and counter spindles (or tailstock where fitted), a lower turret option and any steady rests that may be employed.
The upper set of guides support the tool carriers.
There are a vast number of configuration possibilities, enabling the machine to be customised for a wide range of applications.
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The new, Spanish-built Kondia ZM-99 vertical-spindle machining centre from Geo Kingsbury MHP has a working envelope more than 50 per cent larger than the CM60-MA model which it replaces.
A 12-station servo driven turret is the basic tool system, and this can be provided with quill- type Y-axis and B-axis facilities, together with C-axis on the spindle.
For two-axis turning, the Y-axis is fully retracted and locked by a Hirth coupling for maximum rigidity.
To allow this, the machine references to a vertical X-Z plane for live tool machining operations, but switches to a second plane at around 20 degrees from the vertical for fixed turning operations.
Alternatively, a multi-function milling spindle and 32-position tool carousel can replace the turret to enable heavier or more complex milling/drilling operations, providing true machining centre capabilities.
The combined unit comprises a separate milling spindle and a twelve station turret exclusively for fixed tooling, which is mounted on the Y-axis quill.
The milling spindle is itself mounted on a pivoting arm and can also be used in fixed position mode for turning or boring operations.
The main spindle/turret arrangement can either be replicated at the counter spindle, or a simpler configuration can be adopted such as a single upper tool carrier serving both spindles, depending on the complexity of the work being undertaken.
The counter spindle can be replaced by a servo driven tailstock if required.
Tailstock position and thrust are controlled electronically, eliminating the need for a quill, and it is interesting to note that the counter spindle can also be controlled in the same way.
MS32 Compact is a new multi spindle automatic from Index, first shown at EMO last year and billed as the world's first open-fronted CNC multi, allowing free access to the working area through doors at the front of the machine for quick and easy set-up.
To allow this novel design, the switchgear cabinet has been placed on top of the machine, as a result of which an additional advantage is a smaller footprint.
This entry-level concept, without extra tool carriers or opposed drum, allows cost-effective use of multi-spindle technology at 20 per cent less capital outlay than for the equivalent Index MS32B CNC.
The only penalty is that the number of programmable axes is limited to 31, as there is only one CPU, so driven tooling and Y-axis movement are not possible on the 'Compact' machine.
A further innovation by Index is preset toolholders with integrated chips containing tool dimension data that is entered automatically into the control, eliminating the risk of error through manual input of the information.
After the data has been stored, the control issues instructions in plain text, such as 'toolholder in spindle position X, slide Y'.
At the touch of a key, the toolholder travels automatically into the correct position for changeover, minimising set-up time.
Another world first was the introduction last year of the Index V100 hanging-spindle, vertical turning lathe (VTL) on which the spindle head is able to move freely in three dimensional space.
Utilising linearpod technology similar to that of hexapod machining centres, the revolutionary design involves the rotating workpiece being presented to fixed tooling by a spindle that moves in three axes instead of two as on all other VTLs.
MACH 2002 will see a further development of this machine, in that instead of having a single row of fixed tooling, there are now two platens on a turret that rotates through 180 degrees, thereby doubling the number of tool positions.
More complex components may be machined in one hit without the need for tool exchange.
Moreover, the turret can be indexed and locked at 5 degree intervals, so the user does not incur the expense of driven angular offset toolholders.
The machine is capable of productive manufacture of chucking components up to 130mm diameter in small or large batches.
The six-rod, kinematic construction accelerates at 1G to reach 60m/min rapid traverse in all three orthogonal directions simultaneously.
Rigid, thermosymmetric construction and linear glass scales ensure high turning accuracy, which is promoted further by cooling of the motor spindle unit.
During machining the Siemens Sinumeric 840D control handles all interpolation tasks, so the programmer needs only to work with the familiar X,Y,Z axes.
As with all VTLs, the machine is highly flexible owing to the spindle's ability to perform component load / unload in combination with a conveyor or other workpiece storage device.
Consistent with the relatively small diameter of parts being machined, spindle speed is somewhat higher than usual at 7,000 rpm, or optionally 10,000 rpm.
To complement the tool turret, an extensive variety of additional attachments may be fitted such as laser welding and hardening equipment, a grinding spindle, multiheads, gauges for in-process measurement and assembly jigs.
On show also will be the Index G200 CY, a new version of the popular G200 Compact twin-spindle turn-mill centre with the new option of a 120mm Y-axis on the top turret; and the legendary ABC single-spindle CNC automatic, designed principally for complete machining from bar, but suitable also for one-hit chucking including castings and forgings as well as for hard turning applications.
New turning machine packages - from the Geo Kingsbury MHP range, two new lathe 'packages' will be introduced, designated MHP50/500TC.com and MHP65/500TC.com, which are based on established and proven British-built turning centres but supplied for a competitive, all-in price with comprehensive add-ons that would normally be charged extra.
These include a chuck, swarf conveyor and toolholder package, two year warranty with complimentary 6 month 'health check', remote diagnostic link, full documentation on CD, installation and after-sales support.
The machines themselves, with 50mm and 65mm bar capacity respectively, have a generous specification that includes 600mm swing over bed, 300mm turning diameter, 500mm (optionally 700mm) turning length, and a 12-station live turret for 30 or 40 VDI quick-change tooling.
Rapids are 24m/min in both X and Z.
The 22kW spindle motor has full C-axis as standard.
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