Product category:
CNC automatic lathes
News Release from: Geo Kingsbury Machine Tools | Subject: MultiLine MS52C multi-spindle automatic lathe
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 17 May 2007
CNC multi-spindle lathe back-works parts
A 52mm bar, multi-spindle automatic lathe has a simultaneous reverse-endworking attachment using a scara unit with a double pivoting arm to present the workpiece to four driven and/or static tools.
A 52mm bar, multi-spindle automatic lathe features a simultaneous reverse-endworking attachment using a scara unit with a double pivoting arm to present the workpiece to four driven and/or static tools The The Index MultiLine MS52C multi-spindle automatic lathe, as well as the Index VerticalLine V100 hanging-spindle VTL (vertical turning lathe), was shown at an open house was held on 15th and 16th May 2007 at Geo Kingsbury Machine Tools' headquarters and technical centre in Gosport, Hampshire, UK
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 26 Aug 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Foundry's mill-turning investment ups exports
Coventry-based foundry has upheld and expanded exports by adding on high-tech mill-turning centre facilities to machine turbocharger impellers supplied to Italian and US customers.
Pick-up spindle lathe has hexapod features
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 open house marked the UK company's 50th anniversary.
Of the 15 turning and prismatic machining centres and component washing machines being demonstrated, seven were on show for the first time in the UK.
The machines were from four German manufacturers - Index, Traub, Hermle and Durr Ecoclean - for which Geo Kingsbury is sole agent.
Further reading
Vertical turning lathe takes on complex production
New from Index is the option to fit a four-axis CNC tool turret in addition to a standard two-axis turret on the German manufacturer's V300 vertical turning lathe (VTL), allowing the production of mor
Brass turning on CNC lathes
Leipold (UK) uses eight Index 6-axis CNC lathes supplied by Geo Kingsbury, the latest two installed during May and June 2000
Bigger envelope vertical-spindle machining centre
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.
Two videos and an orthogonal head display from SHW featured innovations by this German manufacturer of large capacity machining centres, which is also represented in the UK by Geo Kingsbury under a sole agency agreement.
In addition, there was an opportunity to see Geo Kingsbury's own range of MHP lathes and automotive test stands in build.
* Index-Werke - the Index MultiLine MS52C multi-spindle automatic lathe was shown with a simultaneous reverse-endworking attachment whereby components that have been machined on one end are synchronously picked up by a scara unit with a double pivoting arm and presented to four driven and/or static tools.
It is also possible to have twin scara units fitted.
Although the multi at the show was fed with bar (up to 52mm diameter), scara-type endworking is applicable also if billets (up to 70mm) are held in a collet or, if the machine is equipped with 140mm chucks, castings or forgings up to 100mm diameter are being mill-turned.
As with all other Index multi's, every spindle has its own hollow spindle motor, allowing not only different speeds at each position but also different directions of rotation.
Thus there is no need to compromise when selecting material, feeds and speeds, as machining parameters may be optimised at every station for maximum productivity.
In conjunction with electronic servomotor-driven slides, 'single spindle' programming using the Siemens Sinumerik 840C control automatically develops 'partial' part programs for each spindle position from a 'master' part program written for the complete component.
Machining flexibility of six CNC mill-turning machines is thus provided within a single, compact footprint.
* Pick-up spindle VTL - Users of the Index VerticalLine V100 hanging-spindle VTL (vertical turning lathe), which uses linearpod technology similar to that of a hexapod to move the spindle head freely in 3D space, can select the new option of a counter spindle for machining highly complex components on all sides.
For front-end machining, a rotating workpiece up to 130mm diameter is presented to 12 fixed, stationary or live tools by the spindle moving in three axes, instead of in two as on other VTLs.
The six-rod, kinematic construction accelerates at 1G to reach 60m/min rapid traverse in all three orthogonal directions simultaneously.
Reverse endworking is achieved by synchronous component transfer to the new counter spindle.
It is fixed in position on a separate block alongside the front endworking tool carrier.
Reverse end machining is carried out by three tools on a ring clamped around the main spindle head.
High productivity results from the fast rapid traverse rates and quick chip-to-chip times afforded by the hexapod-driven spindle, plus elimination of conventional turret indexing.
These features are combined with the traditional benefits of the hanging-spindle design, namely self-loading capability and one-hit completion of complex machining sequences.
Rigid, thermo-symmetrical construction and linear glass scales ensure high mill-turning accuracy, which is promoted further by cooling of the motor spindle.
A variety of additional attachments may be fitted, such as laser welding and hardening equipment, a grinding spindle, multi-heads, gauges for in-process measurement and assembly jigs.
* Mill/turn centre - the Index RatioLine G160 turn-mill lathe was also seen in a different configuration, fitted with a new motor milling spindle (20,000 rev/min or 24,000 rev/min) having a 180 deg swivelling A-axis and 360 degree B-axis in addition to movement in X and Z.
It is positioned above the centreline of the identical, twin-opposed spindles, which have a capacity of 30, 42, or 65mm and a turning length of up to 800mm.
An NC tailstock may be fitted in place of the counter spindle.
The milling spindle, which can be used in fixed-position mode for turning or boring operations, is fed from two 32-position tool magazines mounted above the spindles.
Two 12-station X/Z (optionally plus Y/B) turrets are mounted below the spindles, allowing three tools to be in cut simultaneously at either end.
For 2-axis turning, the quill-type Y-axis is fully retracted and locked by a Hirth coupling for maximum rigidity.
The machine follows the same modular construction as the larger G-Series lathes and allows complete machining of highly complex components in a single set-up.
Automated handling of chucked parts and shafts up to 150mm diameter and 2 x 10kg is available using a pivoting gripper arm.
• Geo Kingsbury Machine Tools: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Manufacturingtalk email newsletter
• Manufacturingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
