Product category:
CNC turning centres, mill/turning, multi-tasking centres, horizontal and VTLs.
News Release from: Mills Manufacturing Technology | Subject: Nakamura Tome Super NTX turning centre
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 09 May 2003
Multi-axis investments beat overseas
competition
OEMs and subcontractors in developed countries are having to invest in multi-axis CNC mill-turning centres capable of producing complex, high-added-value components in a single set-up.
OEMs and subcontractors in developed countries are having to invest in multi-axis CNC mill-turning centres capable of producing complex, high-added-value components in a single set-up, as this is one of the ways to combat the threat from competitors in low-wage economies Aimed at this end of the market is the new 11-axis 'Super NTX' from the Japanese lathe builder, Nakamura Tome, whose products are available in the UK through sole agent, Mills Manufacturing Technology
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 23 May 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Machining times cut by three-quarters
It used to take Watford-based Parker Hannifin 30 minutes to machine both ends of complex cylinder rods. The same job is now done in seven minutes in a Nakamura Tome TW-20, twin-turret lathe.
Two opposing twin-turret lathes are in one
One of the most capable mill-turning machines ever built, has four turrets, two spindles and offers a total of 13 computer controlled axes.
The slant bed machine is configured with twin-opposed, 22/18.5kW, 4,500 rpm spindles, each with C-axis and served by its own live 2-axis turret (XL/ZL and XR/ZR) mounted below the centreline.
In addition, components at either spindle may be simultaneously turned or prismatically machined, perhaps with lower turret support, using an upper 18.5 / 11kW tool spindle with automatic tool change capability.
Under X1, Z1 axis control, the spindle also has Y (+/-80mm off-centre linear) and B1 (+/-115 degree rotational) movements.
Further reading
Small horizontal as rugged as the big models
Although the new Daewoo ACE HM500 horizontal machining centre is nominally a half-metre-cube machine, it is constructed using box section guideways normally found on larger machines
VMC machines vaporiser bodies from extruded stock
Anaesthesia equipment manufacturer, Penlon, is using a Daewoo vertical machining centre to produce vaporiser bodies from aluminium extrusions in-house.
HMCs minimise non-cutting time and are accurate
Exceptional value is claimed for the Daewoo ACE HP Series of horizontal machining centres from Mills Manufacturing Technology.
Thus 7-axis simultaneous machining can be in progress at the left spindle position (X1, Z1, Y, B1, CL, XL, ZL) at the same time as 4-axis turning at the other side (CR, XR, ZR, B2).
The latter axis is the 1150mm movement of the right hand spindle towards the left, which also effects synchronous component transfer between spindles for reverse end working.
Maximum turning length and diameter are 1100mm and 390mm respectively, making this a very capable machine across a large spread of applications.
If required, a bar magazine of 65mm or 71mm capacity may be fitted to either or both sides.
Short non-cutting times are promoted by high rapid traverse rates of 16m/min in X and Y, 27m/min in Z, and 400 rpm / 37.5 rpm in C and B1 respectively.
Contributing to high productivity are the generous 5.5/3.7kW, 3,600 rpm motors powering the 12 live stations in each of the two lower turrets, which alternatively can deploy 24 turning tools.
Tool exchange into the upper spindle from the 24-station magazine (optionally 40, 80 or 120) is also fast at two seconds.
While this is in progress, it is possible to machine using the lower turrets.
Care has been taken in the machine design, which includes oil cooling of the bed, slides and spindle motors, to ensure high machining accuracy.
One cutting trial recorded 0.4 micron roundness and 1.35 microns roughness when machining 60 mm diameter brass at 4,500 rpm and 0.05mm/rev infeed, using a diamond tool with 0.8 mm nose radius.
Control of the mill-turn centre is by the Fanuc 16iT-B which interfaces with bespoke Nakamura Tome software to assist the operator when programming complex parts.
In addition, there is a touch system that uses torque control for detecting the position and shape of a component in the spindle, reducing the cost of fixtures.
Collision detection within eight milliseconds is a standard feature, as is NT Nurse, a package for load monitoring, tool management and other functions to minimise set-up times and support production.
Available also from Nakamura Tome is a 9-axis version of this machine, called 'Super NTX(S)', on which there is no right hand lower turret and the opposing spindle may be replaced by a tailstock.
• Mills Manufacturing Technology: 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
