Product category:
CNC turning centres, mill/turning, multi-tasking centres, horizontal and VTLs.
News Release from: NCMT | Subject: Okuma and Howa VTM-120YB machining centre
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 11 July 2002
VTL and machining centre combined into
one unit
To machine components in a single set-up a VTL is designed as a cross between a heavy duty vertical turning and boring facility and a fully-featured, 5-axis machining centre.
Manufacturers are increasingly demanding the capability to machine components in a single set-up to achieve short lead times, improve accuracy and reduce work-in-progress While this has been perfectly possible for small and medium sized parts for some time, the capability has eluded those industry sectors which need to handle larger, heavier components
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 22 May 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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Aimed at these users is the new Okuma and Howa VTM-120YB from UK agent, NCMT.
The machine has been designed as a cross between a heavy duty vertical turning and boring facility and a fully-featured, 5-axis machining centre.
Structurally it is configured as a bed-type machining centre but instead of a conventional table it has a 30kW turning spindle / table driven via a two-speed gearbox.
Further reading
Rotary coolant adapter avoids bearing wear
A rotary coolant adapter uses split construction to separate the bearing housing from the coolant collar to increase reliability over extended service life.
New low-cost lathe from Okuma
Okuma has introduced a 2-axis CNC turning machine, called Soarer L270E, which is the first of a new range from the Japanese manufacturer built to in-house standards under contract in Taiwan.
This offers steplessly variable speeds in the range 4 to 200 rpm (low range) and 6 to 600 rpm (high range).
In addition it provides 360,000-increment C-axis positioning.
The table also has a pair of large cross section X-axis slideways to carry a very substantial vertical column with vertical Z-axis slides.
These in turn locate a saddle with Y-axis cross slides to support the 15kW / 3000 rpm motor-spindle (B-axis); by locking the motor spindle using a Curvic coupling it becomes possible to use it for turning operations without risk of damage to the bearings.
The B-axis can position the spindle between vertical and horizontal machining positions in 5 degree increments.
The positioning facility available on the B-axis allows standard tooling to be used in situations where specials might otherwise have to be considered.
In addition, it is possible to improve milling efficiency when using ball nose cutters by using the tool at an angle to avoid zero surface speed cutting at the tip.
Similarly, angled holes can be produced without the need for special fixtures using a three-dimensional co-ordinate conversion facility within the control software.
In standard form, up to 36 BT50 or CAT50 taper tools are stored in a free-standing tool magazine for exchange into the vertical spindle position.
Tool magazines are available for up to 120 tools and maximum tool weight is 30kg.
Use of a common taper standard for milling and turning provides the opportunity to use certain tools for both types of operation, allowing the machine to drill horizontally as well as vertically, for instance.
Maximum table load, including chuck, is 2.5 tonnes, while the machine is capable of turning components up to 1200mm diameter and 1080mm length.
Axis travels are 1270mm in X, 1080mm in Z (vertical), and +/-500mm in Y.
Rapid traverse rate is 16m/min in all linear axes and 20 rpm on the C-axis.
Control is by a Fanuc CNC system using software developed by Okuma and Howa.
It provides four axis interpolative control plus positional control of the B-axis.
Options include a pallet change system for up to 8 pallets, allowing the machine to be configured as a semi-automated, stand-alone machining cell. Request a free brochure from NCMT ...
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