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Multitasking Machines

Here is a review of some of the latest multitasking machines that can mill, drill, turn, thread, bore, or groove complex, contoured parts during one setup and offer shops the competitive advantage they need in market applications ranging from aerospace, oil/energy and medical to construction and general purpose fabrication.

Posted: April 24, 2014

The Nakamura AS-200 High Performance Multitasking Turning Center from Methods Machine Tools features a single spindle, single turret in a heavy duty and compact machine for exceptional value. The standard package is well equipped with a powerful milling drive, together with a high-speed C-Axis and 82 mm stroke Y-Axis for accurate, finished parts.

The main spindle on the Quicktech XTS-42 from Absolute Machine Tools has a 15 hp high torque spindle motor, and the sub-spindle is equipped with a 5 hp high torque spindle motor for backworking. Both spindles feature a full continuous C-axis with braking system and standard 42 mm DIN-173-42B collet chucks.

MULTUS U Series lathes from Okuma are equipped with a comprehensive package of Intelligent Technologies (Thermo-Friendly Concept, Collision Avoidance System and Machining Navi) and a variety of efficiency features which make them “Intelligent Multitasking Machines.”

The Y-Axis enables turning, drilling and milling off center on the Nakamura AS-200 multitasking center from Methods Machine Tools. Providing very high rigidity, the AS-200 is a heavyweight machine at 7,055 lb (3,200 kg). At the same time, it is a compact machine at (5 ft 6 in) 1,650 mm x (5 ft 6 in) 1,600 mm – the smallest in its class for floor space.

The L2100SY Y-axis Multitasking Lathe from Hyundai WIA uses critical structural components that are designed using finite element analysis (FEA) to ensure powerful cutting and agility and are composed of meehanite cast iron to minimize deformation when performing heavy-duty cuts. (first view)

The wedge type Y-axis featured on Hyundai WIA's L2100SY CNC lathe offers superior positional accuracy and is easy to program for increased productivity.

The L2100Y/SY is configured with a 4,500 rpm main spindle. The gearless 8 in spindle has been designed for high-precision applications with features that ensure minimal thermal growth at high speeds or under heavy cutting loads.

The 6 in sub spindle with C-axis offers 0.001 deg indexing and is driven by the B-axis ballscrew and servomotor to ensure high precision and accuracy.

The latest generation BMT turret top plate increases tool performance and rigidity by securing each tool with four screws.

The Brother M140X1 from Yamazen integrates the turning and milling/tapping process to contribute to high-efficiency machining and bring both time and financial saving advantages.

The INTEGREX i-100 BARTAC-S from Mazak features two turning spindles and a milling spindle that allow for full 5-axis machining and Done-In-One operations that effectively handle all processes from raw material input through final machining to provide dramatic reductions in lead times and improve workpiece accuracy through the elimination of multiple setups.

An Intelligent Bar Loader System on the Mazak INTEGREX i automatically feeds out material the required distance from the chuck and minimizes the bar remnant. Furthermore, the optional chuck pressure management system automatically changes by part program for a wide variety of workpieces. The system maintains not only the set chuck pressure per workpiece, but also the same pressure when changing material.

The small-footprint Vertical Center Universal 400 5X from Mazak features a powerful, rigid CAT-40 taper 10,000 rpm spindle that offers high metal removal capabilities in common materials, including steel, aluminum and cast iron. Other maximum spindle speeds are available, such as 12,000 rpm and 20,000 rpm in 40-taper as well as 42,000 rpm in E40 (HSK), so that users can effectively match spindle performance with their part machining requirements.

The INTEGREX i-200ST from Mazak features twin turning spindles, a lower turret and milling spindle. Both turning spindles on the machine provide equal high performance with spindle speeds of 5,000 rpm and C-axis turning control. And both have a bore capacity measuring 76 mm in diameter.

Increasingly complex parts are placing tremendous demands on machining technology in all market applications, ranging from aerospace, oil/energy and medical to construction and general purpose fabrication. To remain competitive, shops must continually examine and embrace advances in multitasking milling and turning lathes for precision machining that will increase their productivity and profitability. Here is a review of some of the latest multitasking machines that can mill, drill, turn, thread, bore, or groove complex, contoured parts during one setup and offer shops the competitive advantage they need.

TWIN SPINDLE MULTITASKING CENTER WITH B-AXIS
Machine tool importer Absolute Machine Tools, Inc. (Lorain, OH) offers the Quicktech XTS-42 7-axis twin spindle multi-tasking turning center. The high precision, high production CNC bar processing center enables complete part machining including milling of complex features.

http://youtu.be/TaHuKKIMk_0
An overview and demonstration of the Quicktech XTS-42 twin spindle multi-tasking turning center.

Available in both 42 mm and 60 mm (1.65 in or 2.36 in) bar capacities as the XTS-42 or XTS-60, the machines feature 7 axes, 2 turning spindles, one milling spindle, and a capacity of 27 tools. A 3-axis (X,Y, Z) gang type vertical tool post serves each spindle, with the tool post featuring a full B-axis for the live tools. Maximum turning length for the main spindle is 226 mm (9.05 in), and maximum turning diameter for the subspindle is 98.5 mm (3.94 in).

The main spindle has either 42 mm or 60 mm bar capacity, the sub-spindle has 30 mm (1.18 in) bar capacity, and the spindles are synchronized for fast and accurate part transfer. The cartridge-type spindles employ P4 high precision bearings for stability and heavy cutting ability.

Each spindle is served by a single 3-axis gang tooling system. The tool post features 7 OD turning tools (4 front, 3 rear), one cut-off toolholder, 10 ID turning tools (5 front, 5 rear), 3 radial live tool heads and 6 axial live tool heads (3 front, 3 rear). The live heads are powered by a 2HP spindle motor. The B axis allows the live tools to rotate -45 deg to +45 deg and be applied to both the main and the sub-spindle. In addition, the tool post has a Y-axis for off-center milling operations.

Absolute Machine Tools, Inc., 7420 Industrial Parkway, Lorain, OH 44053, 440-960-6911, Fax: 440-960-6918, sortner@absolutemachine.com, www.absolutemachine.com.

INTELLIGENT MULTITASKING MACHINES
Okuma America Corporation (Charlotte, NC) provides its MULTUS U Series general purpose multitasking CNC lathes that are designed to reduce setup time, improve accuracy and keep non-cutting time to a minimum. The series includes two machine sizes: the MULTUS U3000 and the MULTUS U4000.

A demonstration of the MULTUS U4000.

Built with Okuma’s renowned heavy-duty construction, the MULTUS U series CNC lathes provide a robust platform for long-term rigidity and accuracy. They are excellent for machining process-intensive parts – such as those in aerospace, oil/energy, medical and construction – and provide a complete multitasking solution:

Flexible CNC machining from all directions – A highly rigid traveling column allows for powerful cutting along the entire Y-axis.
Extended specs for a variety of applications – 17 diverse variations in specs –including multiple bed lengths, optional sub-spindle (W-Axis) and optional lower turret – provide a specific solution that matches application requirements.
Maximum Milling or Turning Performance – For highly-efficient cutting of difficult-to-machine materials and a wide variety of CNC machining applications.
Thermo-Friendly Concept – Provides long, stable machining accuracy with thermo-static design and thermal deformation control technology.
Shorter Setup Time and Prevention of Collisions – The OSP-P300S control reduces keyboard operations by 50 percent and maximizes uptime with its Collision Avoidance System.
Machining Navi (optional) – Maximizes tool performance by choosing the optimal speed(s) at which the machine can avoid chatter.
Operator-Friendly Design – Easy tool loading from the machine front, improved spindle access for faster setup times, and smooth chip discharge for better chip flow.

Okuma America Corporation, 11900 Westhall Drive, Charlotte, NC 28278, 704-588-7000, Fax: 704-588-6503, www.okuma.com/multus-u-series.

ECONOMICAL SINGLE SPINDLE, SINGLE TURRET MULTITASKING TURNING CENTER
Methods Machine Tools, Inc. (Sudbury, MA), a leading supplier of innovative precision machine tools, automation and accessories, offers the Nakamura-Tome AS-200 High Performance Multitasking Turning Center featuring a single spindle, single turret in a heavy duty and compact machine for exceptional value. The standard package is well equipped with a powerful milling drive, together with a high-speed C-Axis and 82 mm stroke Y-Axis for accurate, finished parts.

http://youtu.be/khNlJ9m_smk
A demonstration of the heavy cutting capabilities of the Nakamura-Tome AS-200.

“The Nakamura AS-200 offers the quality our customers expect from Methods and Nakamura at a very competitive price point – it is an excellent solution for shops that want to get into multitasking,” said Richard Parenteau, the director of application development at Methods Machine Tools. “The AS-200 features high rigidity multitasking for accurate machining at a superb value.”

Standard spindle speed is 4,500 rpm. A 7.5 hp milling motor on a 6,000 rpm, 12-station turret with ½ indexing provides 24-tool capacity. Maximum turning diameter is 13.4 in (340 mm) and maximum turning length is 11.8 in (300 mm). The turning tool is 1.0 in (25 mm) and the inside boring shank is 1.25 in (32 mm).

The AS-200 features a 10.4 in high-resolution LCD panel which works in conjunction with the latest Fanuc 0iTD controller to give a high degree of functionality, coupled with fast processing speeds. For easy-to-use and reliable support, the NT Nurse II System, NT Work Navigator and Overload Detection are standard on the AS-200. NT Nurse II is comprehensive software that provides user-friendly operation, programming and production support. NT Work Navigator facilitates easy part set-ups with no fixtures required. And for safety, the AS-200 has overload detection via an airbag which greatly reduces any impact due to machine collision.

Methods Machine Tools, Inc., 65 Union Avenue, Sudbury, MA 01776, 978-443-5388, Fax: 978-440-9405, sales@methodsmachine.com, www.methodsmachine.com.

MULTITASKING TURNING CENTER WITH Y-AXIS
Hyundai WIA America Corporation (Carlstadt, NJ) offers the L2100Y/SY Series of CNC multitasking turning centers that are developed with a wedge-type Y-axis and BMT 65 (VDI 140) turret for completing complex milling and turning operations in a single setup. The synchronized 8 in main spindle and 6 in sub spindle (S-configured machines) enable high precision turning of both front and back of cylindrical parts. Swing over the bed is 630 mm. Swing over the carriage is 300 mm. Maximum turning diameter is 335 mm. Maximum turning length is 468 mm (455 mm for SY).

A demonstration of the L2100SY CNC multitasking turning center.

The rigid bed is designed to absorb vibration for stable machining. In order to eliminate thermal growth during machining, all axes are driven by high precision double-nut ballscrews. The double pretension design provides outstanding positioning and repeatability with virtually no thermal growth. All ballscrews are connected directly to the servo drive motors without gears or belts, eliminating backlash.