EPE and Trig Engineering have acquired three new CNC turning centres to further enhance their component production capacity.

A further machine will be installed in the near future at Trig Engineering.

The machines are Quick Turn Nexus 250MSY turning centres, which incorporate two spindles and a fourth axis, enabling production of a component with both turning and milling to completion in only one setup.

Benefits are said to include: improved quality due to single-operation manufacture; more efficient production method; possibility of reduced costs; and more competitive lead times.

The machines will add to the extensive range of turning centres Ensinger has at its two sites, further increasing its capacity in two-spindle and four-axis CNC turning.

EPE and Trig Engineering will announce additional services and further expansion plans in the near future.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/ens/ens108.html

The Maxima machine-tool range features exceptional build quality and competitive pricing and has many technical advantages over the more conventional multi-axis CNC lathes.

Developed to provide a cost-effective solution to repetitive operations, the Maxima series has 19 tool positions and seven axes.

Working area of a Maxima CNC automatic lathe offers a 3-axis upper slide with a maximum of eight fixed tools or a combination of four fixed tools and three driven tools.

The Maxima range complements the lower specification and more cost-effective Optima range for less complex parts.

The Maxima offers a three-axis upper slide with a maximum of eight fixed tools or a combination of four fixed tools and three driven tools.

This solution combines with a two-axis turret to enable two tools to simultaneously work on a component in the main spindle.

Adding to this innovation, the Maxima range has a turret at the middle of the work envelope that offers four driven tool positions, one of which is used for the pick-off spindle.

To enhance productivity, the turret is bi-directional via the shortest route.

This shaves vital seconds off production cycles and demonstrates the consideration Unamuno has paid to all aspects of the Maxima range to optimise production times.

The sub-spindle operates simultaneously with the main spindle to allow three tools to work at once - further slashing production times.

The motorised pick-off spindle in the turret holds the machined part and is synchronised with the main spindle.

Once the pick-off spindle collects the part from the main spindle, the component is then machined with the four-tool second-operation station that is mounted at the opposite end of the machine bed from the main spindle.

To further enhance productivity, the back working stations are available with live tooling configurations.

The Maxima range is available in 36, 42, 60 and 65mm-diameter capacity ranges.

This enables Leader CNC to offer customers highly productive turning solutions across a broad spectrum of diameters.

The Maxima 36 has the diversity and accuracy to accommodate small components while the Maxima 65 meets the demands of end users that require extremely rigid and robust turning centres that deliver productivity and capability second to none.

The range of turning centres is equipped with drill-breakage detection, pick-off component-expulsion detection and tool-life monitoring for lights-out production.

The ability to produce large batches on a lights-out basis is enhanced by a magazine barfeed that reduces the need for operator intervention.

The build quality of the Unamuno Maxima range is guaranteed with all axes, using high-speed servo motors and precision ball screws with absolute encoder positioning.

The powerful motor spindles from 7.5 to 15.5kW dependent upon machine size have high-speed acceleration and optional C-axis positioning, or full C-axis interpolation with the upper slide for complex machining.

With a focus on ease of use, Unamuno has developed a customer-friendly touch-screen control.

Suited for users accustomed to ISO programming, the Mitsubishi CNC control ensures that no specialised programming knowledge is needed, as the system uses intuitive programming techniques to program even the most complex of parts.

This ease of use is combined with high-performance features such as nano-control technology for ultra high-quality and precision machining.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/led/led141.html

Maplan produces all kinds of machine components. Since 30 years, Maplan is a leading company in mechanical subcontracting and outsourcing for block parts manufacturing, rotations symmetry manufacturing and plasticizing screws and rolls.

The new film on their homepage shows all possibilities and facilities of Maplan.
Customers worldwide appreciate the high accuracy level and use the offered services. Especially the options of machining big products like motor Blocks with a milling length of 45ft, height of 16ft and width of 18ft attracts the customers.

The film shows various machining methods provided by Maplan: CNC turning, CNC milling, CNC drilling. Furthermore you can see how some machines are working and what dimensions can be worked with.

You can watch the film on youtube.com or on their homepage.

www.maplan.de

Maplan is a machining company with an experience of 30 years. They are the leading company in mechanical subcontracting and outsourcing for block parts manufacturing, rotations symmetry manufacturing and plasticizing screws and rolls.
190 employees are working on over 20.000m2.

Maplan’s headquarter is in Schwerin, Germany.

More Information:

FUSE GmbH
Anna Heyers
Mittelweg 176
20148 Hamburg

http://www.openpr.com/news/122427/CNC-Turning-Maplan-releases-new-imagefilm.html

Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.

Fryer Easy Turn Combination Lathe with Siemens SINUMERIK 840D sl CNC
lets operators at Continental Machine program, set-up and run faster;
critical for one-off operations

By definition, says Josh Johnson, vice-president, Continental Machine,
Rockford, Illinois, his prototype and short-run production shop must
constantly run lean. There can be no tolerating excessive programming,
set-up or machining time of any kind, otherwise the shop loses and, in
this economy, Johnson notes, that is simply unacceptable.

Continental Machine is a seven-person, 13,000 square-foot facility that
houses a variety of CNC milling, turning, wire EDM, hole popping and
grinding machines, as well as various sheetmetal and plastic injection
molding machinery. Therefore, the shop is well positioned to produce a
wide variety of metal and plastic prototypes used by its diverse
customer base, which spans markets such as window hardware, bicycle
components, automotive parts, chemical processing, medical devices and
foodservice equipment. Materials processed here are just as
wide-ranging, including aluminum, CRS, tool steels such as A2 and D2,
zinc, brass, copper, bronze, titanium and a variety of engineered
plastics such as glass-filled Delrin.

Recently, this job shop purchased a Fryer Easy Turn-21 CNC Combination
Lathe, controlled by a Siemens SINUMERIK 840D sl numerical control. The
two operators responsible for this machine upgrade at Continental had
limited experience with CNC and none whatsoever with the Siemens
protocol, as this was the first of its kind at the shop.

The Easy Turn-21 was particularly appealing to Josh Johnson, who
comments, “The set-up is extremely easy. Teaching the tools, altering
the lengths and diameters is kept very simple. After the initial
learning curve, which took only a few days, the operators picked up on
the conversational programming, right away. Also, one of the best
features on the machine was that you could still turn the parts by
using the electronic handwheel and just one function, such as hogging
off material automatically or putting on a tapered thread.” He noted
this feature was not only more comfortable for the operators, but it
also allowed them to quickly and efficiently prove out part programs.
Johnson commented that this would not have been possible on previous
machines, owing to the flexibility of the control onboard the Fryer.
The result has been a minimum 20% improvement in the overall cycle time
on most part programs run at Continental. For this primarily prototype
job shop, that fact translates into a substantial increase in the work
product possible here.

Echoing this sentiment, Sue Ostrander, sales manager, Fryer Machine
Systems, explained the process that led her company to select the
SINUMERIK 840D sl numerical control for all its milling and turning
machines, a move that was recently formalized by the company and
announced to the trade.

“Since its inception 26 years ago, family-owned Fryer Machine Systems
has based its operation on three core principles: build a quality
product, price it fairly and provide quality service. This philosophy
has allowed Fryer’s business to grow even in challenging times,” she
said. Fryer manufactures a diverse line of over 50 models of
high-quality CNC machine tools in its 50,000 square-foot facility in
Patterson, New York. Over the years, Fryer has become well-respected
for its quality and innovation, throughout the job shop and production
machining market segments. “Moving to the Siemens 840D sl platform was
the next step in Fryer’s ongoing commitment to provide our customers
with the most innovative machine tools available in the market today,”
Ostrander continued. “The Siemens solution allows machine tool
end-users to achieve higher productivity through easy and intuitive
features and step-by-step, on-screen programming. This enables them to
dramatically reduce set-up, programming, and tooling times, while
significantly increasing output.” “The SINUMERIK 840D sl modular design
allows us to take full advantage of the superior mechanical features in
our machines,” continued Larry Fryer, president and CEO, Fryer Machine
Systems. “Fryer has always been known for our easy conversational
controls and the move to Siemens has allowed us to greatly enhance this
feature,” Fryer noted. “The 840D sl menu-driven system combines an
advanced geometry calculator that displays the part while the operator
is programming it. Sophisticated solid model graphics allow the
operator to verify the part program with more clarity than ever
before,” he said. Larry Fryer has also been impressed with the
automatic tool set-up and easy part set-up, made possible by the
Siemens CNC. Fryer explained that auto-run mode is where many operators
experience difficulty. Siemens and Fryer Machine Systems worked
together to create an electronic handwheel run mode that gives the
operator a safer way to prove out program execution, both forward and
backward, using a standard electronic handwheel. Fryer further stated,
“Siemens provides us with a highly flexible solution that is critical
to our ability to meet the specific needs of each customer. Our
enhanced capability to offer the same control for both turning and
milling gives Fryer machines a unified platform that is very important
to customers both in the short-term and for long range expansion.
Coupled with Siemens quality and reliability, they are invaluable to us
in competing in today’s aggressive marketplace.”

Johnson added this comment on the service and training received by his
operators at Continental. “Siemens has been helpful and very thorough
in their training and after-sale service. The ShopTurn program, being
integral to the control, now enables us to accurately determine tool
path, potential collisions, tool changes and real world run time. This
makes our operators’ jobs much easier, with the added benefit of
allowing us to estimate much more accurately than ever.” Johnson
further noted the CNC has substantial hard drive space, thus allowing
most programs to be stored directly on the machine, though the company
does maintain a back-up system.

http://news.thomasnet.com/companystory/570798

Slant Turn NEXUS 550M has headstock with 10.8 in. bore mounted on 60 hp, 1,000 rpm turning spindle that generates up to 5,163 ft-lbs of torque. Spindle is also used as C-axis, capable of being indexed at 0.001° increments to position part for slotting cuts and precisely drilled holes. Additionally, C-axis spindle acts as full-function CNC controlled axis for milling. System also has 10 hp, 4,000 rpm milling spindle for roughing, grooving, endmilling and facemilling.

CNC Turning Center is designed for large part applications.

Mazak’s Slant Turn NEXUS Series Ideal for Large Part Turning

Florence, Kentucky, November 4, 2009 - Mazak’s Slant Turn NEXUS 550M is a powerful, heavy-duty CNC turning center designed for large part turning applications such as oil field pipes, pipeline control valves, turbine wheels, aircraft and off-road parts and the production of power generating components for the aerospace, oil, gas, coal and nuclear industries. The Slant Turn NEXUS series is a renovation of Mazak’s successful Slant Turn series of CNC lathes.

The STN550M’s headstock features a 10.8″ bore mounted on a 60 hp, 1,000 rpm turning spindle generates up to 5,163 ft-lbs of torque for heavy duty cutting of large workpieces. The spindle is also used as a C-axis, capable of being indexed at 0.001° increments to accurately position the part for slotting cuts and precisely drilled holes. Additionally, the C-axis spindle is a full-function CNC controlled axis for milling.

For convenient tool management, the STN550M utilizes a 12-position drum turret for rapid tool indexing. The machine is also equipped with a 10 hp, 4,000 rpm high speed milling spindle for roughing, grooving, endmilling and facemilling operations, allowing many processes to be completed in a single machine cycle. The STN550M’s total travels are 18.25″ in the X-axis and 129.88″ in the Z-axis, with a 40.7″ swing capacity and a capacity steady rest of 16.14″.

The machine also features an NC servo-driven tailstock to enable automated processes. The tailstock is fully programmable, driving the W-axis on its own AC servomotor and ball screw. Through the part program, the tailstock will retract to a known position and its center makes contact with the part with consistent holding pressure. Further, because of its positive independent drive system, the tailstock can be used to drill holes on a shaft centerline adding versatility to the jobs it can process.

The sixth-generation Mazatrol MATRIX NEXUS CNC simplifies multi-tasking metalworking operations on the STN550M. It offers a 12″ LCD color display and the familiar QWERTY keyboard. A pointing device, acting like a mouse, and USB port for downloading programs are also at the operator’s fingertips.

Conversational part programming can be accomplished in Mazatrol language while the machine is cutting another part, or off-line in a CAD/CAM system. Once imported into Mazatrol MATRIX, a realistic 3D cycle simulation verifies the machining cycle and checks for machine interferences, greatly reducing the need for test cuts.

About Mazak Corporation
Committed to being your partner in innovation, Mazak Corporation is a global pioneer in the manufacture of productivity-improving machine tool solutions. With plants throughout Japan, Asia and the United Kingdom, Mazak’s strengths include a world-class facility in Florence, Kentucky for production-on-demand of the latest machine tool technologies and equipment.http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/568390

For the manufacture of turned parts up to 7mm diameter, an easy to operate CNC turning centre precisely machines small components to a guaranteed precision of +/-2 micron.

At the UK’s MACH 2008 machine tool exhibition, Tornos will be giving the Micro 7 its UK exhibition debut.

The new Micro 7 guarantees precision of +/-2 micron whilst demonstrating excellent flexibility, productivity and operator simplicity, said Tornos.

Designed for the manufacture of turned parts up to 7mm diameter, the Micro 7 is ideally suited to the precise small component and electronics sectors.

With a maximum workpiece length of 60mm and a spindle and counter spindle speed of 20,000 rev/min, Tornos is offering a highly productive machine proven to outperform the cam-type machines that have dominated this small component sector.

Tornos told manufacturingtalk.com that to enhance processing times the Micro 7 combines its high speed spindles with simultaneous machining in front and back operation modes.

* Flexibility - with flexibility instilled in every aspect of the Micro 7, this remarkable machine can hold up to 20 tools on a 5 + 2 axes configuration (with C-axis), explained Tornos.

The Micro 7 can work with a wide range of tool holders and equipment suited to the exacting needs of every user.

Meeting the productivity, accuracy and flexibility demands of the modern machine shop, the tools on the Micro 7 work independently for flexible manufacture.

* Programming choice - for ease of use and customer simplicity, Tornos is launching this machine with the option of the renowned Tornos TB-Deco programming system or the industry standard ISO system driven by a Fanuc Series 32i control.

All these elements are built upon a strong and rigid construction that delivers the productivity and accuracy benefits associated with the Tornos family of turning centres.

For further information on the Tornos Micro 7 that will be available from the second quarter of 2008 or any alternate turning centres in the Tornos range, please come and visit us at MACH 2008, said Tornos.

* Tornos Technologies at MACH 2008, NEC, Birmingham.

UK, April 21-25, Hall 5, Stand 5575.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/toa/toa188.html

Schenke Tool Co in Paradise, Pa adds a third CNC lathe to its facility, a new Haas SL-20 CNC Turning Center to increase CNC Turning capacity.

The Haas SL-20 has a turning capacity of 10.3″ in diameter x 20″ long, with an 8″ chuck and thru bar capacity of 2.0″ diameter. The Haas lathe also includes a high speed spindle which results in precision parts at very cost effective prices.

About Us: Schenke Tool Company has been a manufacturer of precision parts for almost 60 years. Our customers have relied on our extensive knowledge, precise machining and high quality control as we have led the way in part manufacturing and tooling.

In addition to our new CNC Lathe, we have recently added our second waterjet cutter, featuring a taper compensating cutting head, and a new AC/DC Inverter TIG welder in addition to our Robotic welder to add to our welding capabilities.

We have been successful by combining advanced techniques, quality control and extensive knowledge, so that we can continue to offer you complete customer satisfaction.

http://news.thomasnet.com/companystory/562241