The Japanese machine tool builder, Okuma, has introduced a new, universal cylindrical CNC grinder for chucking or between-centres working on components up to 300 mm diameter, 650 mm long.

The Japanese machine tool builder, Okuma, has introduced a new,universal cylindrical CNC grinder for chucking or between-centresworking on components up to 300 mm diameter, 650 mm long.Designated GU-34T, the machine is available in the UK throughsole agent, NCMT. The combination of an internal grinding spindlewith straight-approach and angle-approach external grindingwheels allows the most complex components to be produced in oneset-up. As a result, floor-to-floor times are reduced andaccuracy is improved by not having to refixture the part onanother grinder.

The diamond dresser is able to dress both ID andOD grinding wheels and has automatic withdrawal to preventinterference during production.

Swivelling of the internalgrinding spindle into the working position is automatic and thetailstock may be conveniently slid out of the way, rather thanhaving to remove it entirely from the work table.

Internal tapergrinding is achieved by swivelling the headstock by up to 90degrees, with fine adjustment up to 17 degrees being made usingthe table swivel.

Changeover between straight- and angle-approachexternal grinding is effected manually by swivelling thewheelhead through 30 degrees and reclamping, a process madevirtually effortless by a pneumatic head support.

The mountingnut needs only to be loosened, not removed, when changing thewheel.

Two design features are of particular note.

Themaintenance-free wheel spindle has a non-cylindrical, plainbearing which runs in an oil reservoir, ensuring rotationalaccuracy of 0.01 æm.

Contributing further to top accuracymachining is the wide 'V-flat' guideway structure forthe saddle.

Other principal machine specification includes IDgrinding in the diameter range 10 - 120 mm; maximum workpieceweight between centres of 50 kg; grinding at up to 2,700 m/min;and rapid traverse in both the X and Z axes of 20 m/min.

Controlis by Okuma's own OSP-U10G CNC which incorporates asstandard the company's MacMan system, offering a wide rangeof data transfer facilities.

Programs, component and toolingdrawings and parts orders can be made available on-line whileprogress data can be collected fully- or semi-automatically foranalysis off-line.

In addition to its machine rebuilding and retrofitting services, IMTS also designs and manufactures a range of new grinding machines including CNC cylindrical grinders.

Established 20 years ago, Industrial Machine Tool Services (IMTS)in Rochester, Kent offers a wide range of specialised grindingservices. This includes: complete machine rebuilds, partialrebuilds, CNC retrofitting, on-site service (for both manual andCNC grinders) and the supply of spare parts. In addition,however, IMTS also designs and manufactures a range of newgrinding machines which include the Rochester series of CNCcylindrical grinders.

One such new model, a Rochester 850 CNCcylindrical grinder, has helped a leading bearing manufacturer toimprove productivity on a range of inner bearing rings requiredin small batches -- generally around 20 off.

Using a magneticface plate (with varying gripping force), this three axis CNCmachine grinds the OD of the bearing rings which are supported bytwo curved brass shoes.

Both the 500mm diameter grinding wheeland the 250mm diameter bearings run in the same direction (likecentreless grinding) so that the parts are forced down into thesupport shoes as they are ground.

Compared with manual methods,CNC grinding provides more consistent results and has cut cycletimes by 60% and set-up times by 70%.

This customised Rochester850 grinder has a centre height of 150mm, 850mm between centresand an NUM 1040 CNC system with special software (for dovetailwheel dressing, angle approach grinding and gothic arch-typeprofiles) written by IMTS.

A menu-driven display simplifieson-machine programming routines.

The straight-approach machinehas a CNC radial dresser and two diamond dressers mounted on thetailstock and can grind at peripheral wheels speeds of up to45m/sec.

These bearing rings are finished ground to 1 micron onthe profile, 0.4 micron for roundness and with surface finishlevels of 0.8 micron Ra\.

A two station cross-hatch-pattern-finishing machine can be used for flat and spherical surfaces with high accuracy.

A two station cross-hatch-pattern-finishing machine can be usedfor flat and spherical surfaces with high accuracy. Part feedingis via NC-axis. The machine has a rapid feed as well as a finefeed with spark-out operation.

Therefore extreme high parallismand surface flatness, such as required for pump parts withstepped surfaces and uneven cross sections, can be produced.

Themachine can be operated semi automatically or automatically.

Anoptional attachment is a gauging device.

The machine can beeasily operated and has a low change-over time.

Therefore only alow budget for tools is required.

The machine offers an universalapplication, including the automotive, hydraulic components in,injection pumps, electronics industries and others.

Theelectrical cabinet contains the control, which isfreely-programmable.

The control panel contains a CRT for faultdiagnostics, operator guidance and process visualisation.

Themachine accepts components up to 400 mm diameter.

Working dia.

Is30 - 300 mm and workpiece height is 1 - 185 mm, or larger onrequest.

Developed to achieve the most cost-effective grinding, the latest Schutte WU 305 five-axis universal tool and production grinding machine is equipped with an automatic wheel changer.

Developed to achieve the most cost-effective grinding of cuttingtools and components, the latest Schutte WU 305 five-axisuniversal tool and production grinding machine is equipped withan automatic wheel changing system and magazine able to hold fourdifferent wheel and arbor assemblies. As part of the wheel changeprocedure, coolant nozzles are also automatically exchanged inorder to ensure delivery is optimised for each size and shape ofgrinding wheel. Available from Traub Heckert UK, the grindingperformance of the WU 305 is maximised through the use of directdrive digital AC motors to grinding spindle, universal rotaryaxis and C-axis positioning.

The compact, high-performancegrinding spindle has a 15 kW power rating giving up to 12,000revs/min while the three linear axes have maximum feed rates of24 m/min.

The closed-loop universal workhead rotary axis ispowered by a 4.7 kW motor capable of 2,500 revs/min and iscapable of high accuracy positioning within 0.0002deg via theC-axis.

It will accommodate components up to 250 mm diameter by570 mm between centres.

The WU 305 is capable of cylindricalgrinding, helical grinding and grinding features such as the fullradius on ballnose cutters, step drills and shell end mills aswell as special tool forms.

In addition, production cylindricalgrinding and heavy duty plunge grinding can be carried out due tothe inherent rigidity of the machine.

On machine inspection canbe carried out via an integral 3D Renishaw probe mounted on thegrinding head.

The probe, for instance, is able to determineunclamped length, diameter, helix lead and indexing position ofthe spiral flute on the circumference of cutting tools such asend mills and feeds the data direct to the Siemens control fromwhich the automatic grinding cycle is initiated.

The machine iscompact having a footprint of just 1718 mm x 1840 mm with axistravels of 400 mm by 250 mm by 250 mm.

The machine is designedwith the grinding wheelhead set at 30deg to the vertical with thecentre of the wheel close to the centre of the workheadrotational C-axis to maximise rigidity.

And, because thelongitudinal guideway is inclined at 30deg, coolant effectivelywashes away grinding debris into the coolant tank filter systemand makes the rotary axis more convenient for manual loading.

Anoptional automatic workpiece loader that is integral in themachine is available for parts between 4 mm and 32 mm diameterand weighing up to 1.2 kg.

The pallet system is mounted on thelongitudinal axis of the machine with the workpieces positionedvertically.

The table and head axes are used to position thepick-up for transferring the workpiece from the pallet to theworkhead.

During grinding, the loading arm is parked in a safetyzone over the wheelhead of the machine.

The WU 305 uses theSinumerik 840D control system with Windows-based 'openarchitecture' special Schutte grinding software that is easyto use allowing programs to be entered or edited on the machinewith full graphics support.

There is a wide choice of menu-driventool-specific programs with operator prompts to simplify andspeed up programming for milling cutters, drills, step drills andstep tools as well as profile knives and cutting tools used inwoodworking and plastics machining.

The Uranos M Flexible Multi-functional Machining Centre is the first product following the merger of the Schleifring Group's automation orientated companies, Schaudt Mikrosa BWF.

The Uranos M Flexible Multi-functional Machining Centre is thefirst product following the merger of the SchleifringGroup's automation orientated companies, Schaudt Mikrosa BWFGmbH. Shown at the AMB machine tool exhibition in Stuttgart lastyear, the Uranos M is of pick-up spindle design. It wasdemonstrated hard turning and internal and external grinding anautomotive timing gear.

Cycle time was around 60s.

Operations onthe timing gear included rough turn the bore and fillets,finish-turn faces, finish grind the bore and then externallygrind corners.

The pick-up spindle processes components throughthree workstations which can be configured for turning, internaland external grinding (using an ID grinding wheel up to 400mmdiameter) or, grinding OD and ID and superfinishing.

Machinedesign features a cast mineral concrete bed, hydrostaticguideways, use of linear motors on the X axis and stable grindingwheel dressing using high frequency dressing spindle and diamondform roll.

Working range is 280mm swing diameter by 100mmworkpiece width.

Main spindle operates at 0 - 3000 rev/min anddelivers torque up to 300Nm.

X axis stroke (main spindlepositioning axis) is 1500mm at up to 60m/min and positioning iswithin a resolution of 0.0001mm.

Z axis stroke is 250mm at30m/min and 0.0001mm resolution.

CNC is Siemens Sinumerik 840D.The Uranos M machines are designed for placing together in closegroups in confined spaces.

Toyoda has announced the GU4x100, the first universal grinder ever built by the Japanese manufacturer.

Toyoda has announced the GU4x100, the first universal grinderever built by the Japanese manufacturer. Indexing of thewheelhead is effected manually in five degree increments using aHirth coupling and hydraulic clamping to ensure precise location.Either of two external grinding wheels for straight- orangle-approach may be deployed, or alternatively an internalgrinding spindle. The machine's introduction heralds furtheruniversal models, according to Mick Webster, European OperationsDirector, as well as the introduction of powered wheelheadrotation under CNC.

Toyoda is known worldwide for externalcylindrical grinders and in the UK has around 20 per cent of themarket (MTTA figures).

The company does not produce internalgrinders, so the appearance of this new model, available in twoversions with 1,000 mm or 1,500 mm between centres, representsthe first time that Toyoda has offered equipment for producingcomponents requiring internal as well as OD grinding.

Thespecification includes maximum internal and external grindingdiameters of 300 mm and 120 mm respectively, 320 mm swing overthe table and a wheel surface speed of 30 m/s (optionally 45m/s).

A second innovation is an upgraded version of the GL5Pstraight-approach cylindrical grinder capable of peripheral wheelspeeds of up to 120 m/s, 50 per cent more than the previousmaximum.

The increased rev/min enables the high speed productionof parts using cubic boron nitride (CBN) abrasive wheels.

Cycletimes are typically 20 per cent less than when using conventionalaluminium oxide wheels.

Toyoda has the hard turning market in itssights with the introduction of this machine.

More and more,lathe suppliers are claiming that hardened metals may be turnedat high production rates and with the added flexibility ofsingle-point turning.

To emphasise the grinder'ssuperiority, Toyoda points out that the GL5P can producecomponents in hardened steel by traversing the wheel across thediameters and shoulders, rather than by plunge grinding.Angle-approach grinding with a CBN wheel, a combination which isvery unusual, is also possible with the GL5A variant of thismachine as was demonstrated at MACH 1998.

Both 'A' and'P' versions are offered in two bed lengths havingbetween-centres capacities of 320 mm or 630 mm.

A new competitively priced hydraulically operated table surface grinding machine developed by Okamoto, the world's largest grinding machine manufacturer, incorporates AC servo control.

A new competitively priced hydraulically operated table surface grinding machine developed by Okamoto, the world's largest grinding machine manufacturer, incorporates AC servo control to provide a very simple to operate automatic vertical down-feed operation of the wheelhead to a high precision datum. Targeted to meet toolroom grinding requirements and small batch surface grinding, the Okamoto ACC-450 DXA machine is now available from 600 Centre of Shepshed, Loughborough. It has been priced very competitively due to the economy of scale production build capability of the Japanese company.

The machine includes a fully automatic grinding cycle through the Okamoto microprocessor based control with digital readout in two axes.

A coarse and fine downfeed selection are available at one, or both table reversals with automatic cross-saddle reversal.

The ACC-450 DXA weighs some 1.25 tonnes and is built on a heavily ribbed Meehanite casting.

Rigidity is high to accommodate heavy roughing and precise finishing cycles with a twin-vee saddle and table construction.

Magnetic chuck size is 450 mm by 150 mm with longitudinal travel of 530 mm.

Cross travel is 175 mm and the air gap between the 205 mm by 25 mm by 31.75 mm wheel and table is 310 mm.

The Wheel spindle has a 1.5 kW direct drive giving 2.850 revs/min.

Automatic downfeed is between 0.0001 and 0.03 mm with a cross-feed per revolution of 5 mm.

Continuous cross-feed rate is specified as between 0.16 to 0.4 m/min and intermittent cross-feed between 0 and 1.5 mm.

Options include, PG OPTI-DRESS or overhead straight dresser.

The world innovation - the NEF 320 K - a conventional lathe with navigator system rounds off successful NEF product line.

The world innovation - the NEF 320 K - a conventional lathe with navigator system rounds off successful NEF product line. TWIN 500, CTV 200/250, TWIN 32, GM 35-8, or SPRINT 42 - behind all of these names are hitech innovations from the Gildemeister concern in the field of turning, each and every one of which has set new standards. But if you really want to be serious in claiming the attribute of full liner, then you shouldn't restrict your attention alone to the high-end segment.

What small production plant and the workshop and training fields especially need are flexible lathes for single indexing and job lot production.

These companies have always been the traditional clients of Gildemeister, and now they are given a very special innovation in the form of the new NEF K line, in other words a 'conventional' lathe that optimises both the data processing and its operation alike with electromagnetic IF gears, digital drives, pretensioned (and so zero backlash) ball spindles, electronic handwheels, and - last, but not least - the control panel with touch screen display.

Armed with a 750 mm centre distance and 320 mm swing, users can now profit from the latest equipment as soon as they enter the realm of lathe technology.

In brief, the advantages are as follows: a constant cutting speed optimises cutting conditions; the orientated spindle mount in place of the chuck key reduces tooling times; new drive concept for the finest of surfaces; continuously adjustable rpm and feed rates optimise cutting conditions; optimised cutting performance and tool life; chip breaks and surface quality optimised during cutting; production safety and the greatest ease of operation; greatest ease of use and an extraordinary price performance ratio.

Ease of use is a direct result of a special Siemens compact controller whose touch screen control panel lets you easily enter values for rpm, feed, and thread pitch and which provides functions for travelling to the stop measure, radiusing, and automatic taper turning.

So operators no longer need to set stops for the lathe saddle or radial facing slide, never again need to switch between change gears, never again need to set the levers for rpm, feed, and threads, and never again need to adjust taper turning attachments.

The NEF K line lets you do all this at the touch screen control panel in self-explanatory input masks and parameter dialogs.

So no matter whether for jigs and fixtures, tools, or moulds, whether for prototypes or models, whether for servicing or in training shops - the product lines NEF and NEF K from Gildemeisterhave redefined the field of universal lathes for single indexing and job lot production.

Specifications for the NEF 320 K include a swing of 320mm; distance between centres of 750mm; main drive of 7kW; 7 maximum spindle speed of 3,550 rev/min; tailstock sleeve diameter of 70mm and sleeve spindle nose MK 5.

Top seller in the Pinacho electronic lathe range is the Mustang, which is now available from Traub Heckert UK of Brackley.

Top seller in the Pinacho electronic lathe range is the Mustang, which is now available from Traub Heckert UK of Brackley. The Spanish machine tool builder ships some 300 lathes each month and has appointed Traub Heckert to capitalise on its turning application engineering expertise, sales and service support in the UK. The Mustang is available in two capacities in the standard 200 and 225 versions which reflects centre height over the flat bed.

Between centre distance options are 1,000mm and 1,500mm on both machines while a heavier duty C400 version can be specified with 2,000mm and 5,000mm between centres.

Swing over the 400-450 HB hardened and ground bed is 400mm and 450mm respectively.

While main spindle power is 7.5kW, the machines have an automatic change between low and high range at 700 revs/min.

The highest spindle speed is 3,000 revs/min and X and Z axis rapid traverse rates are 10m/min.

Central to the Pinacho machine concept is the latest Fagor 8055TC control with high capacity memory.

The control also provides a constant cutting speed where the automatic range change is initiated with the two speed gearbox.

The high resolution graphics screen provides a choice of visualisation zones and zoom with high level solid and trajectory graphical simulation of turning and profiling cycles.

Through electronic handwheels, manual operation is ergonomic and simple and the operating resolution of the handwheels can be changed at will.

Macro or canned routines of most frequently used turning cycles can be called from memory and used in conjunction with the positioning handwheel while a profile editor automatically creates the finished program.

For subsequent part production, a full CNC operation can be performed direct from memory.

Part of the Traub Heckert specification is the inclusion of a 'ready to run' package with chuck and quick-change tooling system.

With this tooling system operators will be able to achieve higher productivity and more accurate and consistent tool exchanges.

Alternatively, the Mustang can be purchased with an eight-station VDI 30 tooling automatic turret.

The installation of a Harrison Alpha Plus 550S manual/CNC lathe has led to a dramatic reduction in product cycle times for Stoke-based sub-contractor, Alton Precision Engineering.

The installation of a Harrison Alpha Plus 550S manual/CNC lathe, supplied by Derek Robinson Machine Tools of Leicester, has led to a dramatic reduction in product cycle times for Stoke-based sub-contractor, Alton Precision Engineering. The Harrison's state-of-the-art Alpha System software is playing a crucial part in the lathe's remarkable productivity and has won the unreserved approval of its operators. Alton Precision Engineering required an affordable, versatile and user-friendly high-performance lathe for turning a wide range of components with diameters of 100-400mm, in carbon and stainless steel, super-duplex and brass.

Precision-made parts manufactured by Alton include hydraulic pistons and cylinders, grinding wheel centres and components for use in machinery supplied to the bakery and pottery industries.

Already familiar with products from 600 Lathes' highly acclaimed product range, the Alpha Plus 550S was chosen by Alton for its combination of performance and versatility, which together have contributed to a reduction in product cycle times of between 15% and 20%.

The Alpha Plus 550S supplied to Alton features a 2m bed, 550mm swing, and a spindle speed of up to 1800 rpm, and is used particularly for one-off and small batch production.

Company Director, John Salt, explained, 'We looked at a number of different lathes but only the Alpha offered the combination of accuracy, ease-of-use and flexibility required by the wide range of precision applications undertaken at Alton.

The fact that we've been impressed by the performance and reliability of other machine tools from 600 Lathes only added to the Alpha's appeal'.

Crucially, the Alpha's all-round ability has also enabled Alton to win a long-running contract to supply a precision-made hydraulic component whose internal shape could not have been produced cost effectively using a traditional centre lathe.

John Salt explained, 'The sheer versatility of the Alpha provides us with scope for taking on new business while helping to streamline our existing operations and maximize the company's overall productivity'.

A key factor in the Alpha's success at Alton is its innovative software control system, developed by Harrison to provide highly flexible yet remarkably user-friendly programming and operation, ideal for the fulfillment of one-off orders, prototypes and both small and large batches.

Two fundamental aspects of this system are the lathe's AlphaLink CAD/CAM system and AlphaSystem semi-automatic, autocycling and electronic handwheel (manual) modes of operation.

These systems are accessed through a twin keypad configuration, providing the operator with the choice of ISO CNC operation from the right-hand keypad and AlphaLink and AlphaSystem interactive operation from the left-hand keypad.

The right-hand ISO keypad has full CNC facilities, utilising canned cycles G70 to G76, tool nose radius and wear offsets, tool path graphics, inch/metric conversion and background editing.

Programs can be entered and/or edited directly at the machine.

The left-hand keypad generates on-screen programmed sequential operations in simple question/answer page format for parallel turning, chamfer, radius, taper and multi-start threads.

Another powerful 'user-friendly' feature of the Alpha Plus 550S is that graphical representation and CNC control is through the super compact GE Fanuc 21i-T controller, featuring a grey-scale TFT (thin film transistor) flat screen.

The 21i-T has a powerful memory, providing instantaneous response to program commands through ultra high-speed serial communications (single optic fibre).

Troubleshooting and data input/output are accommodated with a PCMCIA modem slot.

The Alpha's accuracy is another important factor in its overall appeal and has enabled Alton to manufacture components within tolerances ofñ 0.01mm.

John Salt explained, 'The Alpha has obviously been engineered for highly accurate machining, delivering a level of repeatability which guarantees the consistent quality of every component we produce.

The Alpha's combination of build quality and state-of-the-art control means we can manufacture identical batches of components to tight tolerances, over and over again, irrespective of which machinist operates the lathe'.

Summing up the wide-ranging appeal of the Alpha Plus 550S at Alton, John Salt commented, 'The Alpha's combination of ease-of-use, accuracy and remarkable versatility belies its competitive price and accounts for its enormous contribution to our productivity and manufacturing capacity.

Not only has the Alpha Plus 550S enabled us to speed-up our production cycle times without compromising the quality of our products, the lathe's all-round ability has opened up a number of opportunities for us to win additional business and increase our profitability'.

Unrivalled ease-of-use features the latest manual/CNC lathe, thanks to its specially developed Fanuc/Harrison control and full-size colour touch-screen. It makes its debut at IMTS.

High capability and exceptional value for money will be the key underlying themes of 600 Group's considerable presence at the forthcoming IMTS show in Chicago. As well as tried and tested products from the Group's celebrated ranges, the show will also provide a backdrop for the launch of a number of exciting new machine tool innovations. 600 Group's major involvement in the show signals its confidence that a gradual recovery in the US machine tool market is now within sight.

Central to 600 Group's IMTS activity will be world's first showing of the new Alpha U 2 manual/CNC lathe from Harrison, offering unrivalled ease-of-use thanks to its specially developed Fanuc/Harrison control and full-size colour touch-screen.

Colchester's driven-tooling equipped Storm 120M and 220M, the US version of its highly successful Tornado turning centre, will also be on show, as will Colchester's Combi K state-of-the-art CNC/manual lathe.

Continuing the theme of high capability will be Pratt Burnerd America's much-publicised Programmable Power Chuck, whose ability to be program-controlled and fully integrated with the parent machine's own control earned it the coveted title of Best workholding equipment at the International machine tool industry Awards in April.

In response to market demand for ever-lower equipment costs, Colchester will unveil the latest incarnation of the world's most famous lathe, the Colchester Triumph centre lathe, complete with infinitely variable spindle speed and now available at the unprecedented and highly competitive price of $20,000.

IMTS will also see the US launch of Richmond Machine Tools' range of high-specification vertical machining centres, as well as Electrox' highly acclaimed Cobra Marker laser marking system and representation from Crawford Collets.

From its own stand at the show, 600 Group company Clausing Industrial will exhibit its extensive range of turning, milling, sa wing and sheet metal products from Group brands Kalamazoo and Metal Muncher.

600 Group Chief Executive, Tony Sweeten, explained, '600 Group's intensive IMTS campaign will focus on a powerful combination of great value machines and those which offer high levels of capability and performance.

The fact that the Group will be so well represented at the show reflects our unswerving faith in this important machine tool market and our long-standing belief that a dynamic and large-scale approach befits a machine tool force of 600 Group's global stature'.

A dramatic turnaround in the demand for conventional lathes has enabled a lathe builder to reduce the price of selected models in its centre lathe range by up to 40 per cent.

A dramatic turnaround in the demand for conventional lathes which has improved the benefits associated with economies of scale has enabled Colchester Lathe to reduce the price of selected models in its centre lathe range by up to 40 per cent. The new pricing structure is in response to Colchester Lathes' distributors reporting a world-wide resurgence of training schools and workshops who are preferring to buy known brands such as Colchester. This follows bad experiences such as long-term reliability, poor spares and service support and disastrous residual values that are a growing problem associated with the newer breed of low-cost centre lathe suppliers.

The effect of the market shift in Colchester's favour is qualified by a recent surge in demand where some GBP 750,000 worth of centre lathes have been ordered from seven different countries in the Far East, America and Southern Ireland.

According to Sales Director, Mike Dawes: 'Sales of our traditional centre lathes have experienced a dramatic turnaround.

This has motivated us to rationalise machines in the range and certain key component parts while maintaining or improving quality of build.

With orders rising, we have been able to instigate value engineering and more competitive sourcing which also capitalises on the efficient production methods that are well-proven on our two and three-axis Tornado CNC lathe range.' Over the last five years or so, Colchester Lathe has grown its market share with its CNC range of slant bed Tornado and the Combi combination lathe.

Says Mike Dawes: 'Now with the new economies of scale, we have justified a total re-focus on our conventional machines which has resulted in a massive 40 per cent reduction in price on selected models.' When this is added to the world respected name of Colchester, built-up from over a century of centre lathe manufacture and being Europe's biggest lathe builder, distributors have already responded with a growing order book.

The latest 'special edition' variable speed centre lathe is now available from just GBP 12,750 - representing a massive price reduction of 40 per cent from the previous model.

The latest 'special edition' Triumph VS2500 variable speed centre lathe is now available from Colchester Sales from just GBP 12,750 a massive price reduction of 40 per cent from the previous model. Based on a world-wide resurgence in the conventional manual machine market for Colchester Lathe and extensive value engineering, the new Triumph has a 7.5kW motor with triple range, variable speed drive giving 14 to 2,500 revs/min. It has a 400 mm swing over the 1250mm long hardened and ground bed and has been regarded internationally as the 'best-known' model of centre lathe.

The machine weighs in at a hefty 1,610kg in standard trim which demonstrates the inherent rigidity of the basic machine design and potential for high accuracy turning tasks.

The price reduction is a result of a swing to traditional centre lathe manufacturers such as Colchester Lathe due to problems of long-term reliability, poor spares and service support and disastrous residual values associated with low cost suppliers over the last five years or so.

This has enabled Colchester Lathe to respond to rising demand especially in workshop, education and training schools and instigate value engineering and competitive sourcing to maintain the level of quality associated with the brand name and make it more affordable.

The installation of an 'electronic' lathe has saved up to a third in machining times over previous methods for copper welding arms and released CNC machines for higher volume work.

The installation of a Pinacho Mustang 200 'electronic' lathe by StarragHeckert UK of Brackley has saved up to a third in machining times over previous methods for copper welding arms at Welding Electrode Store of Redruth, Cornwall. Says Andrew Hosking, managing director: 'We carefully evaluated the market for the most suitable machine before purchasing the Pinacho and concluded that it represented excellent value for money over the competition. The added benefit of the flexibility of the Mustang 200 is that it releases our other CNC machines for higher volume work.' The decision to purchase was also aided by the ability and reputation of StarragHeckert UK as a lathe specialist with the resource to provide training and full service backup.

Installed in August 2001, the electronic Pinacho is now used exclusively for the production of welding arm components which were previously machined on more expensive CNC machines or manual centre lathes using skilled operators.

It is in daily use producing batches of between one and 10 components that vary in diameter from 12 mm to 50 mm and are up to 500mm long.

Tolerances are generally within + 0.05mm.

The copper welding arms are widely used by the automotive industry for fitment to industrial robots engaged in car body welding and are ordered directly by the vehicle manufacturers from the Redruth company.

Welding Electrode Store, which is a 30 employee company with some 10 CNC and 15 manual machines on the shopfloor, produces resistance welding equipment and consumables for most of the major automotive companies in the UK.

The Pinacho Mustang 200 has a swing over the bed of 400mm, a 7.5kW drive giving up to 3,000 revs/min with constant cutting speed and electronic handwheels for X and Z axes.

Ideal for single parts or small batch runs, the operator is fully supported by high level graphics with a choice of different visualisation zones as well as zoom and a large capacity memory allows program storage for repeat machining tasks.