Monforts lathe selected by Seco for cutting trials

Monforts, represented in the UK by Leader CNC Technologies, has recently supplied an RNC700 CNC lathe to the Swedish tool manufacturer Seco Tools as a direct result of exhaustive cutting trials. When selecting a lathe, absolute rigidity plus exceptional power and torque were essential to Seco, which will now use the Monforts RNC700 to test and develop new cutting tools and inserts. Equipped with a Fanuc 18iT control and utilizing Monforts unique hydrostatic carrier arrangement, the RNC700 provides 60 kW at 100 per cent duty rate and develops over 3,000 N/m of torque. Tested on a C45 steel billet with a diameter of 160 mm and 1 m length, the rigidity and stability of the RNC700 far outweighed that of competitor machines. The first cut was an external turning operation at 450 m/min with an 8 mm depth of cut at a feed rate of 0.4 mm. With these parameters the power meter indicated 54 kW. Further cuts were done and 340 m/min was achieved, again at a depth of 8 mm and at a feed of 0.8 mm with the power meter indicating 80kW, which is an overload of 40 per cent. Finally, grooving tests were conducted with a 10 mm insert, starting at 250 m/min at 0.2 mm feed and achieving 300 m/min at 0.35 mm feed. All cutting tests far exceeded the expectations of Seco.