Fast, productive B-axis, twin-turret, twin-spindle milling and turning centre from Nakamura Tome

Available now from Turning Technologies UK, part of the Engineering Technology Group and the sole UK and Ireland representative for Nakamura Tome turning centres, the machine is aimed at smaller components having multiple features, particularly where angular positioning is required. The upper, B-axis, turret can swing through 182° degrees for the in-cycle milling and drilling of angled features, while one-hit machining is further enhanced by Y axes on both turrets that offer an 80 mm stroke on the upper turret and 65 mm on the lower turret. The angular positioning capability of the B-axis turret configuration typically gives much shorter cycle times on components than an ATC (Automatic Tool Changer) type machine, due to its short chip-to-chip times. The small dodecahedral, servo-driven turrets give a chip-to-chip time of around 1.5s, compared to 8s for an ATC machine, it is claimed. An innovative feature of the NTJ-100 is the ability to mount up to six turning tools on the face of the upper turret, which can be tilted to machine workpiece using the B-axis. With 12 milling tool stations on each turret, or 24 turning tool stations, maximum capacity of 54 tools. Also innovative is that one of these tool stations can be used for a part unloader gripper. Using a servo to clamp the part, this gives an unloading time of around 2.6 seconds and is said to be a more cost-effective option than a standard gripper-type part catcher. Although designed for high productivity on smaller complex components, with faster, smaller turrets, the NTJ-100 gives the flexibility to go up to 65 mm bar, if required. The machine has a flat-bed design, so swarf drops away from the machining area, and two powerful milling tool motors. As with all Nakamura Tome's multi-turret machines, the NTJ-100 is equipped with the company's Intelligent Programming System (NT-IPS). This is said to makes the machine even more productive, due to the innovative control and programming approach. The NT-IPS is hosted on a high specification PC built into the machine. It works in conjunction with the latest Fanuc 31i-B CNC to give a high degree of functionality coupled with fast processing speeds. The NT-IPS interface features a 19" touch-screen LCD display, QWERTY keyboard and touch-pad alongside the standard MDI keys. It is designed to be user-friendly, easy to navigate and easy to understand. It speeds up programming and makes it easy for companies with no previous experience of twin-spindle, twin-turret mill-turning to take full advantage of these productive machines.