Heidenhain launches its first mill-turn CNC

Designed for users who wish to perform turning operations on milling machines, the new system utilises the same plain language programming as Heidenhain milling CNCs, but the company says that the TNC 640's optimised user interface also gives users an unrivalled insight into system operation – presenting functions and displaying status information more clearly than before. The TNC 640 features the HSCI (Heidenhain Serial Controller Interface), a brushed stainless steel fascia and a, flush 19 inch screen accompanied by modern, easy-to-use and clean keyboard. The TNC 640 functionality for milling/turning includes simple program-controlled switchover between milling and turning, comprehensive turning cycles, constant surface speed and tool-tip radius compensation – as well as software for use in universal and high speed milling cycles, such as fast block processing, short control loop cycle times and fast data transfer. Included in the comprehensive fixed cycle library are multi-operation machining of straight and circular slots, and of rectangular and circular pockets, as well as linear and circular point patterns, and contour/parallel machining routines. The system's selectable split screen mode shows part-program blocks in one half and graphics or status display in the other, and a smartSelect function presents users with dialogue guidance for selecting functions – for example, define fixed cycles and touch probe cycles – quickly and easily, rather than using soft key format. Functionality that allows program creation with graphical support while another program is running, and pallet/tool management are also available.