Innovative rotary transfer machine gets more tools

By developing a machining spindle unit with the flexibility to change up to four tools automatically within a production cycle, Mikron Machining Technology of Agno, Switzerland, has expanded the number of tools carried on its latest 12 station Mikron NRG-50, claimed to be one of the most advanced rotary transfer machines in the world. As a result the capability of the machine, which can perform both high volume and medium batch production involving up to 5-axis simultaneous machining, deep hole drilling, milling, turning and even assembly cycles, is expanded. It has up to 30 tools available as standard that can be applied to produce features on all six faces of a component in a single cycle. With the ability to toolchange, the new unit head can now carry sister tooling to extend uninterrupted production, additional tools to produce complex features of a component or provide a quick-changeover solution, for instance to support family of parts production. The innovative development by Mikron Machining Technology’s engineers enables up to four tools to be carried around the spindle of the unit head.