Modular Tornado targets high performance turning and Y-axis milling

With eight axes, twin 12 station turrets, two identical 15 kW integrated spindle units and a totally redesigned 3 tonne heavy duty bed casting, the new generation, 100 per cent British designed and manufactured Colchester-Harrison Tornado TT6 turn-mill centre, is aimed at high performance turning and Y-axis milling operations. The TT6 is the first of a new generation of Tornado twin-turret lathes that has been developed from the ground up over six months. The TT6 is the highest specification in this range of turn-mill centres from which other variants will be progressively introduced over this next 18 months. A key element is ‘future proofing’ total modularity. This not only makes expansion of the range cost-effective and simpler, it will also enable future upgrading by end users, such as the addition of automation as needs change. A true, twin upper and lower driven tool turret machine, it has the added flexibility of two totally independent but simultaneous toolpaths with the higher productivity capability of providing overlapped or twin turning tool sequences. Indeed, the 3-axis upper turret and 2-axis lower turret can service either 15 kW, 6,000 rpm full C-axis ‘kissing spindles’ with balanced cutting sequences or dedicated machining cycles. Available with 175 mm chuck or 52 mm bar capacity, spindle bore is 65 mm and the 30 VDI tool turrets have a maximum driven tool speed of 5,000 rpm from 3.7 kW high torque motors. The Y-axis stroke is ±40 mm and the right hand spindle can be used as a tailstock for long shaft work. Rapid traverse rates are 30 m/min in each axis.