Mori Seiki lathe builds on customer feedback

The NZL2500 4-axis lathe includes a 10-inch chuck and its capabilities reflect the feedback received from 1,000 Mori Seiki users, tailoring it to the needs of manufacturers today. The new NZL2500 offers improved machining capabilities, accuracy and quality, compared to its predecessor, the ZL Series, of which around 2,500 units were sold worldwide. On the new machine, higher rigidity is achieved by using three independent guideways, so that turret 1, turret 2 and the tailstock can all move independently of one another. Allowing turret 2 to move in the Z-axis without being restricted by the tailstock makes the latter very rigid, while the slideways used on all the axes give the NZL2500 50% more stiffness than a conventional machine. Mori Seiki's BMT (Built-in Motor Turret) technology is used for turret 1 in the MC and Y type versions of the NZL2500, offering high capacity milling that has been well proven on its NL Series machines To achieve high accuracy and avoid the problems associated with thermal displacement, the spindle, which is a major heat source, has been designed as a heat-symmetrical structure. This reduces the thermal displacement by 50 %, compared with conventional machines. Additionally, the upper and lower X axes are equipped with core cooling as standard, with this ensuring high accuracy for long periods of continuous machining. The NZL2500 offers turning for workpieces which require 10 or 12 inch chuck sizes, and is available with 600 mm or 1,000 mm between centres. It also has options for milling (MC type) and Y-axis machining (Y type), capabilities, which were not available on the ZL Series, enabling the completion of far more complex machining tasks. Shower coolant comes as standard, while an optional wide rear-discharge chip conveyor makes it possible to run the machine automatically for extended periods. For extra flexibility when machining shafts, a range of optional steady rests are available. Turret 1 on the NZL2500 has capacity for 12 tools, and the Built-in Motor Turret on the MC and Y versions of the machine can be fitted with rotary tools at each station. Turret 2 has capacity for eight turning tools. Cutting simultaneously with turret 1 and turret 2 can shorten machining times significantly, achieving higher productivity. Furthermore, to help save energy and reduce the environmental burden of the machine, oil supply is suspended when the machine is on standby. This results in around a 33% saving in lubricating oil consumption. The NZL2500 uses the latest MAPPS IV high-performance operating system in its control. The combination of automatic programming software (standard) and ESPRIT CAM software (standard) allows the machine to handle complex machining programming and to flexibly meet customer needs.