Mori Seiki launches new X series of machine tools

The NLX2500 Series CNC lathe was the first machine to be launched in the X-class, and evolved as a completely new model from its highly successful NL Series of lathes, which sold more than 10,000 units. The NLX2500 Series has been designed with the demanding requirements of manufacturers in mind, and incorporates the feedback from over 5,000 Mori Seiki customers. The NLX2500/700 (turning specifications), NLX2500MC/700 (milling specifications) and NLX2500Y/700(Y-axis specifications) are all optimised to ensure high rigidity, longer tool life, and the capability to perform heavy duty cutting operations. To achieve active control over thermal displacement, all NLX Series machines have coolant circulating inside the bed. To improve energy efficiency and reduce running costs, NLX Series machines use a compact CNC that consumes less power, an inverter–type hydraulic unit, and LED lighting. This reduces total power consumption by approximately 13% for the NLX2500/700, 10% for the NLX2500MC/700, and 14% for the NLX2500Y/700. Additionally, the lubricating oil consumption has been reduced by approximately 15%. This has been achieved by stopping the oil supply when the machine is on standby. The machines also take less floor space - the NLX2500/700 for example, achieves around a 22% reduction in the installation area compared to the previous NL Series, for example The NVX5000 Series is a completely new model, developed from the highly successful NV5000 Series, and is the second in the range of machines to join the X-class. The NVX5000 Series has the same options and applications as the NV5000 Series, which sold more than 8,000 units. It has been designed to reflect current market requirements and incorporates feedback from 1,000 Mori Seiki customers. Slideways are used on all the axes, resulting in both improved vibration damping performance and dynamic rigidity. This exceptional rigidity gives longer tool life and capabilities for heavy-duty cutting, as well as a rapid traverse rate of 30 m/min in all axes. To combat the effects of heat generated during cutting, and changes in the ambient temperature, the NVX Series uses a spindle in which air and cooling oil pipes are arranged symmetrically, relative to the centre of the spindle. This heat-symmetrical structure minimizes thermal displacement in the spindle by dispersing it evenly. In addition, optional coolant circulation inside castings (bed and column), allows the machine to achieve active control over thermal displacement. The NVX5000 is available in three variations to suit different sized jobs: NVX5060 (X-axis stroke: 600 mm), NVX5080 (800 mm) and NVX5100 (1,050 mm), with 4- or 50 taper spindle options. Power consumption on the NVX Series is 35% less than the previous NV5000 Series. The NTX1000 integrated mill turn centre is an ideal choice for machining small precision parts for medical equipment and measuring instruments. It will be particularly valuable for components which have a complex shape and which need high-precision and high-efficiency machining. The footprint of the new NTX1000 is 40% less than the company's conventional models, offering dramatically improved productivity per unit area. There are eight NTX models available to meet different machining needs. The machines are general purpose, but each of them has the flexibility to handle metal cutting usually performed on special machinery. This greatly increases the range of applications that will benefit from their introduction. To combat the effects of thermal displacement, the NTX1000's Spindle 1 is designed to always maintain its centre in the same position, with a headstock structure symmetrical in the X and Y-axis directions. Slideways for the ORC are located diagonally opposite each other, ensuring heat related distortion is symmetrical and cancelled out. These measures ensure that the machine can maintain the centre of the moving parts in exactly the same location, achieving high-precision machining. The NTX1000 uses the latest MAPPS IV high-performance operating system. The combination of automatic programming software and ESPRIT CAM software, which both come as standard, allows the machine to handle complex programming requirements and to flexibly meet customer's needs. The 3D interference checking function, included on all machines, checks for collisions between spindles, workpieces, soft jaws, tools, holders, and turrets in 3D, stopping the machine in both automatic and manual modes if an interference is detected. This offers customers the world's best protection against collisions. The NHX Series, incorporating the NHX4000 and NHX5000/40, offers improved cost performance by drastically reducing the number of parts used in its construction, as well as incorporating feedback from 3,000 of Mori Seiki's customers. Both the NHX4000 and NHX5000 have a rapid traverse rate of 60 m/min. The NHX4000's pallet indexing time is 1.0 second (1° indexing specifications), and the NHX5000's is 1.49 seconds (90° indexing specifications). These advances enable the NHX Series to offer customers dramatically increased productivity through reduced non-cutting time. The wide choice of models available in the NHX Series makes it particularly suitable for the automotive industry. Options include ATC without arms, and configurations without an APC. High rigidity and stable machining on the NHX Series is achieved by using a massive bed casting with the X and Z linear guides located high up. Additionally, the spindle is fitted with a large diameter bearing and both the table and pallets utilise powerful clamping forces, adding to the precision of the machine. The weight of the moving parts, including the column, of the NHX Series has been reduced, increasing the positioning accuracy possible with the machine. Furthermore, it uses direct scale feedback as standard to ensure high accuracy. The NHX Series uses around 40% less power when compared to the conventional model, lowering environmental impact and running costs. It achieves this by reducing the number of motors on the machine and stopping the hydraulic pump when the machine is on standby. The conventional model required the pump to run continuously to maintain pressure. The NHX Series uses an accumulator to make this unnecessary. The MAPPS IV high-performance operating system is used on all the NHX Series. Automatic programming software comes as standard and the ESPRIT CAM software is available as an option. 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