When the 4-axis CNC chuck lathe is properly applied, it can provide the zero delay function required for part loading. This is because when the two spindles are in the machining state, the other two spindles can be mounted with the parts to be machined.

Let's imagine the processing of a HMC (Horizontal Machining Center) machine with a pallet change function. When the machine is machining a workpiece on one pallet, the other pallet outside the HMC is in the preparation for the next workpiece. Therefore, delays can occur only when the two trays are swapping their positions.

Figure 4 axis chuck lathe can minimize the loading delay of parts, the spindle can be installed horizontally or vertically

Now, let's imagine the processing of a 4-axis lathe on the drum of the quadrilateral indexing bracket. The function of this tray drum is roughly the same as that of the pallet changer on the HMC machine. It enables two of the four spindles to be placed in a closed machining environment and simultaneously machine two workpieces. At this time, the two spindles outside the processing area can be mounted by hand, robot or gantry loader. After the workpiece is turned on a pair of spindles, the carriage drum starts the indexing operation, and the remaining two spindles with the new workpiece are fed into the processing area. As long as the cycle of the turning operation exceeds the installation time of the new workpiece, a delay of a few seconds will only occur during the indexing of the spindle bracket drum.

Bill Camloh, Jr. of Camloh Machinery Solutions listed three advantages of this turning platform: first, this type of machine can save a lot of parts loading time; second, when a workpiece A side and B side When the machining cycle is in an unbalanced state, it is very effective to use such a machine tool. Third, whether the workpiece is manually installed or automatically loaded, as long as the turning cycle exceeds the installation time of the workpiece, the machine tool is produced. The efficiency is exactly the same.

Mr. Camloh's machine tool sales company in LaFayette, New York, which supplies a 4-axis CNC chuck lathe made by Japan's Kitako (Kitako's parent company is Kitagawa). This type of machine is imported from SB Machine Tools in the United States. In this article, Mr. Camloh detailed the design of this 4-axis chuck lathe, and cites an example of how to use this type of machine to improve the production efficiency of completely different workpieces in the machining cycle.

4-axis chuck lathe design

Kitako's 4-axis chuck lathes are designed and manufactured on the basis of the company's original 3-axis machine tools. These 3-axis lathes are often used for both roughing, finishing and workpiece loading. The bracket drum has enough space to install the fourth spindle, so the company added a spindle to the lathe to accommodate a wider range of compound turning operations.

Kitako offers a wide range of lathes with spindles for both horizontal and vertical arrangements. The chuck diameter of the horizontal lathe ranges from 100 to 200 mm (4 to 8 in). If from the operator's point of view, the arrangement of the spindle is just facing the operator's position. Vertical lathes are commonly used for turning large and medium-sized workpieces and offer chuck diameters ranging from 200 to 380 mm (8 to 15 in).

The machine design can be adapted to the requirements of automated operation, or it can be used as a key processing device or modified to the production site. According to Mr. Camloh's estimates, about 90% of the more than 500 machines exported to the United States are equipped with automation systems. A gantry type feeder (single arm, double arm or three arm type) is usually installed in the form of a project package. It is also possible to provide double independent gantry booms, just like the robots mounted on the machine and on the floor. A barometer or probe can also be installed on these part mounting systems to measure parts as they are removed. For example, this information can be delivered to the control system to automatically compensate for worn tools.

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