Product category:
Machinery and Production Equipment
News Release from: TS Harrison and Sons | Subject: Alpha 330T
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 18 March 2002
Entry-level model joins lathe range
Harrison has extended its Alpha T (touchscreen) range of easy-to-use electronic lathes with the introduction of the 330T (330mm swing x 1m bed) entry model.
Harrison has extended its Alpha T (touchscreen) range of easy-to-use electronic lathes with the introduction of the 330T (330mm swing x 1m bed) entry model to complement the existing 400T (400mm swing over 1.25m bed), 460T (460mm swing over 1.5m) and 550T (550mm swing over 2m) The Alpha T will appeal to subcontractors, toolrooms, mould and die, R and D and educational training establishments, particularly those wishing to replace traditional centre lathe machinery
A highly affordable and extremely easy-to-use lathe, the Alpha T offers the user the benefits of both fully automated cycles and manual operation.
In fact no other lathe has fewer keys or is as quick and easy to learn.
Through advanced Fanuc touchscreen technology and industry-proven AlphaLink software, the Alpha T slashes the time from drawing to finished component without the costs or complications of a full CNC system.
The Alpha's simple-to-use menu-driven touchscreen can access full manual operation or initiate automatic cycles for stops, tapers, threads, chamfers, radii, rough and finish, box cycles, and CAM.
To aid machining, information about positioning, speeds and feed rates is displayed in easy-to-understand pictorial representations, internationally recognised symbols and icons.
The operator receives simple step-by-step guidance as questions are displayed on the touchscreen and responses are keyed-in by touching an appropriate symbol.
If the operator makes an error or omission, he or she is prompted to take the correct action.
Box cycle programming enables automatic multi-pass roughing and finishing of specified rectilinear and taper stock removal cycles.
As well as being easy-to-use, the Alpha T has another significant advantage in that all machine controls are conveniently mounted on a single console located in front of the headstock, so that operators can see controls, tools, workpiece and cutting area all in a single line-of-sight.
In the educational environment, the 330T is ideal as a trainee can first be taught turning in full manual mode, then get used to semi-manual machining with electronic stops, taper turning and threading.
The next stage, using the AlphaLink system for CAM autocycles, uses programs generated from computer but in a simple-to-understand format.
In the production environment, cycle times can be significantly reduced, especially on more complicated components, using the Alphalink CAD/CAM facility.
Full graphics of the toolpath either in single block or in full finish pass, can be viewed on the touchscreen before downloading for machining operations.
Any errors in the program can therefore be identified before any metal is cut.
Infinitely variable spindle speeds, to 3500rev/min from the 7.5kW main motor, are selected on the touchscreen and there is the facility to set constant surface speeds (CSS) for individual tools.
A spindle load meter, which indicates percentage load by means of a simple colour code barchart, is an integral part of the console.
In the unlikely event of a fault, trouble-shooting is rapid using the machine's intelligent help diagnostics system (IHDS).
IHDS was developed by Harrison to provide on-screen diagnostic messages in plain language that give the operator instant information upon which he can act quickly.
A separate diagnostic LED array is also incorporated at the rear of the machine.
The Alpha T is available now from Harrison distributors within the UK and Worldwide.
The complete Alpha T range will be on show at MACH 2002.
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