Product category:
Electrical and Electronic Subassemblies
News Release from: Newall Electronics | Subject: C80 CSS digital readouts
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 20 December 2004
DROs prove popular with manual centre
lathes
The combination of 600 Group manual centre lathes and C80 CSS digital readouts from Newall Measurement Systems is helping to meet high levels of demand for this technology across the globe.
The combination of 600 Group manual centre lathes and C80 CSS digital readouts from Newall Measurement Systems is helping to meet high levels of demand for this technology across the globe Newall C80 CSS (constant surface speed) DROs are now fitted to all models of Colchester Lathe Company and TS Harrison (both 600 Group companies) manual centre lathes
The requirement on the variable speed centre lathes was for a DRO system that would be tough and reliable, provide CSS functionality, fully meet European safety regulations and could be offered with two axis capability, while being field upgradable to a three axes.
Peter Cook Director of Engineering at 600 Group says: "The CSS features provide a cutting performance similar to a CNC machine on a budget priced centre lathe".
"It enables better surface finishes to be achieved, extended tool life since they are always working at the correct surface speed, and improvements in productivity by as much as 30%".
The DRO solution from Newall was fully integrated into the electronic hardware of the 600 Group machines and developed specifically to meet the stringent European directives governing the use of constant surface speeds.
According to Dr Mark Hudman, Newall's Technical Director, there are not many DROs on the market that are compliant with these health and safety regulations.
"The C80 CSS is one of the few to conform", he says.
"600 Group insisted that all safety requirements were met and so we set about developing a solution".
Most new centre lathes sold are fitted with a DRO, where it is standard for the distributor to fit the component.
However, because of 600 Group's high volume throughput, the DRO can be offered up-front at approximately half the normal cost.
The C80 CSS has become the preferred offering for 600 Group on manual centre lathes, with the machines now featuring pre-drilled Newall DRO mounting positions.
Cook comments on the uptake by 600 Group's customers: "To date, there are already several hundred Colchester and Harrison systems configured with C80 CSS, and reports from our users indicate that the DRO's memory facility is proving popular".
"The ability to remember speed and tool offsets has been a major plus point for customers, on top of this, they have found that the functionality which allows them use to set parameters such as subdatums saves an extensive amount of time".
Although the market for manual centre lathes may be relatively mature, Dr Hudman explains that there is still a good market for this level of technology, particularly when fitted on a high quality machine and sold at an attractive price.
"One market that is strong worldwide is the education sector".
"Schools, colleges, universities and training establishments all teach students on manual machines to provide a fundamental introduction to machining".
"In fact, eight Colchester VS machines fitted with Newall C80 CSS DRO were used in the recent Skills Olympics held in the USA".
"Contestants used the machines to battle it out in the turning skills test".
However, supplying to the education market also requires robust equipment that can withstand the rigours of use by people who are still learning and are not as fully proficient as industrial users.
The rugged nature of the Newall equipment, along with Newall's lifetime guarantee on its scales and ability to meet both the European and 600 lathes stringent safety standards went a long way to influence 600 Group's decision.
600 Group's drive to provide a more competitive product was a significant factor when deciding to opt for Newall DROs as standard.
"This product development forms part of a worldwide sales initiative, where we have raised the specifications at the same time as making the prices more competitive", said Cook.
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