Vertical Turn/Mill Centres for cylindrical parts

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team May 30, 2001

Pennine Machine Tools is launching a range of new Vertical Turn/Mill Centres designed for the cylindrical component machine market, aerospace and general.

Pennine Machine Tools is launching a range of new Vertical Turn/Mill Centres designed for the cylindrical component machine market, aerospace and general.

The first machine in the range has a Table capacity of 1500 mm with a maximum swing of 1800mm: The machine gives high accuracy with the possibility of one-hit machining (single set-up) through 'C' Axis and Live Spindle.

Having an increased accuracy and high Table resolution through ring measurement on the innovatory drive/bearing arrangement.

The combined machine has a substantial conventional structure married to the latest technology quality European system proven components.

Modularity also allows large capacity conventional vertical machining systems to be supplied.

The machine gives an affordable machining facility at a price close to conventional CNC Vertical Borers whilst allowing customers to produce parts at high speed with increased accuracy in one machining process.

* Combined Drive/Bearing, Zero Backlash system gives a common turning and 'C' Axis Drive, of simple design and low maintenance.

Conventional machines have independent turning and 'C' Axis drive, gearboxes and transmissions.

* The system gives an extremely efficient and quiet drive as forces are symmetrical (patent pending).

* Rotary Axis measurement incorporates a linear tape system into the table bearing rotating member.

This is the optimum place for stability with measurement resolution of 0.5 microns at this diameter; less than 1 micron at the circumference of the 1500 mm diameter Table.

Compared with a conventional centre mounted Table Encoder having a resolution of 0.001 degree at the Table centre, which is equivalent to 12 micron at the Table edge.

Hence the tape system gives Pennine a 12:1 resolution improvement allowing more precise ring part manufacture.

It also leaves the Table centre free for services (e.g auto-fixturing and pallet loaders).

* Tooling system; the ram has a common twin tooling system both CAPTO 'C6' one for fixed tools (turn and boring) the other for Live Spindle (drill, mill) allows handling by the same common toolchanger giving reduced tool weight and improved accuracy.

* The Ram and Cross Axes employ direct driven ballscrews with cross precision roller linear rails systems designed for heavy duty cutting loads.

The rail bearing blocks are fitted with integral 'sealed for life' lubricators and advanced sealing systems.

Also the rails can be supplied with integral linear measurements if required.

* The Machine structure comprises a table base which interfaces to a stiff Bridge assembly giving overall aesthetic and compact rigid design.

* Integral electrics and control housed on the machine Bridge provide quick re-commissioning on site and minimises floor space.

* Novel guarding arrangement: Conventionally Vertical Borers have guarding systems added to the machine structure resulting in rectangular systems having limited access.

The PV15/18 machine has a guard system which runs around the machine base the inside of which is fitted a conveyor system rotating around the table.

Access chutes guide swarf/ coolant into a lower swarf elevator from the circular swarf system.

* The machine's modular structure allows the upper bridge/ram assembly to be used as a conventional vertical machining centre with a moving table sited below the spindle, instead of the rotary table system.

Also the modular design allows economical large rotary machines to be supplied up to 5000mm as illustrated in diagram attached.

* The Spindle assembly is a Cytec unit incorporating the CAPTO system and Cytec rotary coolant and hydraulic connector unions, allowing neat solutions for clamping and thro' spindle coolant.