According to Index Corp., the TNL18 can be changed over in minutes to produce precision parts with or without a guide bush for long or short parts, from bar up to 20 mm diameter. Up to three tools can be on the part at once, it said.
INDEX Corp. will introduce the new TRAUB TNL18 sliding headstock automatic lathe later this year, along with its variant, the TNL18P production machine. The two models are targeted at precision machining of surface-critical parts, such as medical components.The introduction will take place at IMTS 2010, September 13-18, in Chicago.
Index details that the TNL18 can be changed over in minutes to produce precision parts with or without a guide bush for long or short parts from bar up to 20 mm diameter. Up to three tools can be on the part at once, it said.
Using dual- and multi-holders, the machine’s tool capacity can be increased to as many as 54 tool places, extending productive times. The high-precision, fast turret indexing enables a very fast chip-to-chip time of 0.3 sec. Both variants use the new TRAUB compact shaft system, according to Index, which is an improved system for high-precision mounting of tool holders in the turret.
“With the sliding headstock automatic lathe TNL18 and its variant, the TNL18P production machine, TRAUB is expanding its broad portfolio to include two powerful and versatile machines,” an Index Corp. spokesman reports. “The P variant caters especially to customers looking for the optimum in price and technology without giving up the familiar comprehensive machining options for maximum productivity. The enhanced TNL18 variant is equipped with a few more features than the P variant.”
Changeover speed and flexibility
The lathe can be changed over quickly for use with and without a guide bush, for long or short parts. The long Z-travel distance of the headstock ensures proper positioning of the main spindle, for turning with or without a guide bush. In the standard design, the powerful main spindle is equipped with a C-axis and provided with either a direct drive with high dynamic response or a belt drive (TNL18P) and high torque in order to achieve large cutting volumes.
Simultaneous machining with multiple tools ensures high productivity levels by both machines; up to three tools may be used simultaneously on two spindles. The TNL18P production machine differs from the TNL18 variant in that the Y-axis motion of the upper turret is mapped by interpolation of the X/C/H axes, permitting contour milling, and reliable off-center, axially parallel drilling.
