A Radical New Turning Concept From Tornos at MACH 2012

18 January 2012

On Stand 5659 at MACH 2012 Tornos UK will give its new MultiSwiss 6x14 turning centre its UK exhibition debut. Globally launched at EMO 2011, Tornos now presents its first numerical sliding headstock multi-spindle machine. Based on a ‘fully integrated’ concept, this new machine is aimed at users of multi-spindle turning machines, cam-operated machines and users of single-spindle turning machines.

The exciting new MultiSwiss will appear alongside single spindle innovations that will include the Gamma 20/6b that is a cost effective solution developed for machining relatively complex components and the Sigma 32, the only Swiss type sliding headstock machine capable of producing parts using the machining parameters of a fixed headstock machine.

At the beginning of 2008, the multi-spindle product department at Tornos put in place an ambitious project with clear objectives: To create a multi-spindle turning machine with 14mm capacity at an attractive price offering unrivalled efficiency and a rapid return on investment. The machine also had to be flexible, accurate and easy to use.

The new MultiSwiss now takes Multi-spindle machines to a new plateau. The MultiSwiss is a revolutionary product that bridges the gap between single-spindle and multi-spindle lathes. It is equipped with 6 sliding headstock spindles that use torque motor technology for barrel indexing. Its ultra-high speed makes it possible to achieve near cam driven multi-spindle cycle times. The main benefits are its ergonomic design that provides excellent access and easy control and phenomenal flexibility that enables rapid set-up and changeovers. Additional benefits include its productivity that provides competitive price per part. The MultiSwiss offers quality that provides homogeneity of production compared with the production of the same part on several machines.

With completely open access at the front, Tornos had clearly pushed accessibility further than any other solution on the market by offering a design that enables the operator to 'get right inside the machine'. The tool holders with integrated cutting oil spray via the slides and the option to change the headstock collets from the front of the machine permit users to change the set-up almost as quickly as on a single-spindle machine, which opens up new possibilities. As all the slides are 'vertical', the swarf naturally falls directly onto the conveyor, which increases the efficiency of the machine and reduces swarf removal operations for the operator.

Another strength of the machine is the seamless integration of all the necessary peripherals. As standard, the MultiSwiss includes the feeder, the management system for swarf and oil with dual filtration incorporating a paper filter system (filtration to 50µ) in addition to an ultra fine filter (5µ). The list of options has been reduced as the oil mist extractor, chip conveyor, fire prevention system and high pressure pump have been designed to integrate seamlessly into the machine. The fact that this integration has been incorporated into the machine from its very design means that its footprint is reduced taking up little more space than a single-spindle machine of equivalent capacity.

The machine's temperature is fully controlled via the cutting oil which is monitored by a plate heat exchanger. The machine core is kept at a constant temperature, even when stopped. This ensures normal operation during production. To improve efficiency, the regulation system can be pre-programmed in order to reduce the machine's standard heating times.

As with other Tornos numerical multi-spindle turning machines, the MultiSwiss includes an integrated PC. This system offers a very user-friendly interface with a large colour touch screen. Programming is carried out on TB-Deco. The integrated PC offers a great deal of flexibility. If some small program changes are required, these can be made directly on the machine. The servicing instructions, user and maintenance manuals are also loaded onto the PC. In the event of an alarm, the user can immediately display the file on-screen and read all the comments relating to this problem. Everything is at your fingertips and it is easy to navigate.

With a 14mm capacity, the machine can hold up to 15 tools in main operations and 3 in counter operation. Each slide and each spindle can be independently programmed, which enables standard tools to be used at the ideal cutting speed for each. The controlled position of each spindle enables drilling and milling operations with precise angular location even between stations. The bar feed is performed via Z-axes integrated on each powered spindle (sliding headstock).

With the MultiSwiss, Tornos has developed a new approach to working on multi-spindle turning machines and the first customers to use this new machine have been very positive.