Universal productivity rewards on offer with a user-friendly CNC lathe include the use in manual mode and then switching to CNC for production.

As well as revealing a number of spindle speed, main motor and between-centres capacity improvements across the complete range of Hankook Protec two-axis horizontal CNC lathes, at MACH 2002 Ward CNC will also be demonstrating the universal productivity rewards on offer with the Protec 7N semi-CNC model. With Fanuc 21iT CNC and dual electronic handwheel control, the Protec 7N combines the accuracy and productivity of user-friendly CNC turning with the simplicity and versatility of a manual machine via dual electronic handwheels - thus enabling users to quickly move into productive mode since minimal CNC training is necessary. Indeed, it was the combination of a large swing over the bed capacity and the easy programming on a Protec semi-CNC two-axis lathe proved the ideal solution for variable small batch steam turbine valve manufacture at Greville Hard Facing and Engineering Company.

According to Calvin Springer, managing director of the Redditch-based valve specialist, the Protec was installed as a cost-effective answer to customers' continuous demands for valves of different variations and in batches of usually one- to four-off.

'Its easy-to-use semi-CNC operation makes the machine a very versatile and useful asset to our company,' he says.

Other machines were considered for the application, continues Calvin Springer, but the Protec was chosen over its competitors because it also offered the necessary robustness to cope with the heavyweight components of predominantly high chrome alloy.

Although Greville Hard Facing and Engineering Company is using the larger capacity Protec 9N, the model 7N on show at the NEC features similar double-walled and ribbed one-piece meehanite cast iron bed, and induction hardened and ground precision slideways for maximum stability and accuracy.

It has a swing over the bed of 750mm, a swing over the carriage of 480mm and a maximum turning diameter of 750mm.

Distance between centres is 3000mm and maximum turning length is 2900mm.

Spindle speeds of 3 to 1,000 revs/min are attainable and maximum traverse rates are 3m/min and 6m/min in X and Z axes, respectively.

Standard features include servo motors on both axes, four-jaw independent chuck, square tool post with curvic coupling, cooling equipment, machine lighting, two-speed tailstock quill adjustment and infinitely variable feed rates.

Options include various chucks (hydraulic and three-jaw scroll-type), automatic tool post and live centre.