In direct response for turning small-diameter components to the highest levels of accuracy and finish quality, a lathe builder has developed a 5000 rev/min version of its manual/CNC lathes.

In direct response to customers requiring the capability to turn small-diameter components to the highest levels of accuracy and finish quality, British lathe specialist Harrison has introduced a high speed version of its Alpha 1330U manual/CNC machine with a maximum operating speed of 5,000 rev/min. The new high-speed Alpha 1330U-HS provides a 40% increase in spindle speed over the established Alpha 1330U. Demand for the new lathe - which incorporates a revised bearing configuration of five high-precision, angular contact bearings providing low noise levels and optimum surface finishes at high rotational speeds - is growing steadily across European markets following its announcement by Harrison at the MACH 2004 machine tool exhibition held at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, earlier this year.

The new 5,000 rev/min spindle assembly incorporates five ABEC 7 Precision angular contact bearings which are arranged with three at the front and two at the rear of the 54mm bore spindle.

These bearings enhance the machine's smooth running and low heat generation, which in turn contribute significantly to low-tolerance rotational accuracy.

The bearings are pre-greased for life for continuous operation and the 'pre-load' is set by the bearing manufacturer to simplify maintenance procedures.

The A2-5 spindle nose is designed to accommodate specialised high-speed workholding equipment, specified at the time of order.

Optional workholding equipment includes: specialised manual high speed three-jaw chuck; Pratt Burnerd power operated three-jaw chuck and power operated collet chucking for either Crawfords Multibore or 5C collet systems.

In other technical respects, the new version of the 1330U, with 360mm swing over bed (206mm swing over cross-slide) and 7.5kW motor, incorporates the same advanced features as Harrison's flagship U1000 lathe series, launched last year.

Its composite base assembly provides optimum stability and rigidity, while the operator-friendly 30 degree box-section slant-bed design makes for easier loading of the workpiece, better access for tool-setting, increased visibility and greatly reduced swarf clearing compared with a traditional flat-bed format.

Like other Harrison U1000 series lathes, it also benefits from Harrison's world-famous Alpha 1000 control system, which offers the widest choice of turning options ever offered on a manual/CNC lathe.

Effectively, all U1000 lathes can be operated from the colour touchscreen control console in four separate selectable modes: manual handwheels with digital positional display; sequential (Alpha) semi-automatic; manual guide (Teach); and ISO (CNC) to produce simple and complex components in one-off and small-medium batch sizes.

The mode of operation can be selected to match the complexity of the workpiece, operator skill level and batch size.

This selection offers the ultimate versatility and flexibility to the customer.

Harrison is confident that the new Alpha 1330U-HS with 5,000 rev/min represents an important new asset in its product line-up, which will attract significant sales from both existing and new customer sectors.

In Finland, for example, one of the first 5,000 rev/min machines was supplied by Harrison's distributor, Cron Tek Oy, to a company specialising in surgical equipment, while its Swiss distributor, Josef Binkert AG, is supplying to manufacturers of electrodes and other high-precision parts.

David Smith, Harrison's Sales Director, said: 'This new 5,000 rev/min lathe represents an important step forward both for ourselves and for many Harrison customers around the world.

It underlines Harrison's commitment to meeting its customers' exact requirements and expectations in the ever-changing marketplace for turning equipment.

It also demonstrates the in-built flexibility and technical excellence of our products to match our customers' needs.

'For new and existing customers requiring an advanced manual/CNC machine which produces the highest quality results on small-diameter items where accuracy, low tolerances and high precision are crucial factors, this machine represents an exciting opportunity to boost their businesses and achieve the excellent turning standards associated with Harrison's world-famous lathes.'