Sliding-headstock mill/turn autoamtic lathe is so fast, it can OD-turn, drill the front end, part off and drill the back end of a component in 5s, a job that took 10s a few years ago.

For mill-turning components up to 10mm diameter, Star has introduced a new, sliding-headstock lathe that is so fast, it can OD-turn, drill the front end, part off and drill the back end of a component in five seconds. Even a few years ago, it would have been almost impossible to achieve such a process in less than 10s. Designated SR-10J, the competitively priced, compact bar auto will make its UK debut at MACH 2006.

It is a highly productive mill-turning centre that rivals the output of a cam auto, but with the added flexibility of CNC to allow rapid changeover to produce a different component.

Said Star Micronics GB's engineering manager, Stephen Totty, 'If you are making sub 10 mm parts, it is preferable to use a small capacity machine, because the moving elements are smaller and faster than on a 16mm capacity lathe or larger'.

'Our new machine is ideal for smaller work, as it has 35m/min rapids with extremely fast acceleration, and front-working tools positioned very close to the bar on three sides in a yoke formation.' The 2-axis sub spindle is capable of working in conjunction with a four-station endworking unit, independently of, and simultaneously with, main spindle operations.

There is a total of 21 tool positions in the working area including three live cross-working tools, four tools for front endworking and a further four for rear endworking.

Commented managing director, Bob Hunt, 'One of our customers observed recently that we are living in a world where things are getting smaller - he was referring in particular to electronic goods such as mobile telephones, but there are other good examples in the medical and automotive sectors.' He said: 'We therefore believe the new SR-10J will be particularly popular and look forward to demonstrating its capabilities at MACH this year.

The machine will be fitted with a new bar magazine from FMB, called MicroMag.' Established sliding-headstock model, Star SR-20RII, will be comprehensively equipped as a cell with FMB Turbo 3-26 bar magazine, 2,000 lb/in2 high-pressure coolant supply, mist extraction and a full suite of swarf extraction equipment.

Demonstrations will include gun drilling, roller burnishing and polar programming for fast, accurate milling.

The ECAS-32T twin-turret, 11-axis, sliding-head auto will also have high-pressure coolant and, as part of the demonstration cycle, will show angle drilling and accurate thread rolling.

The latter is assisted in particular by the machine's rigid build and six tonnes installed weight - nearly twice that of its main rival.

The heavier construction of Star mill-turning centres compared with competitors' lathes will be a major theme throughout the exhibition.

The fourth Star sliding-head lathe on the company's stand will be an SV-32 featuring gear hobbing and extensive driven tool capabilities.

It will be fitted with a JBS guide bush that is able to compensate continuously for variations in the diameter of each bar as it is fed through the guide bush, leading to higher accuracy machining.

This contrasts with other systems on the market which, although adjustable, cannot self-compensate to suit the varying bar diameter, as the bush is fixed once it has been set.

To be exhibited on the Floyd Automatic Tooling stand - 5251 - will be entry-level model, Star SB-16C, fitted with a new, eight-station platen capable of accepting Applitec tool holders and high pressure coolant.

The sixth Star sliding-head machine at the show will be found on stand 5290 - that of WNT UK - which will demonstrate its tooling products performing polar milling, face drilling and tapping on an SR-32J.