Six-spindle CNC mill-turning centre offers faster and significantly extended, simultaneous back-working compared with other multi-spindle auto's on the market.

A new, six-spindle mill-turning centre from Index, designated MS18C, will be launched in the UK by sole agent, Geo Kingsbury, at its open house in Gosport, 6th to 8th July 2004. The machine offers faster and significantly extended, simultaneous back-working compared with other multi-spindle auto's on the market. This has been achieved using a synchronous pick-up spindle that presents the parted-off component to four driven or static tools positioned well away from the area of the drum, finally depositing the finished part onto a conveyor.

The kinematically-driven pick-up spindle, with the option of a second, incorporates a 320mm Y-axis for machining off-centre features in addition to having a C-axis, 120mm of travel in X and 85mm in Z.

Conventional CNC multi's with opposed spindles have a restricted number of back-working tools which can move in no more than two axes.

In common with the manufacturer's other multi's, the new CNC machine has the ability to optimise feed rates and cutting speeds at each 11.5kW/10,000 rpm spindle, avoiding compromised machining conditions and so maximising productivity as well as tool life.

The MS18C is therefore ideal for economical, large and small batch production of components up to 18mm diameter from bar, including in materials such as high temperature alloys that previously could not easily be machined on a multi.

Front-end machining versatility is high owing to the ability to OD and ID turn, cross machine with driven tools in conjunction with the C-axis at each position, and optionally carry out gear hobbing and polygon turning.

There are 11 single- or two-axis CNC slides, the latter allowing both longitudinal and cross machining, so it is not necessary to allocate a slide for one or other operation.

Control is by the Index C200-4D, a derivative of the Siemens 840D which is easy to program on the shop floor and automatically performs collision checking for the pick-up spindle(s).

Comprehensive diagnostics for the machine and control are included, and it is possible to specify tool monitoring and a teleservice connection to an Index engineer for troubleshooting.

The machine may alternatively be programmed remotely on a PC running System 200 software, which accepts CAD input and has a DNC interface.