A compact, Fanuc controlled flat bed CNC lathe is equally useable for manually operated single part cycles over a wide range of chucking, collet and shaft type operations.

MultiTurn is a compact, Fanuc controlled flat bed CNC lathe that is equally useable for manually operated single part cycles over a wide range of chucking, collet and shaft type operations. With the launch of MultiTurn, Colchester Lathe redefines the comparison chart tabulation normally put together by machine buyers to determine functionality against price for CNC lathes intended to cover production, small batch and single part machining. Capitalising on its Colchester heritage coupled with an intensive value engineering development programme, which brought new high specification centre lathes to the UK market at previous secondhand prices, Colchester Sales is now launching the first of a new series of competitively priced cast iron, flat bed CNC combination lathes with turret or quick-change toolpost options.

MultiTurn combines the versatility of full CNC, electronic and manual operation through Fanuc's latest Series OiTB CNC LCD contouring control and digital drives package.

It has twin electronic handwheels, conversational programming and is directed at machine shops wanting additional CNC capacity or lower batch size solutions.

In addition, it will be equally productive as a universal turning machine to the education, training school and general machinist demanding high flexibility or needing to replace or upgrade existing flat bed lathes with a reliable high quality metal cutting machine without compromising the investment budget.

MultiTurn is available as an electrically-operated, eight-station VDI tool turret or quick-change toolpost machine.

In both guises it is powered by a full 7.5kW Fanuc driven spindle having a 12 inch chuck capacity and 400mm swing by 1250mm between centres and, as a demonstration of its rigidity, it weighs in at well over two tonnes.

With the 165mm 'gap' piece removed the swing is extended to a massive 585 mm which is ideal for large faceplate based turning operations.

There are three programmable speed ranges of 15 to 300, 35 to 860 and 120 to 2,700 revs/min with feed rates available between 0.3 and 0.6mm/rev.

Rapid traverse rates are 10m/min.

The Fanuc OiTB control has an 8.4 inch LCD flat colour screen with a 10 GByte hard disk and electronic handwheels for manual operation.

Programming can be via DNC, ISO code and contour assist or through combinations of advanced canned cycles such as stock removal, threading and grooving.

These are easily integrated with manual operation.

Automatic cycling direct from memory gives a full CNC capability from within the fully enclosed twin slide-aside guard doors.

A full range of options include a range of chucks, faceplates and steadies to provide added versatility to the type of operations to be performed.

CNC/manual lathes now feature a 10.4 in wide colour touchscreen, keypad and system selection key, for simple and effortless mode selection and cycle input that increases programming speed.

British lathe builder Harrison has re-engineered its flagship Alpha U' range of CNC/manual lathes with the incorporation of touchscreen speed and user-friendliness. Already hailed as one of the most advanced lathes on the market, the two-axis, slant bed machine now benefits from the introduction of a Fanuc 21i-T-based touchscreen to provide the ultimate in simplicity, cutting performance and production flexibility. Specifically developed for Harrison's revolutionary new Alphas, the new '1000 series' control features a 10.4 in wide colour touchscreen, keypad and system selection key, for simple and effortless mode selection and cycle input, while high response vector control technology ensures an instantaneous response to program/cycle demands.

Power and simplicity are matched by enhanced production flexibility, with four modes of operation including HPG handwheel/DRO (manual) control, Alpha System, ISO programming and the innovative new Manual Guidance System.

The Manual Guidance System is a touchscreen accessible cutting program enabling the full generation of simple cutting profiles and complex automatic programs directly at the machine.

A teach facility is available, allowing hand wheel initiated moves to be recorded as a program and re-run automatically after completion of the first component, while all programs generated can be stored to memory for later use or saved to AlphaLink software.

Additionally, all programs generated in the comprehensive 'Cycle Cutting' mode may be converted to a full CNC program if required.

The introduction of the touchscreen control brings even more 'user-friendliness' to what is one of the most advanced two-axis lathes on the market today.

The Alpha is constructed with a composite base assembly, which is matched to a 30-degree box section slant-bed to form a single, rigid unit.

This configuration offers outstanding thermal, kinematic and dynamic damping characteristics that relate directly to the quality of component surface finish and accuracy of cut.

When this radical slant-bed design is allied to a powerful spindle motor, ultra efficient digital drives, silk-smooth two-speed automatic gearbox and Fanuc digital electronics, the Alpha offers better cutting performance and greater accuracy than any other lathe in its class.

The Alpha U with 1000 series control is available in four models: the Alpha 1330U (330mm swing over 0.76m bed); Alpha 1400U (400mm swing over 1.25m bed); Alpha 1460U (460mm swing, with choice of 1m, 1.5m or 2m bed); and Alpha 1550U (550mm swing over 1m, 1.5m, 2m or 3m bed).

An innovative financing package based on asset finance, enables the purchaser of centre lathes to restructure and consolidate its existing equipment finance packages into the deal without increases.

An innovative financing package from Colchester Sales, based on asset finance, enables the purchaser of any of the range of Colchester CNC, combination and manual centre lathes to restructure and consolidate its existing equipment finance packages into the deal without having to increase the monthly payments. Based on a finance package engineered by Colchester Sales sister company 600 Finance, which is a specialist in generating machine tool equipment purchase packages, a Colchester Sales customer could install, for instance, a Tornado 120 three-axis mill/turn centre with integrated bar feed and 12 driven tool position turret for under GBP 50,000. It can then amortise any existing finance commitments into the package with no increase in monthly outgoings.

Also with 600 Finance schemes, Colchester Lathe users can have the benefit of five year mechanical and electrical breakdown cover which includes accidental damage, operator error and unforeseen problems such as impact collision.

The 'roll-in' finance package for new Colchester turning machines is available across the range and provides a cost-effective method of immediately benefiting from higher productivity from the latest high technology machines without affecting the cashflow of the business.

As part of the recently restructured Colchester Sales operation, where technical centres have been set up in Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, 600 Centre in Shepshed for the Midlands and at RK International of Erith, Kent, for the South, the 600 Finance operation has the advantage of dedicated finance business managers, with high levels of understanding and expertise from their in-depth specialist experience with machine tool users.

A fixed price for five years of insurance cover against mechanical and electrical breakdown, which also includes accidental damage and operator error, is available for Colchester CNC lathes.

A fixed price for five years of insurance cover against mechanical and electrical breakdown, which also includes accidental damage and operator error, for the Colchester range of CNC and combination lathe ranges, is now available from Colchester Sales Technical Centres which provides up to 100 (pounds sterling) a day compensation when the machine is out of action. Based in Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, the 600 Centre in Shepshed for the Midlands and at RK International in Erith, Kent, for the South of England, the customer orientated Colchester Sales Technical Centres provide full demonstration, sales and applications support. The Colchester Sales 'fixed price' cover can be paid against a monthly premium spread over the five years, added to any cost of finance for the machine or can be paid as a loan in a separate finance package.

For example, to purchase a top of the range Colchester Tornado 120M, three-axis mill/turn lathe worth GBP 49,500 the additional premium over five years would work out toGBP 3,712.50p plus IPT tax at five per cent.

If the premium were paid separately over 60 months, with finance support it would be just GBP 80.75p per month.

Advantages of the scheme include immediate attention to the repair by a Colchester Lathe factory trained engineer and the machine being insured for its full replacement value.

Claims up to GBP 12,500 or 50 per cent of the full value are covered, which ever is the lower.

For machines up to GBP 100,000 in sales value, compensation is included for up to six months when the machine is out of action at GBP 100 per day.

Cover for fire, aircraft and explosion is automatically included for machines worth up to GBP 100,000, which is transferable to new owners when the machine is sold.

This is an important advantage that increases the residual value of the machine.

However, wear and tear is excluded from the policy and the first GBP 250 of each claim is set aside as an excess payment.

For a set price of GBP 20,000, Colchester Sales is launching a ground-breaking specification of a flat bed combination CNC/electronic/manual lathe at Productivity in the North.

For a set price of GBP 20,000, Colchester Sales is launching a ground-breaking specification of a flat bed combination CNC/electronic/manual lathe at Productivity in the North. The machine has a swing of 400mm, 1250mm between centres, 7.5kW drive and the latest Fanuc Oi TB control and driven package. Productivity in the North, staged at the Colchester Sales Technical Centre between 17 and 19 June, brings together 12 of the leading UK suppliers of machine tools, tooling, metrology, CADCAM, support equipment and finance as part of the opening of the centre in Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire.

The centre is located adjacent to the Colchester Lathe machine tool plant.

Participating companies include Colchester Lathe with its range of turning machines, 600 Centre demonstrating its Fanuc Robodrill, Wire EDM, Joemars vertical EDM and Okamoto surface grinder, Richmond vertical machining centres, Fanuc Robotics, Sandvik Coromant, Renishaw, Tech CADCAM, Centreline, Pratt Burnerd, Oel-Held coolants, Nikken and Hirschmann.

Vertical turning lathes are designed to meet European customers' needs for cost-effective chuck machining, particularly for small-and medium-sized series as well as volume production.

The latest addition to the range of high-performance, multi-axis CNC lathes produced by Italy's leading manufacturer - the BV Machines - is a series of vertical lathes complete with integrated automation. The BV Series has been designed to meet European customers' requirements for cost-effective chuck machining, particularly for small-and medium-sized series, but also suitable for mass production. The moving vertical spindle performs both machining and automatic loading/unloading of parts.

Short travels, combined with high rapid traverse drastically reduce idle times.

The easy access to the work area allows the operator to perform quick and convenient tooling-up operations.

The BV vertical lathes comprising ASA 6in (BV160) or ASA 8in (BV180) spindles can be equipped with driven tools, C- axis and Y-axis to carry out complete machining of complex parts.

Biglia's robust build (the machines weigh in excess of 5 tonnes) and long-term reliability, together with a specification which compares favourably with competitive machines - for example 48m/min.

rapid traverse, 18kW motor and 318Nm max.

torque, 150mm Y-Axis travel - combine to make these new machines a natural choice for progressive sub-contractors and tier-one suppliers alike.

Launched at the recent Open House at their Biglia's production facility in Northern Italy, the new machines will be formally introduced at the forthcoming EMO exhibition - judging by the initial response of UK customers who visited the Open House though, the first examples will be ordered and installed long before the Milan show.

Long and Marshall installed a DMU50eV linear five-axis machining centre.

Four years ago, Havant-based precision subcontractor, Long and Marshall, purchased its first five-axis machining centre - a DMU70eV from DMG (UK). Such has been the machine's success in attracting new orders, particularly from the defence sector, that the ambitious company has just installed a DMU50eV linear, helping Long and Marshall further optimise manpower and grow its order book to unprecedented levels. Established over 30 years ago by the father of current managing director (Vincent Long), the company has evolved into a 43-employee concern.

Long and Marshall has been successful in developing its knowledge base and experience in providing machining solutions for complex and fine tolerance parts, particularly for the defence and aerospace industries.

In particular, the company specialises in the close tolerance production of complex components, often from exotic materials.

The move to full five-axis machining began in 2002 when Long and Marshall wanted to progress from its existing Japanese machining centre, which featured an added four/five-axis (turn and tilt) table.

'The industry sectors in which we operate were demanding more jobs to be completed in a single operation to ensure costs remained competitive,' explains Mr Long.

'We had a Japanese machine and approached our supplier to enquire about five-axis models, but the lead-time was too long'.

'We subsequently spoke to DMG and discovered what the DMU70eV could offer'.

'From that moment on we haven't looked back'.

Since then Long and Marshall has added to its DMG armoury, installing a Gildemeister Twin 65, a twin spindle, twin turret turning centre in 2003 and a Gildemeister CTX 410 universal CNC lathe in 2004.

However, over the past 18 months, the prismatic machining workload increased to a point where the company had to consider another five-axis machining centre'.

''While we looked at other machines we realised that buying another DMG would represent zero learning curve for our operators - we could also continue to use our existing fixtures,' says Mr Long.

In July 2006 Long and Marshall installed a DMU50eV linear five-axis machining centre.

It is already being used to machine a variety of parts, largely for the Ministry of Defence, such as ground handling equipment spares and various aircraft components.

Batch sizes range from 10-400 off with certain positional tolerances as tight as 0.02mm.

The company specified an increased tool capacity on its DMU 50eV linear, allowing it to run two jobs at the same time simply by alternating pallets.

'The new machine provides us with the ability to reduce the number of set-ups on even more jobs,' continues Mr Long.

'We have also optimised our manpower - just one operator oversees the two DMUeV machines'.

'The DMU50eV linear is a very capable and accurate machine and we have no hesitation in running it across our double-day shift from 06:00-22:00'.

Continual investment in the latest machining technology has ensured that Long and Marshall is now one of the premier CNC machining companies in the south of England.

The company has ISO 9001:2000 accreditation and applies lean manufacturing principles.

Further operational procedures such as supply chain management and business continuity planning are currently being rolled-out at the 2500 sq m site.

'We try to invest every year,' concludes Mr Long.

'For the past few years this has been focused on DMG technology, which has undoubtedly help attract new business - our customers certainly like to see high quality, modern machinery that helps us remain competitive'.

Believed to be the most accurate CNC lathe yet produced by a company already renowned for precision, a gang tool machine offers 0.0001mm resolution on diameters and length.

The Quest GT model replaces the successful Conquest GT27 after 11 years in production. The virtues of the earlier model in terms of fast change over, fast cycle times and Hardinge Super Precision accuracy are completely revised, with an all new high speed 8,000 rpm spindle and much more capable driven tooling. The Quest GT27SP is the most accurate Hardinge CNC lathe ever put into production, with 0.0001mm resolution on diameters and length and spindle runout figures that are better than most grinding machines.

The detachable tool top plate system (3 minute changeover) enables complete set ups to be saved for repeating batch work, making the Hardinge GT the ultimate in lean manufacturing.

With no offset adjustments to make for parts with tolerances down to 0.010mm or better, the Quest GT has universal appeal.

The addition of a multi tool end working driven tooling arrangement and full C-axis spindle adds significantly to the productive capability of the machine with sub-second chip to chip tool changes.

The 8,000 rpm spindle has fast acceleration / deceleration to ensure that short cycle operations typical for hard turning can be completed in short order, with or without automatic loading systems.

Hardinge announces record machine tool sales for September.

Hardinge Machine Tools has had one of its best months ever with sales for new machine tools topping GBP2.1M in September 2006. The result, the best since the acquisition of Bridgeport some 20 months ago and the subsequent creation of an integrated brand sales team- represents 40 machine tools sold within the UK - achieved at a time when some machine tool companies have been feeling the pinch. One of the most pleasing (and satisfying) aspects about the performance has been how representative the sales have been.

Says David Andrew, Sales and Marketing Director at Hardinge Machine Tools; 'Across all of our sales territories activity has been hectic - and, these outstanding results have not been confined to a particular machine tool technology either'.

'We've seen high demand for our milling, turning and grinding machines - from standard entry level right through to our more sophisticated and advanced models'.

The September results demonstrate the power and exploit of the Hardinge brand - and its obvious appeal to UK precision manufacturers.

Already on a high since its great sales performance at - and following MACH 2006 - these results reflect well on the Company's relatively new sales team and indicate a clear upward trend for Hardinge machine tool sales.

Concludes David Andrew: 'Results like these don't happen by chance'.

'A lot of individual and collective hard work (over many months) - and throughout the whole organisation - has gone into creating the right conditions for this increased level of sales activity'.

Working very closely with European machine tool builders, a revitalised machine tool company will show competitively priced CNC lathes at MACH 2004, with the latest user-friendly, touch-screen CNCs.

Ajax Machinery's new owner will be presenting a revitalised company and introducing new ranges of high quality, cost-effective products at MACH. These new Ajax machine tools include European-manufactured manual CNC and production lathes, universal CNC bed milling machines, vertical machining centres and vertical band saws. According to Managing Director, William Savin: 'We have reawakened the giant that was Ajax and are bringing it back to the forefront.

Since I acquired the company we have set about raising the quality of the products and services we offer to a new high.

' We have been working very closely with European machine tool builders to develop product ranges that are manufactured under contract for us to our exacting specifications.

The engineering experience of these companies is second to none and we are not afraid to acknowledge them - we want them to be proud to be manufacturing for us,' he says.

One of the fruits of this product development programme is a new manual CNC lathe, the Ajax Apollo QT.

The machines feature Fanuc's QuickTurn control as well as Fanuc drives and motors.

At prices ranging from GBP 12,950 for a 335mm swing lathe with 750mm between centres to GBP 28,950 for a 620mm swing 155mm spindle bore machine with 3m between centres, the range offers the benefits of simple user-friendly CNC for the same price as many manual lathes.

'We see the Apollo QT as a manual lathe with CNC assistance,' says William.

'The touch screen control is very simple to use.

A manual turner can get straight on the machine and use it.

If he wants to he can operate it without engaging the control, but why wind a handle when the CNC will do the job more quickly?

This is aimed at being a replacement for manual machines.' Wherever possible Ajax now offers the choice of European manufactured machinery at a price comparable to Far Eastern machines from other suppliers.

In a number of areas, such as turret mills, it complements its Ajax range of European machines with even more cost effective Taiwanese alternatives.

The company has recently relocated to purpose-built premises in Lymington that give it the capacity to support its continuing expansion.

Hardinge has launched two websites to help customers understand the requirements of super precision turning and hard turning technologies.

Hardinge acknowledged leaders in super precision turning and hard turning technology have launched two new websites to help customers understand the requirements of these processes and the latest Hardinge product developments aimed at extending the boundaries of possibility in these areas. www.hardinge.com/hardturn is designed to further the education and development of the techniques required to be successful with existing and potential users of hard turning methods. The site includes details of the hard turning techniques that Hardinge have developed with real world customer examples and the results of hard turning research carried out both in USA and Europe.

Guidance is provided on the selection of parts that can be produced by hard turning with the benefits and results that can be achieved.

Other areas covered are machine and workholding selection for successful hard turning processes.

Hardinge have introduced a new service for evaluating and developing hard turning production methods on customer components in both USA and UK.

Hard turning methods can be developed at the Hardinge facilities with pre-production batches being produced to demonstrate capability.

One of the most recent developments from Hardinge is the introduction of Hydrostatic slideway systems for the Quest model multi-tasking lathes.

www.hardinge.com/hydroglide identifies the benefits of this Hardinge patented development in machine technology and the contribution it can make in terms of positioning accuracy and tool life extension.

Tool life plays a most important part in the economic justification for hard turning operations.

The Hydroglide system slideways in conjunction with Harcrete synthetic granite reinforcement of the machine base on Quest machines significantly widens the goal posts for successful hard turning.

The Super Precision machining results achieved using Quest machines with Hydroglide have been outstanding in terms of surface finish, size repeatability, part geometry and the roundness produced.

Latest flat bed CNC lathe is equally useable for manually operated single part cycles over a wide range of chucking, collet and shaft type operations.

Colchester Sales is to demonstrate its latest Fanuc controlled flat bed CNC lathe at Productivity Partnerships 2003, staged at 600 Centre, Shepshed, between 7 and 9 October, which is equally useable for manually operated single part cycles over a wide range of chucking, collet and shaft type operations. With the launch of the MultiTurn 1000 and 2000 versions, Colchester Lathe redefines the functionality against price ratio for CNC lathes intended to cover production, small batch and single part machining. The three-day Productivity Partnerships event involves some 18 of the UK's leading production and toolmaking technology suppliers and encompasses machining systems and cells, turning, milling, grinding, EDM, inspection and gauging, automation, workholding, control systems, tooling, cutting fluids, CAM and finance.

To register for your invitation see www.productivity-partnerships.co.uk Here, the demonstration of programming single cycles or production turning on the Colchester MultiTurn is a prime example of what can be seen at the event.

MultiTurn combines the versatility of full CNC, electronic and manual operation through Fanuc's latest Series OiTB CNC TFT contouring control with Manual Guide Oi conversational programming and digital drives package.

It has twin electronic handwheels, conversational programming and is directed at machine shops wanting additional CNC capacity or lower batch size solutions.

In addition, it will be equally productive as a universal turning machine to the education, training school and general machinist demanding high flexibility or needing to replace or upgrade existing flat bed lathes with a reliable high quality metal cutting machine without compromising the investment budget.

MultiTurn is available as an electrically-operated, eight-station VDI bi-directional disc tool turret or four-way quick-change toolpost machine.

In both guises it is powered by a full 7.5kW Fanuc driven spindle with the 1000 carrying a 200mm chuck and the 2000 a larger capacity 250mm chuck.

Swing and between centres capacities are 350mm by 650mm and 400mm by 1156mm respectively.

The Fanuc OiTB control has an 8.4 inch TFT flat colour screen with a 10 GByte hard disk and electronic handwheels for manual operation which can be used in conjunction with combinations of advanced canned cycles such as stock removal, threading and grooving as a fully integrated operation.

Automatic cycling direct from memory gives a full CNC capability from within the fully interlocked enclosed twin slide-aside guard doors.