Pick-up spindle, 5-axis, vertical turning and machining centre combines operations into one set-up and reduces quite considerably the work-in-progress of medium batches.

The VLC 400 MT shortens production throughput times. The turning and machining center utilises the pick-up principle to load and unload itself. It turns, mills, drills, reams and grinds rotationsymmetric workpieces of up to 420mm diameter and cubic components of up to 300mm A/F, cuts threads and in-process gauges the workpieces.

Where it previously required a number of workstations, the 5-axis machine delivers a finished precision product.

Typical examples are round and not so round steel components and castings from the automotive and mechanical engineering industries.

The VLC 400 MT Turning and Machining Center reduces quite considerably the work-in-progress (production inventory) in the manufacture of medium batches.

Typical workpieces are pump housings and similar components of up to 420mm diameter or 300mm A/F.

Batch sizes of 20 to 100 are ideal.

The multi-functional machine loads the raw-parts, machines them and unloads them in ready-to-install condition.

Unlike the majority of competitive systems, the VLC 400 MT reduces the complete-machining process, the functional capacity utilisation and the economic viability to a common denominator.

As its workhandling equipment is based on the pick-up principle, the machine has really been automated from the day of its conception.

Tool changes are carried out concurrent with the cycle time.

Even resetting the machine to differently shaped and dimensioned workpieces is quick.

The VLC 400 MT offers the user further advantages, such as: * Complete-machining in a single set-up, thus guaranteeing contour integrity as well as dimensional and positional accuracy .

* linear drive technology and a solid C-block machine construction that ensure an excellent, constantly maintained surface finish.

* Shorter tool change travels that bring about a reduction in idle times.

* The arrangement of sensitive components and guideways outside the machining area, with no danger of contamination, which brings operational reliability.

* As the machine is constructed at right angles to the material flow, transfers are possible.

* In case of a rapidly changing component spectrum the initial investment remains protected.

Technical and economic details - the VLC 400 MT completely-machines ready-to-install, cubic raw-parts up to 300mm x 300mm x 300mm, as well as rotation-symmetric components of up to 420mm diameter, at five degrees of freedom, using NC axes X, Y, Z, B and C.

The materials that can be machined are - structural steels and tool steels (in exceptional cases up to 62 HRC) - high-alloy materials - grey cast iron, cast steel and light-alloy castings, as well as - light alloys and non-ferrous metals.

The following processes are considered standard: turning - milling - deep-hole drilling - reaming - grinding - threading and - in-process gauging.

Typical workpieces are round, not so round and cubic components as used by - automotive industry and motor construction - fluid technology - building, agricultural and harvesting machinery, - mechanical engineering industry and the aircraft industry.

Economical batches are - job lots - medium batches of, for instance, between 20 and 100.

* Structural details - the X-axis of the VLC 400 MT lies at right angles.

X-, Z- and C-axis are at the top, Y- and B-axis at the bottom.

The tool magazine is at the front, with the turret approaching horizontally.

Owing to its position, the magazine - for example a chain magazine with 24 positions - is considerably easier to access than others that are loaded from the back of the machine.

The VLC 400 MT is mounted on a patented mono-bloc base in Mineralit, the top part of which carries the compound slide, while the bottom part carries the milling unit with Y- and swivel axes.

To increase track pitch, the guideways are arranged diagonally.

Based on this design, the compound slide for the Z-axis also features two guideways.

Instant operational effects With its complete-machining capability the VLC 400 MT also shortens throughput times for medium batches.

Whereas previously each operation took up one working shift before the components could be passed to the next machine, they can now be complete-machined in a single set-up.

This results in greater dimensional, geometrical and positional accuracy as well as in a reduction in work-in-progress.

The primary objective with most machining centers that completely machined components is the delivery of ready-to-install components, not necessarily the degree of their economic viability.

While machining operations are carried out on one work spindle, the other one can either be put to limited use only or cannot be used at all - an uneconomical process, particularly for small or medium batches.

* workpiece pick-up is here of definite advantage - where horizontal machines are loaded by hand, with a particular operator assigned for the task, full automation is often very expensive.

The VLC 400 MT, however, saves the user the outlay for automation equipment.

Instead, the components are loaded directly from the conveyor integral storage section, which in turn is loaded cycle time-concurrent by a workman.

This way, longer unmanned time periods can also be bridged.

Technical and ergonomic benefits The suspended workpiece is a precondition for unhindered chip flow and makes removal of chips from the clamping device easier.

Shorter idle times are a result of shorter tool change travels and the use of linear axis drives.

Sensitive components are located in contamination-free areas.

For instance, the guideways of all major machine assemblies are located above the tooling zone.

All areas in which manual operations or service work have to be carried out are easily accessed.

Short- to medium-term advantages for the user The VLC 400 MT is constructed at right angles to the material flow and therefore ready to be integrated into production lines.

The versatility of the machine ensures that the user's investment is safe if component spectrum or batch sizes should change.

The VLC 400 MT is put together from components that stem from the EMAG Group's modular machine design.