Two turning centres take their turn

The CT-52-LR extends XYZ’s use of linear rail technology to turning centres for the first time. Having proved successful on its machining centre range, where sales have been high, the same level of interest in linear rail technology is being shown for the CT-52-LR.

The advantage of using linear rails is primarily the cost, but without any compromise in capability. The CT-52-LR is available from under £36,000 making it highly advantageous to small and medium-sized businesses looking to step up to turning centre use.

Despite of the relatively low cost, the CT-52-LR features an impressive specification as standard. This includes 15hp/11.2kW, 4,500rpm spindle, 52mm spindle bore, 10 station turret and Siemens 828D control with the PLC written by Siemens UK.

As standard, the CT-52-LR is equipped with a 150mm three-jaw chuck, but there is an optional Hainbuch collet system and Hydrafeed or LNS bar feed units. All of this is built upon a 2,000kg solid Meehanite cast base that provides the rigidity required for impressive machining performance.

As part of the Compact Turn family, the CT-52-LR lives up to its description, with a footprint of just 1,930mm by 1,420mm. This makes it ideal for the smallest of machine shops, meaning it can almost be located anywhere in the factory. This small footprint disguises a large turning capacity which sees a maximum turning length of 300mm, swing over the carriage of 300mm and a maximum turned diameter of 180mm.

The larger XYZ CT-65-HD complements the existing Compact Turn CT-65 and comes with enhanced turning capacity with a 510mm maximum turned length, almost double its predecessor increasing by 250mm, and a total Z-axis travel of 525mm.

Another upgraded addition is the increased coolant delivery pressure, which now runs at 30 L/minute at 2.5bar. The HD designation relates to the CT-65-HD’s construction, which remains as a solid Meehanite ribbed casting, with X- and Y-axes positioned along hardened and ground box slideways.

Positioning is via ballscrews that have been increased in size to 28mm (X-axis) and 40mm (Z-axis) respectively, with 20m/minute feed rates. Metalcutting performance is enhanced using a Siemens 23hp/17kW, 4,500rpm unit and the upgraded Siemens 828D ShopTurn touchscreen control.

This is backed by a Sauter 12-position 30 VDI turret with through tool coolant, along with the MT4 tailstock with 105mm of quill travel. Other standard equipment includes a swarf conveyor, parts catcher, 200mm diameter hydraulic chuck and a Renishaw automatic tool setting arm. The machine’s footprint is just 2,950mm by 2,030mm.

Nigel Atherton, managing director XYZ Machine Tools says: “The arrival of these two additions to our range will provide us with a powerful turning centre portfolio, which we hope will see a better balance between turning centre and machining centre sales for XYZ Machine Tools.

At present, machining centres outsell turning centres by around 3 to 1 but with these additions, we can see that becoming more balanced. We are already witnessing significant interest in the CT-52-LR with machines already delivered to customers.”

XYZ Machine Tools www.xyzmachinetools.com