Industry 4.0 Swiss-Style Lathes are Dynamic, Faster, More Productive

TRAUB TNL18 series Swiss-style automatic lathes from INDEX Corporation (Noblesville, IN) perform even more dynamically with an enhanced CNC control, axis amplifier, and more dynamic drives, resulting in significantly improved accelerations and top speeds. Extensive tests have confirmed that the mechanical conditions of the machine harmonize with the new dynamics. The TNL18 dynamic includes an optimized drive train that will benefit all machines in the TRAUB sliding/fixed headstock automatic lathe range: the TNL18-7B with its seven linear axes and the B-axis on the upper turret, the TNL18 9 with autonomous counter spindle and nine linear NC axes, and the TNL18-9P, optimized for series production. The rugged mechanical construction of these TNL18 machines effectively handles accelerations up to 25 percent faster than previous models. Better acceleration and optimized NC programs can reduce machining times by up to 21 percent, while the quality of workpieces remains unchanged.

However, time saved also depends on the complexity of the workpiece: the cycle is reduced about five percent on a “simple” shaft machined at mostly constant cutting speeds with only a few tool changes, but a dental implant with numerous different turning, drilling and milling operations is completely different. Besides reduced secondary times, the shorter acceleration and deceleration processes allow significantly higher feed rates for these complex cutting contours, reducing cycle times up to 21 percent. Even if the user does not implement such cycle time-related optimization measures, he still benefits from the new powertrain. A much higher contour accuracy is possible and, on components with high precision requirements, this can reduce the number of measurement processes required.

The TX8i-s V7 control on the TNL18-7B dynamic and TNL18-9 dynamic offers enhanced performance with more powerful hardware. The TX8i-s V7 comes with many convenient features for programming, editing, simulating, setting up and operating. Its state-of-the-art 15 in multi-touch display allows both conventional menu operation using a keyboard and the use of touch functions. And with this control, the user is well prepared for Industry 4.0 and future requirements: the control can provide a wealth of digital information, process it, and pass it on a network through important automation interfaces, including the industrial M2M communication protocol OPC UA, which integrates the TNL 18 into a corporate network.

INDEX Corporation, 14700 North Pointe Boulevard, Noblesville, IN 46060, 317-770-6300, Fax: 317-770-3166, [email protected], www.index-usa.com.