CREDIT: EMAG
EMAG’s VT 4 CNC vertical turning centers have integrated automation, simultaneous 4-axis machining, and IoT-ready capabilities. These heavy-duty, high-performance machines can face and center components as well as machine the part OD and ID and provide live tool capability for milling and drilling, eliminating the need for additional individual machines. Fewer machines not only save expensive floor space and capital, but they also limit multiple clamping processes, reducing cycle times and minimizing the chances of errors and damage to parts.
Key features of the VT 4
- High precision and efficiency: short cycle times and simultaneous four-axis machining for enhanced productivity.
- Integrated automation: automatic loading and unloading with workpiece grippers for reduced idle times.
- Robust process reliability: vertical arrangement ensuring free downward chip flow to prevent build-up.
Advanced machining capabilities
The VT 4 is designed to machine shaft parts up to 24.8" (630mm) in length with an extended bed version to 3.28ft (1m) in length and up to 7.87" (200mm) in diameter. Two tool turrets with 11 tool posts each are available for machining (one tool post on each turret is occupied by the workpiece gripper). This enables simultaneous four-axis machining of workpieces from two sides.
Workpiece grippers transfer the raw parts into the turning center and pick them up again after machining, reducing chip-to-chip times as well as related component costs. Depending on the workpiece, this changeover time lasts only about six seconds. Simultaneously turning from two sides using 4-axis machining makes the actual turning process very fast, too. The vertical arrangement of the component also ensures long-lasting process reliability, since gravity assists chip flow, helping avoid chip build-up in the machine compartment.
Integrated automation system
Automatic loading and unloading are integral parts of the machine. The workpiece grippers in the two turrets move the raw parts from the workpiece carriers on an incremental chain conveyor into their vertical position in the turning center. The VT 4 turning centers are easy to add to a production cell since the automation system can also be used to transfer processed parts to the next station in the cell.
Applications in shaft production
The VT 4 is ideal for automotive, aerospace, industrial, and gear shaft manufacturing including:
- transmission shafts
- rotor shafts
- pump shafts
- engine shafts
EDNA IoT-ready technology
All EMAG VT 4 turning centers come standard as IoT-ready. Using data from EMAG’s EDNA analytic software, unnecessary downtimes – due to component wear or, in the worst case, due to the failure of a machine – can be reduced or avoided entirely. Productivity improvements of more than 10% are typical with this solution and data analysis on the machines can be started virtually immediately.