Noblesville, Indiana – Index will use PMTS 2019 to address how manufacturers of precision parts can harness advanced technology to achieve continued growth despite the industry’s ongoing shortage of skilled labor. Located in booth #5013, the company will be showcasing its iXcenter integrated robot cell in conjunction with a TNL20-11 Swiss-type lathe, as well as demonstrating how the flexibility of its MS-16 multi-spindle lathe can be applied to offer a superior alternative to cam-driven machines.
The TNL20-11 features eleven linear axes, a front-working attachment with six stations, an autonomous counter spindle and two turrets, each with eight stations providing up to 12,000rpm and 2.0kW of power. The TNL20-11 can apply up to four tools simultaneously, and the lower turret can be equipped with a back-working attachment capable of allowing independent machining of the rear of a part. The machine offers identical, twin liquid-cooled spindles with up to 10,000rpm, 5.5kW of power and 17.2Nm of torque.
When integrated with the iXcenter robot cell, the TNL20-11 becomes even more productive. With vertical pallet storage offering 28 slots, this cell uses an articulated arm to load and unload parts and can incorporate secondary process operations or a 3D measurement device. This greatly increases the throughput potential of the machine without requiring a corresponding increase in operator intervention.
The MS16 uses six independent spindles, each assigned two cross slides, one that can travel in both the X and Z axes and a second that can travel either in the X-axis or Z-axis. Performance is further enhanced by the ability to perform C-axis machining in every spindle position and a highly dynamic synchronous spindle with extremely short acceleration and deceleration times. The machine incorporates Index’s unique W serration to allow for incredibly short changeover times.
At PMTS 2019, the MS16 will demonstrate the machining of three parts traditionally run on cam-driven machines. While the older technology has traditionally been viewed as the fastest possible way to produce simple, high volume parts, Index will showcase how multi-spindle technology can achieve comparable cycle times. The MS16 also offers the benefit of being fast and easy to changeover, providing a stark contrast to cam-driven machines, which require a high degree of skill and significant amount of time to changeover.