INDEX TRAUB announced the new TNL18 sliding headstock automatic lathe and its variant, the TNL18P production machine. The TNL18 can be changed over in minutes to produce precision parts with or without a guide bush for long or short parts from bar up to 20mm diameter. Up to three tools can be on the part at once.
The machines are ideal for medical component machining, delivering precision and qualified surface finish in a single operation.
The tool capacity of the TNL18 can be increased to as many as 54 tool places through dual- and multi-holders, extending productive times. The high-precision, fast turret indexing enables a very fast chip-to-chip time of 0.3 s. Both variants make use of the new TRAUB compact shaft system: an improved system for high-precision mounting of tool holders in the turret.
According to an INDEX spokesman, “With the sliding headstock automatic lathe TNL18 and its variant, the TNL18P production machine, TRAUB is expanding its broad portfolio to include two powerful and versatile machines. The P variant caters especially to customers looking for the optimum in price and technology without giving up the familiar comprehensive machining options for maximum productivity. The enhanced TNL18 variant is equipped with a few more features than the P variant.”
Changeover Speed, Flexibility
The lathe can quickly be changed over for use with and without a guide bush for long or short parts. The extremely long Z-travel distance of the headstock ensures the proper positioning of the main spindle, either for turning with a guide bush or without. In the standard design, the powerful main spindle is equipped with a C-axis and provided with either a direct drive with high dynamic response or a belt drive (TNL18P) and high torque in order to achieve large cutting volumes.
Simultaneous machining with multiple tools ensures high productivity levels by both machines; up to three tools may be used simultaneously on two spindles. The TNL18P production machine differs from the TNL18 variant in that the Y-axis motion of the upper turret is mapped by interpolation of the X/C/H axes, permitting contour milling, and reliable off-center, axially parallel drilling.
A powerful, swiveling sub-spindle is fitted to an X/Y/Z cross-slide, which simultaneously also carries the bottom tool turret. This slide, characterized by large axis travel distances, provides plenty of space for three-axis reverse side machining, even for geometrically complex workpieces.
New Type Tool Carriers Offer Large Capacity
The highlights of the two new models are the newly designed tool carriers, in which the rotating motion is implemented as a NC rotary axis without mechanical interlock, thus allowing the angular positioning of the turret to be freely configured
All turret stations can be equipped with fixed or driven tool holders. The tool stock in the machine can be increased to as many as 54 tool places through dual- and multi-holders. Reducing set-up time and extending productive times. The high-precision, fast turret indexing enables a very fast chip-to-chip time of 0.3 s, fully comparable to any linear tool carrier.
Both the TNL18 and the TNL18P feature the extremely solid backworking attachment that accommodates 7 tool holders of which three can be driven. In total, 4 stations are provided with an internal coolant supply. Each station can be controlled individually so that cutting oil is supplied selectively. The large travel distances of the sub-spindles enable stations to be occupied by more than one tool (e.g., dual drill holder).
Both machines use a new TRAUB for high-precision mounting of tool holders in the turret. The tool holders are seated deeper in the turret, which results in less leverage effect and, thus, higher stiffness. For driven tool holders, the large shaft diameter enables insertion of roller bearings with large diameters. A quick-change system enables high-precision, smooth exchange of tools without removing the tool holder. The TRAUB compact shaft system increases the tool life demonstrably and also contributes to improved surface quality.
CNC with Simulation.
The new control, tailored to a TRAUB TNL18P (P = production machine), combines high performance and a high degree of reliability. The operator interface of the TX8i¬p (p = production) shows data on a 10.4-inch LCD display which are entered directly via an integrated keyboard instead of a fold-out industrial keyboard.
A 64-bit Risc processor and additional PLC high-performance processor provide very fast data processing and support extremely short production times per piece. The proprietary WINFlexIPSPlus programming system is made available directly to the machine by means of an Ethernet interface to an external PC/laptop. With respect to basic configuration and programming, given identical kinematics the production control is fully compatible with the TX8i series – there is no need to develop new expertise about the control which maintains the TRAUB principle of user-friendly upward compatibility and continuous performance improvements.
Efficient Machine Design, Easy Maintenance
The vertical machine bed design results in not only a favorable chip flow but also an extremely compact footprint. This is also made possible by integrating the control cabinet in the upper part of the machine. This enables space-saving integration of the automatic lathe into existing machine groups. The working area is easily accessed by the user through its noticeably high and wide sliding door. This provides a lot of room for equipping and re-equipping activities. A generously dimensioned inspection window allows the operator to keep a close eye on the machining process.