A 5-axis B-axis turn-milling centre, intended for OEMs and subcontractors that want to produce complex, high-added-value components in a single set-up, offers an 86Nm milling spindle.

The Italian lathe manufacturer, Biglia, has introduced its first B-axis turn-milling centre, called Smart Turn 1200, aimed at OEMs and subcontractors that want to produce complex, high-added-value components in a single set-up. The 5-axis machine will be shown for the first time in the UK at MACH 2006 on the stand of sole agent, Whitehouse Machine Tools. The torque delivered by the HSK-63 milling spindle is particularly high at 86Nm, provided by a 9kW motor with a 6,000 rev/min maximum speed.

Pivoting of the B-axis above the spindle centreline is through +/-105 deg, with locking by Hirth coupling and through-spindle coolant.

There is also 210mm of Y-axis turret movement to allow complex, off-centre features to be machined.

Torque of the 26kW/2,800 rev/min main spindle motor is also high at up to 920Nm, delivered via a two-speed gearbox for aggressive metal removal when turning.

There is a 6-axis Smart Turn 1200S model as well, having an opposed, 11kW / 5,000 rev/min sub spindle with C-axis in place of the programmable tailstock.

The first Smart Turn customer in the UK will be punch and die manufacturer, AW Precision, whose works director, Graham Tranter, needs to rough out large volumes of high-speed and tool steels quickly.

The pre-milling process is designed to replace slower and more costly grinding operations on-site.

Commented Tranter, 'Of the three B-axis lathes we shortlisted, the twin-spindle Smart Turn 1200S offered by far the highest torque for milling, which was important to us as the parts we intend to put onto the machine have a lot of prismatic machining content.' Tranter said: 'The 40-position magazine can hold multiples of the five or six turning and milling tools needed to machine our parts, the generous sister tooling availability enabling lights-out machining of tool steel, despite the relatively short tip life.' Weighing 8.2 tonnes, the rigid machine is constructed around a vibration-damping, cast iron slant bed supporting hardened and ground, box-type guideways.

It is sized to manufacture parts up to 1260mm long by 580mm diameter, bar capacity being 94mm (optionally 102mm).

Accuracy is further promoted by linear scales as opposed to rotary encoders for positional feedback in the X- and Y-axis, as well as cooling of the electrical cabinet, hydraulics and built-in motor spindle.

Control is provided by Fanuc's 18i-T with LCD colour display, which contains a library of frequently used turning and milling cycles, even on inclined planes, and boring cycles.

3D program simulation is included.

* Whitehouse Machine Tools at MACH 2006, NEC, Birmingham, UK, May 15-19, Hall 5, Stand 5550.