CNC turning centres range will have six and seven axes machines with subspindle, driven tools and a Y-axis feed to the turret and a purpose developed fully integrated programmable autoloading system.

The forthcoming European machine tool exhibition in Hanover has been chosen by Colchester Lathe to present its move into becoming an adding value solutions provider in multi-axis lathe technology while maintaining its current highly successful manual and two-axis products that still set the world leading bench mark for affordability. For the first time Colchester's Tornado lathe range will sport six and seven axes machines with the launch of the T8MSY with subspindle, driven tools and a Y-axis feed to the turret and with the Tornado T6MS having a purpose developed fully integrated programmable autoloading system, the APL 5000, which is currently subject to patent application. As part of the Colchester presence, a Tornado T8M three-axis lathe will also be fitted with the sister 600 Group member Pratt Burnerd's Programmable power chuck to provide demonstrations of one of the most recent innovative workholding solution developments in CNC turning.

The additional Y-axis feed being applied to the new six-axis Tornado T8MS subspindle machine will provide up to +/-40mm of stroke giving highly productive flat milling type solutions.

Described by Dr John Liverton Technical Director: 'It is the next logical step for Colchester Lathe and by introducing the new 12 station turret with larger mounting and a very robust interface to support the cross feed, this machine is very purposeful.' Meanwhile Dr Liverton explains the move to incorporate a fully integrated loading and unloading system to the Tornado taking it up to a seven-axis specification Fanuc controlled machine.

He says: 'This takes us firmly into the unmanned technology area which is well-proven in the Lights-out Tornado bar package'.

'We will now offer true cell based solution packages for bar and chucking work that will be unbeatable in world markets for productivity and price.' This fully servo-driven system operates within the confines of the machine with a novel rotating mechanism to the loading arm that is able to unload and prepare the next component for direct loading into the chuck during the current machine cycle.

It can also be parked clear of the working area to enable normal machine operation and can be tailored to integrate with a wide range of conveyoring, palletising or feed systems.

EMO 2005, Hannover, Germany, September 14-21, Hall: 17 Stand: A50.