Outstanding speed, efficiency and flexibility linear motor axis equipped vertical lathes cut manning at an automotive subcontractor - reducing cost and increasing competitiveness.

The outstanding speed, efficiency and above all flexibility of the CTV linear vertical lathes from DMG have earned them a high reputation in the automotive industry. These machines are central to production at Automatic Components Bradford, UK, who use their six CTV250s to produce anti vibration products for the automotive industry, specifically crankshaft vibration. The company states, 'The CTVs allow, with specific tooling - auxiliary operations other than turning to be done - milling, drilling, and tapping, which could not be done on a conventional CNC.

These machines also reduce manning levels, which in turn reduce cost and ultimately make us more competitive' Thanks to the CTV's new Y-axis with 100mm stroke, off-centre milling and drilling operations are accommodated on the same machine set-up.

Another important contributor to the appeal and flexibility of this machine is that in addition to its standard layout, it can also be specified as a mirror image of that design.

When one of each configuration is installed together, a fully automated and complete machining cell can easily be created.

This automated 'double' allows the front and back faces of a component or workpiece to be machined consecutively without operator intervention.

As well as working in partnership, both machines can still be operated independently for maximum manufacturing flexibility.

The flexibility of the machine is also enhanced by the provision of an additional functional area in the working space.

This enables the set-up of additional tools or small multi-spindle drill heads.

The outstanding quality of the machine casting gives superb stability and vibration dampening enabling the CTV to be used for hard turning.

Its vertical spindle arrangement supports optimum swarf clearance, providing the ideal conditions for dry cutting.

At the heart of DMG's new generation of vertical lathes is the highly dynamic linear drive in the X-axis providing rapid traverse speeds of 100m/min and 1g acceleration.

High precision and resolution are assured by the machine's direct measuring systems that also dispense with the need for reference positioning.

The CTV features DMG's integrated spindle drive whose advantages are significantly greater output, high machining forces and no power loss when the spindle is idle.

The CTV has a standard 12-station turret and all stations can be fitted with powered tools and an internal coolant supply up to 20 bar.

An optional tool drive has an output of 10.8kW at a 40% duty cycle for speeds up to 6,000 rev/min.

Two models complete the CTV linear series, the CTV 200 and the CTV 250.

They differ only in chuck diameter; 200mm and 250mm respectively.

Linear stroke is 300mm, transverse and transfer stroke, 800mm.

Workpiece capacity is 230mm diameter and 340mm in height.

Both machines are controlled by the Windows-based Siemens 840D that is of course compatible with the full DMG range of Powertools support packages including DMG Netservice.