Advanced machine tools meet many budgets

To be shown at MACH 2006 is an entry-level lathe alongside a recently launched vertical turning centre and other high production models - including multi-axis mill/turn centres with linear drives.
Advanced machine tools meet many budgets To be shown at MACH 2006 is an entry-level lathe alongside a recently launched vertical turning centre and other high production models - including multi-axis mill/turn centres with linear drives. Whilst DMG is the acknowledged UK market leader for 5-axis CNC milling and high-spec turning, this popular perception belies the true extent of the company's expertise. No other company in the world offers its breadth of range that also includes multi axis mill turn, multi axis turn mill machines for both low and high volume production.

Significantly, it also offers the most extensive range of lower cost entry-level turning and milling machines that compete exceptionally well on price without compromising quality.

The main emphasis of DMG's stand at MACH will therefore be on choice.

Whatever the production need DMG has the model to suit both budget and application and there will be a broad range of machines on show to demonstrate that point, several of them never before seen in the UK.

A new entry-level lathe, the NEF 600 Fanuc, will take centre stage alongside the CTV400, a newly launched vertical turning centre and other high production models with linear drives.

A brand new model of vertical machining centre, the DMC635V will also be launched at MACH.

It appears with established high production favourites such as the upgraded DMU50ev linear for 5-axis simultaneous machining and the twin-pallet DMC80FD mill turn machine.

DMG's ability to provide high quality at the lower end of the market is largely thanks to component rationalisation.

Many of the parts used in DMG's higher specification machines also feature in the less advanced models and as both low and high specification machines are made in the same factories, build quality is also uniform.

'DMG can offer a range of machines and control systems to satisfy almost any manufacturing need from the production of a simple turned part to complex structures for aircraft and aero engines,' explained new managing director Tim Hately.

'We have an extremely strong applications team and work with our customers to find the optimum production solution.

We do not just supply and service, we build partnerships for the long term.' Indeed the long term is particularly important to DMG as in many cases it is still supporting machines that were manufactured before their operators were born! Since his appointment last year Tim Hately has placed considerable emphasis on improving after sales and service support.

'DMG develops more products using new technology such as linear drives than any other manufacturer,' Hately concluded.

'And with the exceptionally high standards we are now setting on the service side of our business, we have so much to offer every sector of the manufacturing community and this will be evident at MACH.' * Principal exhibits new at MACH - NEF 600 Fanuc entry-level lathe - the latest NEF universal lathes from DMG provide top performance from a wealth of high-tech features at an unbeatable price.

Successive generations of the NEF brand have brought users excellent value for money and with the new 400 and 600 range, whose prices start at just £31,000, this tradition continues.

No other entry-level lathe in this price bracket can match these new models for their quality, reliability and profit potential.

This price includes Fanuc 210i CNC control with Manual Guide, manual 3-jaw chuck (200mm), eight station turret and tailstock with life centre.

* CTV 400 linear, vertical turning technology at an exceptional price - exceptional performance and flexibility have already earned the CTV linear Series a high reputation in the automotive industry and similar high productivity sectors.

With specific tooling these high-speed vertical turning machines from DMG can also perform auxiliary operations such as milling, drilling and tapping.

This versatility has already enabled manufacturers to reduce unit cost significantly making them much more competitive.

With the addition of the new CTV400 linear to the range DMG has opened up this potential to larger diameters.

With a chuck capacity of up to 400mm this top-of-the-range machine has dual-track loading and unloading that can reduce handling time by up to 40%.

The high performance of the machine is complemented by a wear-free linear drive on the 1620mm X-axis that accelerates at 1G for rapid traverses up to 100m/min.

* DMC 635V - vertical machining centre - the latest generation of DMC V vertical machining centres from DMG has a terrific pedigree.

Its forerunners, the DMC 63 and 103V, were worldwide best sellers and now with a bundle of high-tech features three new models are set to uphold the trend.

With bigger tables and smaller footprints, these new verticals - the DMC 635/835/1035V - have been designed to provide a rapid return on investment.

The machines are characterised by long axis travel, a compact design, excellent performance and highly attractive starting price of GBP 39,950 (UK price) for the DMC635V machine.

They shave 20% off the production time of a typical job providing excellent value for money especially as an alternative for flexible single part machining and small to medium batch production.

The models only differ in the size of their working area; the largest machine in the range allows a work piece up to 1,000kg to be accommodated.

* DMU 50eVolution linear universal machining centre - with 5 NC axes, the newly upgraded DMU 50eV linear is ideal for highly efficient five-sided machining and 5-axis simultaneous contouring.

The NC swivel rotary table pivots the work piece around its centre of gravity and allows undercuts of up to 18 deg.

This new model now has linear drive in the X-axis for more power and precision.

* Other exhibits - Sprint 42 linear CNC auto - this machine allows complete machining of short workpieces with diameters up to 42mm in small to medium batches (65mm for the SPRINT 65).

This machine series replace conventional single spindle cam machines with higher flexibility and greater efficiency.

Integrated spindle drives and linear tool mounts allow simultaneous machining with several tools in up to 10 axes.

DMC 80FD mill turn 5-axis machine The NC-rotary table with direct-drive technology, a torque of 1,600Nm, a holding torque of 5,000Nm and speeds of up to 500 rev/min permit a wide range of milling- and turning applications for large work pieces weighing up to 800kg.