CNC shaft lathe reduces loading and set-up time

Purpose-built for automated, high-precision, internal and external machining of large shafts and pipes, CNC shaft lathes has automatic chucking and steadying, for rapid loading and set-up.
Classic lathe maker Dean, Smith and Grace of Keighley, West Yorkshire, UK, has received the first order for one of its new breed of CNC shaft lathes - purpose-built for fully automated, high-precision, internal and external machining of large shafts and pipes. Designated 'SE' (Special Equipment), the first in the range, set to be delivered in February to a Northeast UK-based manufacturer of mechanical excavator rams, is a 2817 x 150 model. It incorporates a 4000mm length bed, Fanuc 18i control - and fully automated chucking and steadying equipment, for rapid loading and set-up.

By fully automating the set-up process, large and unwieldy pipes or shafts can be quickly loaded and set-up with just one operator, at a stroke slashing floor-to-floor times for what has historically been a difficult and labour-intensive task.

Providing the quick loading and set-up is a fully automatic SMW KCNS 400 hydraulic, quick release, chucking system; complemented by an SMW type SLU-Z-4 three-point roller steady with mechanical positioning.

The three-point roller steady can traverse the full length of the bed - under operator's control or automatically - to find the optimum position of support, while hydraulically operated jaws clamp to the workpiece or retract as required.

The chuck and steady work in conjunction with an automatic tailstock, designed and manufactured 'in-house' by Dean, Smith and Grace.

The tailstock utilises hydraulic power and the lathe's rack and pinion drive to automatically position at pre-set locations programmed by the operator.

Other features of the 'SE' include: Sauter 12-station auto indexing VDI turret, slat-type swarf conveyor, Fanuc digital motors, precision ball screws and Vogel/Sterling automatic lubrication system - though customers can specify the control/equipment of their choice.

Dean, Smith and Grace managing director, Nigel Grainger, comments: 'Few lathe manufacturers in the world - if any - have a machine range on the market that addresses the 'pipe' lathe sector as comprehensively as our new 'SE' range.

By keeping costs down, building on a proven build spec, and addressing the requirements of rapid loading and set-up using a single operator, this new lathe offers up new standards of cost efficiency and productivity for a wide range of industries.' A significant feature of all Dean, Smith and Grace production, including the new 'SE', is the capability not only to supply 'off-the-peg' lathes, hand-built to the highest specifications, but also individual engineered solutions tailored to the customer's needs.

Thus, Dean, Smith and Grace engineers and designers are more than happy to discuss application requirements before the build phase begins.