Taking Stock of Turning
New developments can make big differences in production.
Turning has evolved over the years to ofer a technology
choice for a vast majority of parts. It is not difcult to
fnd horizontal CNC turning centers with dual spindles
equipped with live tooling for simultaneous machining on
diferent sections of the part, vertical turning centers for
external and internal turning operations along the Z-axis
and a plethora of multi-tasking models that essentially
take a multi-axis milling machine and add C-axis turning
(mill-turn) or a CNC turning center with a milling spindle
(turn-mill).
Part complexity, volume, programming, and automation
all take important roles in determining the appropriate
technology choice. DMG MORI ( us.dmgmori.com ) has
launched the second generation of its CTX gamma 3000
TC, sporting a turning length of 3,050 mm (120.1 inches)
BY RAY CHALMERS, Contributing Editor
This is a second-generation
CTX gamma 3000 TC turn-mill
center from DMG MORI.
and a milling spindle with 120 percent more torque than the
previous generation. Driving such technology is product
diversity across a number of diferent applications, driving
down lot sizes, the company says. At the same time, work-
piece complexity continues to grow, making complete
machining in a single setup worth economic consideration.
With a standard tool magazine of 36 tools (up to 120
optional) and an optional lower turret, complete fve-axis
machining can be performed on complex parts, or optional
steady rests can be used in place of the second tool mount for
complete machining of shaft products.
Of course, such high-tech machine tools exhibit the latest
"Industry 4.0" control capabilities. Vibrations, forces and
temperatures are continuously recorded during operation by
numerous sensors and then collected, processed and saved
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