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Otto Engineering markets its products via two divisions: Otto Controls and Otto Communications.
The machine shop is run by John Lang and services the controls division, which manufactures parts for an extensive line of switches and grips used in forklifts, tractors, medical defibrillator paddles, washing machines, F1 steering wheels, B2 bomber flight controls and much more.
The communications division of the Carpentersville, Illinois-based company manufactures and assembles headsets for large corporations and for pilots and military in the field.
When Lang joined Otto Engineering 22 years ago, he knew that as an engineering-focused OEM, Otto had great products but the machine shop was taking too long to produce components and there was too much waste.
The company needed to make parts more efficiently so it could bring prices down on end products and stay competitive.
The ISO:9001, ISO:14001 and AS9100B business added several machines over the next 15 years - including a dozen single-spindle turning centres - and began to make parts in a more modern way.
Employees worked to consolidate and pre-set tools in the turning centres to reduce setup times and streamline production.
When the turning centres were at full capacity, Otto realised it needed more spindles to meet demands.
Instead of simply purchasing more single-spindle turning centres, the company looked at the problem from an engineering perspective and then visited the IMTS show in 2002.
The solution appeared as a multi-spindle turning centre.
The team wondered if it could get the job done using less floor space and less overheads by purchasing one multi-spindle machine instead of several single spindles.
Working with companies such as Nasa, Boeing, Caterpillar, John Deere, Toro and Motorola, as well as the US military, Otto sought to reduce its parts inventory to ‘just-in-time’ levels - from one months worth of parts to one weeks worth of parts - or less.
The plan was to run 400 different part numbers on a multi-spindle with an average lot size of 100 pieces.
But as multi-spindle machines are generally classified as lower flexibility, higher-volume machine tools, the company was determined to find out if a multi-spindle machine could indeed handle its high flexibility, low-volume workload.
A multi-spindle machine turned out to be the solution and the company’s cycle times reduced from one minute to 10 seconds; it made Otto so productive that within just four years it was at capacity again.
It was soon realised that Otto didn’t have the capacity it desired and the machine was not particularly well serviced - leaving the company wide open to lengthy and unacceptable downtime.
‘We were doing a fine job making parts on the multi, but I didn’t like the machine, so I started looking around for another,’ said Lang.
‘When Hydromat highlighted Tornos, I was immediately interested,’ he added.
In January 2008, Otto took delivery of a Tornos Multialpha 8×20.
‘The Tornos has eight spindles instead of six, so I can put more tools in the machine and get more families of parts,’ said Lang.
‘Instead of taking something out and putting something in, it’s already there and ready to go.
‘There were parts that we have on [the Tornos] that for instance we would have liked to put in the other multi, but we couldn’t because there were too many features, grooves, threads and double threads, and as the machine goes around, you run out of stations.
‘With eight spindles you can add a groover and an extra threading operation or another slot and so on,’ he added.
Cycle times have also been reduced using the Tornos.
One particular part that took four minutes on the other multi takes 20 seconds on the Tornos.
And the parts come off 100 per cent complete.
While Lang recognises that the team is not using the multi-spindle the traditional way, the system the company has developed works well.
Otto’s controls division has 15 major product categories with thousands of individual products under each category.
It has 30 full-time engineers constantly working on new products.
This means the Tornos multi-spindle has to be very flexible.
‘Normally when a person buys a multi-spindle, they buy it for making one part and a million of them,’ said Lang.
‘But we will set the Tornos up for 30 pieces.
‘We’ll also set it up for 1,000 pieces or even 15, 50 or 3,500 pieces,’ he added.
No matter what size part the company is making, it always uses 7/8in diameter aluminum to do it.
‘If we’re making a 1/2in diameter case, we make it out of 7/8in diameter,’ explains Lang.
‘The material is there and never changes.
‘After the first program is complete, our setups are scheduled for 15 minutes or less.
‘Most people associate a multi-spindle with a three-day set-up.
‘We’ve reduced our setup times through engineering and pre-set tooling,’ he added.
As an example, one part the company is producing will become a sealed ‘trim’ switch about 1.25in long, with a milled slot in one end and three milled notches in the other.
There is a deep O-ring sealing surface on the inside and a pinhole on the outside.
‘If we set up a part such as this in one of the other machines, it would cost too much and could take hours,’ said Lang.
‘Now, we just push a few buttons and off we go,’ he added.
The company uses pre-set tooling and a single material protocol to save on setup time and the wasted material only costs an average of one dime per part.
‘We actually make more money in the lower volume stuff,’ explains Lang.
‘Someone even orders 15 pieces - there’s not another switch company out there that would set this up for 15 pieces.
‘We do it and make money on it because we can charge more for the switch.
‘I don’t think a lot of people would think to give away the six cents of material difference between the small button parts and the big parts.
‘Because I get money back on the chips, six cents really might be four cents.
‘Plus, if you consider the changeovers - to changeover that bar feeder and all eight collets, pickoff, get it running, knock out the little bugs in it, it’s a day of production,’ he added.
Another idea from Otto is a parts-collection system that was created to help run lights out.
The system has four baskets, each perched over a stainless drawer that rests on a rolling platform.
The whole thing is about 6ft long by 2ft high by 2ft deep and rolls into position on large casters to sit under the parts conveyor catching finished parts as they fall out of the machine.
It separates parts by part program or by hour and helps with quality control - allowing Otto to back track to a particular bin when a problem occurs.
‘Our goal is to have 50-75 parts or work orders through this [Tornos] machine every single month and 500 hours of production,’ said Lang.
‘At the end of the year, that’s 6,000 hours of production.
‘Eventually, we’re going to have four identical bins on the other side of the machine, so on a weekend we can set the Tornos up for eight programs.
‘We can have it run a certain amount of parts in each basket and it will automatically go from job to job without anybody being there.
‘When I get the Tornos up to 300 programs - then I will have the flexibility to go through the families of parts and link them together - by processes and by tools.
‘If we had the work, I could put one person on my two multi-spindle machines on days and one on nights; those two people would out produce the rest of the machines in the shop by 2:1,’ he added.

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The Citizen A32 CNC sliding-head turn mill has increased productivity at Labfacility of Bognor Regis, a large manufacturer of temperature sensors.

Tony Russell, general manager of the Connector Division, said: ‘The Citizen A32 installation in November 2008 provided us with a much needed increase in turn-mill capacity (from 16mm bar) to 32mm.
Also, due to its inherent rigidity coupled with its rapid control processing speed, 45m/min traverse rate and overlapping tool slide capability, the machine has cut existing cycle times by at least 30 per cent,’ he added.

Labfacility is recognising a growth rate of around 10 per cent and exports have grown by 20 per cent over recent years for its range of sensors and connectors that includes standard and miniature, plugs and sockets, some able to withstand temperatures up to 560C.

It also produces thermocouples, infrared sensors, thermometers, temperature measurement devices and process control and transmitting devices, and also has a calibration facility for temperature probes between -10C to 1,200C.

Originally set up to provide a precision turned parts service for its own OEM component production with a capacity up to 42mm diameter bar size, the service was expanded into subcontract supply.

This now contributes sales of 25 per cent to the business turnover.

‘The need for temperature and process control has never been greater because the monitoring of any change is so important today over a multitude of sectors and applications from food and drink, refrigerated vehicles, aerospace, automotive, petrochemical and electronics to medical and plastics industry,’ said Russell.

For the company, in-house production is critical due to the specialist involvement required and need to control production of so many different and unusual types of materials - that can also be difficult to source and tend to be very expensive.

‘This means our selection of production equipment and in-house skill levels are vital to our existence,’ said Russell.

‘Our capability has also been drawn to the attention of other companies that are seeking a reliable and experienced turned parts supplier and led to this side of the business growing quite quickly,’ he added.

In his view, this puts his Citizen machines well into the context.

A K-16 sliding head installed in 2006 allowed the company to combine operations into a single cycle - something that could never be achieved with two-axis lathes.

The K-16 also freed up design restraints for more complex components and enabled previous subcontracted parts to be brought back inside.

‘We made an immediate 25 per cent saving with that machine, and the Citizen A-32 gives us an even greater contribution to our productivity,’ said Russell.

The installation of the Citizen A32 has recorded 18-hour day production runs through the single-shift operation.

According to Russell’s records, it is also achieving a utilisation level that is exceeding 55 per cent and still growing, a great achievement for small batch work.

The K-16 is running at 75 per cent, which tends to be on longer running jobs with fewer changeovers.

Helping improve the result of greater frequency for changeover and tool change is its use of the Sandvik QC quick-change tool system on the Citizen A32, which allows the setter to change all six turning tools in less than 10 minutes.

To Labfacility this is important as thermocouple materials are so demanding to machine especially when nickel chrome, nickel aluminium and cupro-nickel alloys are involved.

These are in addition to a wide array of stainless materials such as 431 magnetic iron and the normal copper, brass and steels.

Due to the expectation of swarf problems from these materials, Russell’s machine specification for the A32 included Citizen’s 2,000psi Coolblaster II and from experiences gained, this programmable high-pressure coolant system is to be retro fitted to the K-16 as well.

‘Coolblaster gives so much added security to the turning process, helping to avoid “birds nesting” of swarf that would be so troublesome when running unmanned with these difficult materials,’ said Russell.

He also cites its advantage when drilling deep holes; the system has the pressure to evacuate swarf chips without pecking cycles and the ability to keep coolant at the cutting edge of the tools.

Coolblaster also ensures the collet on the subspindle is regularly flushed and is free from contamination ensuring a true pick-up of parts for finish machining once they are exchanged from the main spindle.

Parts produced include compression fittings, glands and plain and threaded pot seals between 0.5mm and 6mm diameter, probe tips, terminal head fittings, connector pins, bayonet caps and adaptors, caps and adaptors and locknuts, which currently total some 300,000 parts a year.

Batches tend to be between 1,000 and 5,000 parts.

However, a connector pin can be required in batches up to 10,000 in difficult materials, and these are mainly run on the K-16 at a frequency of every three weeks or so.

To simplify changeovers, Labfacility is able to group together some of the 13 different product types produced for its own use into standard material sizes of 8mm, 13mm and 16mm.

One important saving on material has proven to be very welcome by the production team through the turn-mill capability of Citizen machines and particularly the extra torque given by the A32.

This has produced savings of up to 40 per cent against the price of each metre length of some of the more difficult materials by milling hexagons on the machine rather than having all the problems associated with bought-in hexagon material.

‘Setting and machining can be faster, tooling lasts longer and a milled hexagon really looks a precision part, and this round material is easier to obtain and stock,’ said Russell.

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Citizen has developed an adaptive guide bushing (AGB) solution, which is intended to enable the use of a cheaper bright bar instead of the normal ground or specially prepared bar material.

The AGB solution is available on the company’s range of CNC sliding-head lathes.

The system will accommodate any tolerance variation on the outside diameter of the cheaper material, while allowing the normal machining speeds and feeds, consistent accuracy and high concentricity levels to be maintained on components.

Available on all new Citizen machines supplied through Citizen Machinery UK of Watford, the AGB system replaces the standard rotary guide bushing, which, because of its operating diameter, is fixed and requires the use of close-tolerance ground material when strict size and geometric tolerances have to be maintained.

The problem with more standard bright bar material is the wider tolerance limits of the rolled material, which permits the outside diameter to fluctuate in size from bar to bar, according to the company.

On all sliding-head machines, the standard rotary guide bush uses a single taper to provide the mechanical actuation, meaning that the length of the bearing surface of the bush to support the bar is normally restricted to between 15mm and 19mm.

It also creates a non-parallel closing action for the bush, meaning that if the barstock is on minimum tolerance, it is only gripped by the front of the collet.

This effect can also cause the headstock collet to lose position and have a detrimental influence on the surface finish of the part.

If, however, the material is close to its top limit, the gripping action of the collet is only applied to its back end.

Further problems can also emerge when machining titanium, for instance, or gummy materials such as certain stainless steels when the sliding-head machining process attempts to draw the bar back into the guide bush.

The Citizen AGB has a double taper that initiates a more positive parallel closing action along its material support length of 50mm, which is up to three times longer than is achieved with the single taper.

As a result, constant pressure is applied around the bar material and, as a result of its positive action, the bushing is able to accommodate material with a size variance of +/-0.1mm in diameter.

Since the Citizen AGB always maintains a constant pressure, the bar material will remain on the machine centre line, minimising run-out and enabling tighter concentricity to be maintained during the cutting process.

With the AGB system, a protective shield disc is provided to minimise contamination from fine particles of swarf and, with its locking nose cap, quick and easy removal from the front of the machine spindle is possible using a wrench and pin spanner.

The unit can also be assembled away from the operating area.

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Rem Sales has announced the introduction of two Tsugami Precision Swiss turns, available for delivery from March 2010.

The 20mm models, the Tsugami S205 and Tsugami S206, are suitable for the production of complex parts.

Live tools for cross and face operations are found on the main and sub spindle.

A two-path control permits true, simultaneous operation of the main and sub spindle, which reduces cycle times.

The modular, spacious tool zone allows driven tools to be moved from main to sub spindle and from face to cross positions with ease.

The S206 has the same capabilities of the S205, plus backworking y-axis movement.

A Fanuc 31-iA control is standard on both models, which also can accommodate an optional ‘chucker kit’ that allows the machine to be run as a Swiss turn or fixed-headstock lathe.

The fixed-headstock configuration can use unground bar stock, eliminating bar remnants and improving part concentricity.

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Featuring a wraparound, boxway construction, Femco’s CNC lathe model HL-55/200 is designed for heavy-duty, precision turning on larger workpieces. All mating surfaces are lined with Turcite to prevent wear. The rigid, 45-degree slant-bed construction and precision components are said to ensure consistent high accuracies and quality finishes. The lathe features a two-speed ZF gearbox for maximum metal removal at lower spindle speeds. The main spindle is equipped with a 15″ chuck and can be equipped with an optional 18″ or 21″ diameter chuck. A 35-hp Fanuc motor with a maximum spindle speed of 2,500 rpm powers the spindle. The maximum turning diameter is 24.21″, and extended turning length is 71.65″ for longer workpieces. The wide, 12-station turret employs bi-directional positioning for faster indexing times. Standard accessories include a chip conveyor and a programmable tailstock.

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A new twin-pallet, horizontal machining centre from Enshu has 1.5 g acceleration in all axes, 60 m/min rapids, up to 15 m/min cutting feed rate and a BT30 13,000 rpm spindle motor

A twin-pallet, horizontal machining centre, fully configured as a new standard package for high volume production of complex components within a 500 x 350 x 300 mm working envelope, is available in the UK for demonstration at Yuasa Warwick Machinery, sole UK agent for the Japanese manufacturer, Enshu.

Designated JE30S, it is a high productivity machine with 1.5 g acceleration in all axes, 60 m/min rapids, up to 15 m/min cutting feed rate and a BT30 13,000 rpm spindle motor (20,000 optional) which reaches full speed in just 0.38 sec from a standing start.

The incorporation of an armless servo motor driven ATC and the option of broken tool detection inside the magazine contribute to the machine’s reliable production capability.

Yuasa points out that for a capital investment of a little over ?110,000, a company can acquire the cell complete with full NC B-axis (as opposed to an indexing rotary table), 30-tool magazine, through-tool coolant, and a comprehensive swarf management system including bed wash, ceiling-mounted coolant nozzles and back wash coolant pumps.

There are no extras to pay for and the machine is ready to run 24/7 immediately following installation, as initial programs will usually have been written by Yuasa applications engineers as part of the sale.

The machine meets Enshu’s 5,000 hours mean-time-between-failure reliability standard, as do all the manufacturer’s latest models.

Measures have been taken to minimise operational power consumption, which is now 30 per cent lower than for previous machines.

The JE30S is also available in single-pallet version as well as in line-transfer format for production line applications.

The latter has dictated that all axis movements are on the column, supported on recirculating rolling element linear bearings.

Ballscrew expansion compensation is available as an option.

There is a choice of CNC system - either Yaskawa or Fanuc 21 iM.

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Since their introduction, a series of two axis turning machines have rapidly established a reputation for advanced technology and high performance combined with exceptional value.

Since their introduction, the Mazak Nexus series of two axis turning machines and vertical machining centres have rapidly established a reputation for advanced technology and high performance combined with exceptional value.

At EMO 2003, four new Nexus machines were introduced bringing the complete Nexus range to 19 different models.

The new machines are the Quick Turn Nexus 250MS, the Quick Turn Nexus 350M, a Vertical Centre Nexus 510C-HS and the Horizontal Centre Nexus designated the HCN 6000.

Also featured are two established models, the Quick Turn Nexus 100 and the Vertical Centre Nexus 410A.

New Nexus turning machines: following the successful launch of its Nexus turning machines, Mazak has expanded the range with the introduction of the Quick Turn Nexus 350M and the Quick Turn Nexus 250MS.

The new Quick Turn Nexus 350M has three axes and a milling function while the smaller Quick Turn Nexus 250MS will be demonstrated making use of its second spindle in addition to its rotary tools.

Rotary tools can be mounted on all positions of the 12 drum turret for highly efficient machining.

The quick change format of tool holder can be loaded or unloaded by a single turn of a wrench for minimised set-up times.

The machines also feature a small footprint combined with a large machining envelope.

Quick Turn Nexus 350 M: * Maximum machining diameter - 420mm.

* Maximum machining length - 603/1173mm.

* Bar work capacity - 102mm.

* Spindle - 30kW: 3,300 rev/min.

* Chuck size - 12in.

Quick Turn Nexus 250 MS: * Maximum machining diameter - 350mm.

* Maximum machining length - 475/985mm.

* Bar work capacity - 77mm.

* Spindle - 26kW: 4,000 rev/min.

* Chuck size - 10in.

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Following a value engineering exercise carried out by lathe builder’s design team, models offer infinitely variable spindle speeds using constant power AC inverter electronic spindle.

Following the resurgence in international demand for its manual centre lathe range and the resulting value engineering exercise carried out by Colchester Lathe design and production engineering team, the Colchester Sales operation is now able to offer the newly developed variable speed Master and Triumph VS centre lathes at GBP 11,950 and GBP 12,750 respectively.

Providing outstanding value for money, both machines feature an AC inverter 7.5kW electronic spindle drive giving constant power, through three infinitely variable ranges.

There is also a constant surface speed option which gives improved surface finish capability and shortened facing-off cycles.

Each machine uses a heavy duty construction with a wide bed and triangular webs to provide high torsional stiffness and stability.

Slideways are coated with ‘Moglice’ PTFE low friction linings for longer life and reduced ’stick-slip’.

The Master has a 350mm swing and 650mm between centres capacity with 17 to 3,250 revs/min speed range and No 4 taper tailstock.

Meanwhile, the larger Triumph has a 400mm swing with 1250mm between centres.

Its speed range is between 14 and 2,500 revs/min with a No 5 tailstock taper

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Range of universal CNC production lathes offer reduction in non-cutting times of up to 25%, higher productivity and a choice of three of the latest CNC systems - Siemens, Heidenhain or Fanuc.

The world premieres CTX 410 and CTX 510 in a new design round off the successful CTX 10 Series of universal lathes and set new standards in universal turning.

Compared with competitive products they offer a bargain price worldwide for a technology of the future.

With the world premieres CTX 410 und CTX 510 the CTX 10 Series now shines forth over the complete range of diameters with a superior standard in a new design, and in addition offers extra performance at a bargain price.

The use of high-tech components promises reductions in non-productive times of up to 25% and therefore a correspondingly higher productivity and economic efficiency.

Examples are the integrated spindle motor delivering a drive power of 21kW (CTX 410) and 31kW (CTX 510) and the fast twelve-tool power turret with max.

change times of 0.1 seconds.

In addition, the CTX 410 and the CTX 510 have also settled on three open-loop controllers including high-tech software on their triumphant progress through the world markets.

The customer can choose from the CNC models Siemens 840D with the latest ShopTurn 3D programming software, the Heidenhain IT with DINPlus (optional TurnPlus), or the Fanuc 21i TB with ManualGuide.

All CNC systems function with superior 3D graphics that in conjunction with the optimal swing-out operator panel enhance ease of operation and deliver yet another decisive competitive advantage.

In other words, the machines from the new CTX 10 Series offer the decisive advantage of economic efficiency at the lowest price.

This bargain price was achieved on the one hand with efficient production methods, like the assembly line.

On the other hand, Gildemeister is concentrating on a clearly defined standard for machine variants (optionally with fixed or power tools) and options.

All machines of the CTX 10 Series are also available in optional space green metallic, to underscore all the more the future potential of these innovations.

The machines of the CTX 20 linear Series dominate on their part with linear drives of high dynamic response, 3D high-speed controllers in the DMG ControlPanel with 15″ TFT screen, and extensive expansion stages up to counter-spindle variants with power tools and y axes for the high-end universal lathe.

Highlight s of the CTX 10 Series: * Integrated spindle motor for CTX 410 / 510.

* Fast VDI turret with short tool change times (0.1 seconds) with twelve tooling stations.

* Power tools in all stations (optional).

* High-tech controllers and ultra modern software: Siemens 840D with new software ShopTurn 6.4, Heidenhain IT with DINPlus or Fanuc 21i TB with ManualGuide i.

* 3D software for optimal ease of operation.

* Optimal swing-out operator panel.

* High rapid traverse speeds for short positioning times.

* New design! Now available in space green metallic as well.

* Bargain pricing.

Specifications CTX 310: * Swing over bed - 330mm.

* Turning diameter - 200mm.

* Turning length - 420mm.

* Spindle bore - 51mm diameter.

* Chuck diameter - 170 / 210mm.

* Drive power (cont.

duty) - 7.5kW.

* Speed range - 20 - 5,000 rev/min.

* Tailstock traverse - 400mm.

* Tool adaptor - VDI 30.

Specifications CTX 410: * Swing over bed - 530mm * Turning diameter - 320mm.

* Turning length - 600mm.

* Spindle bore - 65 / 75 (optional).

* Chuck diameter - 200 / 250mm.

* Drive power (cont.

duty) - 21kW.

* Speed range - 25 - 5,000 rev/min.

* Tailstock traverse - 580mm.

* Tool adaptor - VDI 30.

Specifications CTX 510: * Swing over bed - 680mm.

* Turning diameter - 465mm.

* Turning length - 1000mm.

* Spindle bore - 75 / 90mm.

* Chuck diameter - 250 / 315mm.

* Drive power (cont.

duty) - 31kW.

* Speed range - 20 - 3,500 rev/min.

* Tailstock traverse - 850mm.

* Tool adaptor - VDI 40.

Also the CTX 410 offers more performance and presents itself in a new space green metallic look.

Specifying machine variants and options in accordance with a clearly defined standard forces down the prices for the new CTX 10 Series.

The integrated spindle motor is only one of the high-tech components of the new CTX 10 Series.

The fast power turret reduces non-productive times by up to 25%.

Unique in this machine category - the optimal swing-out operator panel.

Highlights of the Siemens 840D: * Manual guide i software as standard.

* 3D graphics.

* 3D tool passes.

* Dual check safety.

* Parts program memory 512kB.

* Tool life monitor.

Highlights of the Heidenhain IT: * DINPlus, TurnPlus software (option).

* Graphical programming.

* Parts program memory > 1GB.

* Tool file with 512 tools and 64 materials.

* Tool life monitor.

Highlights of the Fanuc 21i : * 3D graphics.

* 3D real-time simulations.

* ‘Traffic light’ diagnostics for all drives.

* Integrated safety technology.

* New, lean screen design.

The new CTX 10 Series has settled on three open-loop controllers incl.

high-tech software on its triumphant progress through the world markets.

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Touchscreen-programmable machining brings even more user-benefits and upgraded technology to make an electronic lathe the most straightforward and easy-to-use in the world.

Leading British lathe manufacturer, Harrison, has launched the Alpha 350T (Touchscreen) electronic lathe, bringing even more user-benefits and upgraded technology to its highly successful Alpha ‘T’ range.

Hailed as the most straightforward and easy-to-use electronic lathe in the world, the new Alpha 350T has an increased swing of 350mm, compared with the previous entry model (Alpha 330T), and a highly impressive 250 per cent expansion in controller memory.

Further advancements include an automatic, three-range, variable-speed headstock, while the 350T’s uprated drive train, running on ultra high load-bearing capacity Gamet bearings, substantially increases cutting performance.

The Alpha 350T takes the widely-recognised hallmarks of the popular Alpha T range - affordability, ease of operation and versatility - to a new level of excellence, while retaining its core benefits.

All Harrison Alpha T lathes are designed to appeal to a wide variety of applications and users, for example, sub-contractors, toolrooms, mould and die facilities, Research and Development operations and education/training establishments.

They offer users - especially those wishing to replace traditional centre lathe machinery - the flexibility of both fully automatic cycles and manual operations.

One of the keys to the appeal of the Alpha T range is the menu-driven Fanuc touchscreen control that uses ’shop-floor’ symbols and logical step-by-step instructions to access a comprehensive range of functions.

These include: automatic internal and external parallel/taper roughing and finishing box cycles, as well as left- and right-hand single and multistart threads (including Acme, DP and MOD).

Complex contours and repetitive cycles can also be performed, while each tool has its own independent constant surface speed function.

As well as being extremely simple to operate, the new Alpha 350T has another important advantage over its rivals, with all machine controls ergonomically mounted on a single operator’s console, so that the operator can see the controls, tools, workpiece and cutting area all in a single line-of- sight.

On-screen self-diagnostic messages in plain language are conveyed instantly to the operator thanks to the Intelligent Help Diagnostic System (IHDS) developed specially by Harrison for lathes such as the Alpha T range.

A separate diagnostic LED array is also incorporated.

With the introduction of the 350T, the full Alpha T model line-up now comprises: Alpha 350T (350mm swing x 650mm bed); Alpha 400T (400mm swing x 1.25m bed); Alpha 460T (460mm swing x 1.5m bed) and Alpha 550T (550mm swing x 2m bed).

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