One Turret, Two Drives, Zero Time Loss

The Traub TNL32P or TNL32 turn/mill centers include several new features that set new standards for sliding/fixed headstock machining, including an even larger workspace, ten-station turrets, higher performance data and the “dual drive,” which is a turret, with two integrated drivetrains that reduces secondary processing times

The TRAUB TNL is best used where both simple, small and geometrically highly complex parts, such as medical, hydraulics and the automotive industry, are machined with a maximum bar clearance of 32 mm.

It takes a few steps to convert the lathe with sliding headstock to fixed headstock turning mode and back again. The long Z travel of the headstock ensures proper positioning of the main spindle, either for sliding headstock turning or fixed headstock turning, the company says.

Turret indexing is performed using an NC rotary axis that controls movement via an internally meshing planetary gear. This allows the turret to be indexed to any preferred position without a mechanical locking mechanism being necessary. The free positioning of the turret makes multiple-tool assignment possible on each station so that the top tool carrier can be equipped with as many as 30 tools. Since mechanical locking is no longer necessary, chip-to-chip times for live tools are in the 0.3 sec range.

This drive solution, with two separate drivetrains in one turret, reduces the auxiliary processing times and also keeps the cycle times to a minimum. The ingeniously simple idea: While one tool is in use, the tool intended for the next work step can be accelerated up to the desired speed during main time and is immediately available at full speed after the turret indexing operation.

Jerky accelerations and delays that were previously unavoidable when reducing auxiliary processing times are now a thing of the past, saving cycle time, the company says. In addition, the user benefits specifically from the fact that toolholder wear is reduced because of the low acceleration values.