Automatic Lathe Features Front-Working Attachment

The Traub TNL31-11 automatic lathe available from Index features a front-working attachment on an additional cross-slide moving in the X and Z axes, providing freely positionable tools. The company says as many as three tools can be used simultaneously and independently of each other. The front-working attachment features a CNC circular axis and is available with eight additional toolstations, four for mounting fixed tools and four for live tools.

The interpolation of the rotary axis with the X and C axis of the main spindle enables the front-working attachment to also be used in the Y direction, using an interpolated Y axis. According to the company, when a drilling tool needs to be corrected to exact center, the necessary corrections can be performed via the CNC controller. Other features of the front-working attachment include output ranging to 3.4 kW and a maximum speed of 12,000 rpm, and the attachment can also be used as a tailstock when producing long components.

The 11-axis machine features a headstock moving in the Z axis, an upper and identical lower turret with X, Y and Z axes, and a counterspindle movable in the X and Z directions. The long Z travel of the headstock enables sliding or fixed headstock turning in less than 15 min., the company says.

A “Dual Drive” feature consists of two drive trains integrated in one turret, designed to reduce non-machining time. According to the company, while one tool is in use, the tool intended for the next work step can be accelerated up to the desired speed and is immediately available at full speed after the turret indexing operation. The company says that lower acceleration values reduce tool wear, and with live tools, chip-to-chip times are as low as 0.3 sec.