MACH Proves Better Than On YouTube

2 May 2012

MACH 2012 proved extremely fruitful for Tornos UK with the sale of a Tornos Gamma 20/6B sliding head turning centre to Hi-Spec Precision Engineering Ltd on the first day of the show. The most unbelievable aspect of the acquisition is that the Director and decision maker at Hi-Spec, Mr Darren Grainger had only previously seen footage of the Gamma on video streaming website YouTube. The week continued to get better for Tornos as its MultiSwiss multi-spindle turning centre won the prestigious MWP award for the 'Best Turning Centre'.

The Tornos stand was a hive of activity throughout MACH, as the ingenious new MultiSwiss 6X14 six spindle turning centre generated significant enquiry levels from sliding head machine shops. The major plus point for the MultiSwiss at MACH was the relatively small footprint versus the productivity output; as the footprint is equal to one sliding head machines with the productivity of 5 machines. Globally launched at EMO 2011, the MultiSwiss had a successful UK exhibition debut. As Tornos' first numerical sliding headstock multi-spindle machine, the MultiSwiss is based on a ‘fully integrated’ concept that is aimed at users of multi-spindle turning machines, cam-operated machines and users of single-spindle turning machines; all sectors that showed interest at MACH.

Also receiving its UK exhibition debut at MACH was the Sigma 32/6 CNC sliding head turning centre. The exceptional new 32mm capacity turning centre is a 6 linear axis turning centre that has a perfect synergy between main and counter spindles with mirror image kinematics and identical rigidity and spindles in main and counter operations. This design ensures it is no longer necessary to favour machining operations on the main spindle, this optimises the quality and machining autonomy of the machine. With counter-operations having over 3 times more rigidity than competitor machines, profitability is 30% higher for parts where the machining operations are well balanced between main and counter operations.

The heavy duty machine construction provides both spindles with impeccable surface finishes, accuracy and consistency. These attributes make the Sigma 32, the only Swiss type sliding headstock machine capable of producing parts with the machining parameters of a fixed headstock machine. To further enhance productivity, the Sigma has an independent roughing tool that makes it possible to have up to 3 tools cutting simultaneously.

Whilst both machines won plaudits at MACH 2012, it was the Gamma 20 series that stole the show for Tornos. As an 'entry level' machine for new users of sliding head technology, the Gamma 20 Series offers capabilities and specifications that far outweighing the benefits of competitor machines in a similar price bracket. Developed for machining relatively complex components by perfectly combining productivity and flexibility into a cost effective solution, its no surprise that the Gamma was such a success at MACH.

Tornos sold a number of Gamma machines at the show whilst witnessing an extremely high level of quality enquiries for the Sigma 32 and MultiSwiss. As for Hi-Spec, the Rutland based manufacturer was in the market for a sliding head turning centre and had previously reviewed alternate machines. However, the guide bushless operation, large working envelope, in-built High Pressure Coolant and user friendly platform were major factors in the purchase of its Gamma 20/6. As a manufacturer of hydraulic valve and cylinder components in batches from 1000 to 3000, the Tornos Gamma was an ideal match for Hi-Spec.