The VT 4-4 is a 4-axis shaft turning machine for workpieces of a length up to 41 inches and a diameter of max. 8 inches.
4-axis machining of large batches of gear shafts
The machine is loaded and unloaded simultaneously with grippers located in the two turrets. The workpieces are transported on conveyor belts located on the left and right of the machine.
According to a recent study by Roland-Berger, the automotive supplier industry will grow at a rate of approximately six percent in the next two years with competition intensifying. To gain an advantage, manufacturers must take a close look at the profitability of production sites. Component production must become faster, deliver high precision and show a greater degree of economic viability. "EMAG's production solution is the VT 4-4 vertical lathe that delivers top efficiency levels in large volume gearbox production," said a company spokesperson.
For a number of reasons, the production of drive and gear shafts represents a very specific key task in the manufacture of automobiles. For one, many of their components are of a very detailed and highly complex geometry, on which so much depends. For instance, high-precision gearings ensure a highly effective torque transmission within the gearbox. Having high-precision shoulders and grooves allows for the safe connectivity of components. The efficiency of the powertrain as a whole depends to a large degree on the functionality of their shafts. These highly complex components are produced in batches of millions and on completion of the central turning work the shaft should ideally display a geometry that is as close to its final contour as possible. Tolerance production planners look for the micrometer range of the shaft.
"To reconcile these high-performance requirements the turning specialists at EMAG have developed the 4-axis VT 4-4 vertical shaft turning machine," said the spokesperson. "It opens up new potential in the machining of components with a maximum length of 41 inches and a maximum diameter of 8 inches with the following advantages:
- Simultaneous: Machining is carried out in 4 axes at a maximum speed of 4,500 RPM. The process employs two turrets with twelve tool stations each, equipped with turning tools or driven tools, with one station reserved for the gripper.
- Automated: Workpiece grippers move the raw-parts to the machining area and remove the finished components, i.e. one gripper inserts a new raw-part into the machine while the other gripper removes the finished component from it."
"This principle offers a great step up in performance in the production of shafts, especially in an environment that deals with large component volumes," said Dr. Guido Hegener, Managing Director of EMAG Maschinenfabrik GmbH. "Due to the fast workpiece changeovers and powerful machining with four axes, cycle times are very short. Together with the integrated automation system, the process ensures that unit costs are kept to a minimum." In its standard model, the machine is equipped with two space-saving, recirculating conveyors that accommodate up to 28 raw-parts and 28 finished components respectively. Transfer and turnover units or robots mean that a number of VT machines can be linked.
The machine base is made of the polymer concrete MINERALIT. "It carries all technology modules: the work spindle, turrets and the tailstock. Its rigid, vibration resistant construction guarantees an equally vibration resistant turning process for accurate part geometries. EMAG's typical vertical alignment of the workpiece also guarantees constant process integrity, as the unhindered chip flow it offers prevents the accumulation of chips in the machining area," said the spokesperson.
"We have also attached great importance to the ease of operation of these machines," said Hegener. "All relevant components, from electrics to hydraulics, including the cooling system, are very easy to access with the user interface being of an intuitive, clearly laid out design."
The VT 4-4 opens up a wide range of possibilities for the production planner in gearbox manufacturing. Use of the machine is made even more economical by its compact design, with the vertical alignment taking up very little space. There is also no necessity for additional automation, as this is already an integrated part of the machine.
Technical Data VT 4-4
- Chuck diameter: 10 inch
- Workpiece diameter, max.: 8 inch
- Workpiece length, max.: 41 inch
- Travel in X: 15.5 inch
- Travel in Z: 48.5 inch
- Power rating main spindle at 40%/100% duty cycle: 51/39 HP
- Torque at 40%/100% duty cycle: 184/148 ft-lb.
- Speed, max.: 4,500 RPM
- Turret - tool positions: 2 x 12 Qty
- Rapid traverse speed in X/Z: 1,181/1,181 in/min
- Speed of driven tools: 9,600 RPM
For more information contact:
Peter Loetzner
EMAG LLC
38800 Grand River Avenue
Farmington Hills, MI 48335
248-477-7440
info@usa.emag.com
www.emag.com
Southwest
AR
Ken Pope
EMAG LLC
256-642-6842
kpope@emag.com
www.emag.com
TX, OK, LA
Ric Lorilla
EMAG LLC
248-595-1530
rlorilla@emag.com
Southeast
VA, NC, SC, GA, FL
David Fitzgerald
EMAG LLC
248-595-1117
TN, AL, MS
Ken Pope
EMAG LLC
256-642-6842
kpope@emag.com
www.emag.com
Northeast
PA, NY
Kirk Stewart
EMAG LLC
248-996-4703
kstewart@emag.com
ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT, NJ, DE, MD
Jonathan Chomicz
EMAG LLC
248-497-8526
jchomicz@emag.com
WV
Ken Pope
EMAG LLC
256-642-6842
kpope@emag.com
www.emag.com
Midwest
IN, OH
Kirk Stewart
EMAG LLC
248-996-4703
kstewart@emag.com
MI
Geoff Fuller
EMAG LLC
248-632-2021
gfuller@emag.com
ND, MN, WI, SD, NE, KS, IA, MO, IL
Bill Konetski
EMAG LLC
612-804-0857
bkonetski@emag.com
KY
Ken Pope
EMAG LLC
256-642-6842
kpope@emag.com
www.emag.com
West
Arnie Sugiyama
Caltec International
19801 Hamilton Ave
Torrance, CA 90502
310-527-4110
arnie@caltecusa.com