Low-frequency vibration (LFV) machining technology will be a key theme at Citizen Machinery UK’s annual Open House, being held at the company’s UK headquarters in Bushey 16-18 October.

This event will see 16 machines on display and will include the UK launch of the LFV versions of the Citizen Cincom L32-VlllLFV sliding-head turn-mill centre and the Miyano BNA-42GTYLFV sliding-headstock turning centre.

Citizen will also be demonstrating five-axis machining technology on the latest Cincom D25-Vlll sliding-head turn-mill centre, using the latest Mitsubishi 800 — a true five-axis simultaneous machining control platform combined with Citizen’s Cincom operating system.

As part of Citizen’s progressive introduction of the patented LFV technology across its range of Citizen and Miyano machines, the L32-VlllLFV and Miyano BNA-42GTYLFV’s — larger-capacity machines from both brands — now benefit from programmable control of chip size.

It is selectable at the machine control to provide rapid oscillation of the cutting tool, creating — in effect — precise air gaps in synchronisation with the rotation of the machine spindle.

To maintain machining integrity when using LFV for turning, drilling, grooving and even thread-cutting a wide range of materials has |necessitated upgrading these machines’ overall rigidity, vibration damping and drive systems.

The Citizen L32-VlllLFV with 38mm bar size option and removable guide bush can carry up to 30 tools, according to specification: six for gang turning, four to six gang driven, four to nine for front drilling and between five and 11 for back drilling.

Both the main spindle (7.5kW) and the sub-spindle (3.7kW) have 8,000rev/min motors with 1kW driven tools with 6,000rev/min motors. Rapid traverse rates are fast — 32m/min.

A further 18 companies will be supporting the Open House event, covering CAD/CAM, tooling, quality and inspection, materials and machine accessories. Lunch will be provided each day; and on Wednesday 17 October the event will remain open until 21.30 for the traditional Citizen Curry Evening.

While Citizen Machinery UK has issued an open invitation to all, in order to help with catering, those wishing to attend are asked to register on-line at (www.citizenmachinery.co.uk/open.house.event) or phone: 01923 691500.