The second generation of the successful Index G200 turn-mill centre, designed for the high-volume complete machining of components from bar or billet, has been introduced by the German manufacturer Index.

Available in the UK, Ireland and the Middle East through the Gosport-based sole agent Kingsbury (www.kingsburyuk.com), the machine offers a number of improvements; these include an increased turning length (up from 400 to 660mm), a second lower tool carrier and a higher-power milling spindle.

The machine, which offers significantly improved performance in a footprint virtually the same as its predecessor’s, achieves cycle time reductions of up to 30%.

Both lower tool turrets are arranged in mirror image and have an independent ±45mm Y axis, as well as 14 live tool stations; these are rated at 16kW (16Nm of torque) and have a maximum speed of 7,200 rev/min.

The identical main spindle and counter spindle are fluid-cooled, have a bar capacity of 65mm and a chuck diameter of 165mm. Rated at 32kW (170Nm of torque), they have a maximum speed of 6,000rev/min.

Furthermore, the upper tool carrier has a ±65mm Y axis and a 360deg B axis; and while on one side there is a tool turret with another 14 positions, on the other is an HSK-A40 milling spindle.

This is rated at 22kW (52Nm of torque) and has a maximum speed of 7,200rev/min; and for maximum productivity it is possible to use all three turrets simultaneously at either the main spindle or counter spindle — without interference (a drill in the lower turret can machine a bore in a workpiece at one spindle while the other lower turret and the upper tool carrier balance-turn the outside diameter).

The B-axis can swing the upper tool carrier so that its turret is in a horizontal orientation and move itcinto the work area up to 30mm below the spindle centreline, thereby allowing diametrically opposite tools to mill, drill or turn workpieces in both spindles simultaneously, with the front-end and reverse-end faces of components machined with straight tools rather than right-angle tool holders.

Based on the Siemens S840D sl, the Xpanel I4.0-ready operating system developed by Index offers real-time program simulation and has been designed to simplify the use of the CNC system.

An optional PC in the control cabinet allows NX CAM to run directly on the machine; this is particularly useful for applications that require extensive milling.