As MACH debuts go, it could not have been better for the ST26 turning centre from Tornos UK Ltd, Coalville (www.tornos.com); Precision Aerospace Components (PACE) bought an ST26 as part of a company strategy to replace ageing sliding-head turning centres. However, this machine was not purchased just to update older technology; its ability to conduct simultaneous rough and finish machining (balance turning) with two tools will improve cycle times and component quality for the
aerospace manufacturer.

Equipped with seven linear axes and two C axes, the new ST26 accommodates workpiece diameters and lengths up to 25.4 and 220mm respectively. Both the main spindle and the counter-spindle are rated at 11kW; and with an all-up weight of 3,300kg, the machine offers high levels of precision and rigidity.

Also drawing the attention at MACH was the show debut of the EvoDeco 32, which is claimed to be the most powerful machine tool in its class, featuring a new spindle with built-in synchronous motor. This technology is a first on a sliding-head machine, having been introduced on Tornos multi-spindle machines a few years ago. The power, productivity and precision of this line generated significant interest at the show.

Completing the line-up of new machines from Tornos was the Almac CU2007 — a high-speed VMC with a work envelope of 500 x 400 x 470mm and a table capacity of 250kg. It can be equipped with HSK-E-40 tool-holders, and 24- or 40-position magazines; tool change-over takes just 0.8sec for a chip-to-chip time of less than 3sec. A tilt/rotate unit can be specified for five-axis machining.