Starrag Group company Bumotec — represented in the UK by Birmingham-based Starrag UK Ltd (
www.starrag.com) — has introduced the s181, a cost-effective multi-function nine-axis turn-mill machining centre that is targeted at industry sectors such as medical and surgical instruments, horology and micro-mechanics.
Of particular importance is the fact that this machine features a second, live-tool workstation that sees milling at speeds up to 40,000rev/min complement the 90-position automatic tool-changer that serves the 11kW 6,000rev/min main HSK 40 spindle.
This additional station effectively doubles productivity by allowing up to five driven tools to work on the rear side of one part while the main tool spindle works on another component.
In one instance, the production of a stainless steel workpiece from 14mm-diameter bar on a modern machining centre took 389sec. On the Bumotec s181 it took just 254sec to complete the part — a productivity increase of 38%.
The s181 is derived from the Bumotec s191 linear CNC turn-mill centre, a proven solution that uses linear drives and features a high level of thermal stabilisation to achieve 2.5µm accuracies in the six-sided complete machining of workpieces.
With a footprint of just 3.5m2, the s181 accommodates bar up to 32mm in diameter; and being of a modular design it can be equipped with a range of productivity-enhancing options.
While the s181’s development was focused on the efficient production of medical, orthopaedic and dental components, as well as surgical instruments, it will be equally at home in all micro-mechanic industry sectors including watchmaking and jewellery.