Developed by the Swiss manufacturer LNS Group and available in the UK from Barnsley-based LNS Turbo UK Ltd (www.LNS-europe.com), the Ultra 80 is said to be more than just an evolution of the group’s Sprint range; it is “more akin to a revolution in the field of bar-feeder systems”.

It features an extremely rigid 700kg cast-mineral support beam that helps to ‘seat’ the ‘machine’ in position, while ensuring high levels of machining quality by damping vibrations generated by the rotating bar.

To make this support beam, LNS uses a patented manufacturing process.

The required inserts and metal plates are pre-positioned before ‘casting’ and are thus positioned correctly when the beam is ‘de-moulded’; indeed, the accuracy of this process is such that no re-working is required.

The complete machine weighs about two tonnes and is said to remain perfectly stable even when long bars with a diameter of 80mm and weighing over 160kg are rotating.

LNS has also incorporated a front rest system designed to minimise the number of cases where users need to change the guiding elements.

The front rest is an essential support element for the bar before it enters the lathe spindle, keeping the bar perfectly centred while accepting a wide range of bar diameters (it adjusts automatically to bars of different diameters, so the operator does not have to change the guiding elements).

This patented front rest is complementary to the company’s hydro bar principle and does not replace it.

The Human Machine Interface supplied with the ULTRA 80 has a large colour touch-screen and numerous ‘context-sensitive’ menus to guide operators through the required actions, while also providing messages and alerts with text and images.

The ULTRA 80 is available in two versions — with internal ramp or external lift.