The latest innovation from Tornos to support its sliding headstock lathe customers is the pneumatic unloading system for the Swiss DT26 machines.

For long and fragile workpieces with delicate features such as a fragile thread, the standard long-part system on the Swiss DT and Swiss GT sliding head machines may not provide the careful handling of the part required by the end-user.

For components that have a diameter up to 24mm and a maximum length of 260mm, Tornos has designed an automated solution that enables parts to be carefully removed after machining.

Tornos engineers are able to develop special solutions to meet the demands of customers, regardless of the machine model. Such solutions are not restricted to sliding head lathes and bar turning applications but can also be developed for milling, automation and robot-automated purposes.

Designed to unload workpieces without damage to the machined features and to preserve the excellent surface finish achieved by the Swiss DT26 machine, this particular system can solve various problems related to fragile workpieces. Mounted on the tooling block for back machining, it does not impair the possibility of using the T510 and T520 tools.

Endless possibilities
Ejection is done pneumatically by using clamping jaws adapted to the respective workpiece type and material to ensure no damage can occur. The jaws can be manufactured using a 3-D printer and can be customised to the workpiece form to be machined, allowing for endless possibilities.

It is also equipped with sensors used to monitor the machine movements and to provide optimum protection of the device and avoids interference with the counter-spindle of the machine.

With the addition of this system, a machine can be kept up-to-date and in conformance with customer component requirements, while employing only minor modifications. Existing machines can be easily retrofitted with this function and the appropriate software loaded into the machine control.

The unloading system is used in conjunction with the standard parts conveyor belt of the machine but can be supplemented by the addition of a robot for workpiece palletising or even workpiece cleaning and measuring functions. Based on the measured data, it is also possible to update offset values on the machine automatically.

It offers numerous enhancement options for sliding head lathes and Tornos’ other bar turning and milling products. New and existing customers are encouraged to discuss their individual needs with the Tornos team.