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CNC-multislide lathes are compact machines to replace older single spindle automatics for the serial production of medium-size, simple workpieces made from brass, aluminium and steel

Gildemeister Italiana (Gital)introduced six world CNC production lathes at last year's EMO 2007: two Sprint 20 linear and Sprint 50 linear Automatic Lathes; two GMC 35 linear/ISM and GMC 42 linear/ISM Multi-Spindle Machines and the MSL 42 and MSL 60 CNC Multislide Automatic Lathes. Apart from innovative additions to its core business - conventional and CNC automatic lathes - Gital said at EMO that it is very focused on its two new CNC-multislide automatic lathes.

They are the Multislide 42 with 42mm of bar capacity and the Multislide 60 for work-pieces up to 60mm in diameter.

The MSL 42 and MSL 60 CNC-Multislide Lathes are packaged as compact machines for efficient serial production of medium-size simple workpieces made from brass, aluminium and steel.

They are consequently aimed at a market sector.

in which countless older single-spindle automatic lathes are still being used worldwide.

The MSL machines possess a more convincing cost/performance ratio, when compared with older automatics, said Gital.

The MSL 42, for example, will be available in its standard version already for less than EUR 80,000.

The standard version of the MSL machines includes six CNC axes and four tool stations for simultaneous machining, as well as two compound slides.

Beyond the standard version, Gital offers an advanced version of its MSL machines, with three compound slides and a turret with an integrated pick-up spindle.

In addition, the advanced version has a greater tool capacity of up to 14 tools, as well as the possibility to utilise three of these tools for back end machining.

In combination with CNC-controlled tool adjustment units for compound slides 2 and 3 and the turret, this leads to maximum flexibility and a high level of performance, Gital told manufacturingtalk.com.

This equipment also allows internal CNC turning applications, milling applications on the Y-axis (optional) and complex turning operations for back end machining.

The Gital management in Bergamo self-confidently projects that the plant will ramp up the production volume of the MSL machine generation to more than 200 units/year in the mid-term.

* Sprint 20 linear and Sprint 50 linear - the Sprint 20 linear is aimed at the precision machining of smaller workpieces up to 20mm in diameter, while the Sprint 50 linear conveniently covers the range of applications between the Sprint 42 linear and the Sprint 65 linear, in the diameter range up to 50mm.

Main features of the Sprint 50 linear standard version include a C-axis on both spindles and three 12 tool turrets providing 36 driven tool stations.

Use of a linear motor drive in the X3-axis gives exceptional acceleration (>1G) fast rapid traverse speeds (40m/min) and the shortest available idle/job times.

* Complex machining jobs - a special feature of the Sprint 50 linear is the possibility to carry out precision machining tasks efficiently using the three interpolating turrets, combined with a total of eight linear axes, two C-axes and two additional 'virtual C-axis.

In this way, the machine offers maximum flexibility.

As far as drive technology is concerned, the Sprint 50 linear features two integrated spindle motors with a maximum power output of 15kW and 80Nm torque.

In addition, the SPRINT 50 linear features a pick-up device for completed workpieces, carried out by two pneumatic axes and a conveyor belt.

* 'New Design' and new colours - DMG has also introduced new colours - a high-quality off-white finish, with touches of shiny black.

There is also the DMG LIGHTline, which replaces a conventional indicator lamp and spans the entire length of the machine, in the area adjacent to the door, to signal the operational status of the machine in different colours.

Another striking element of the new DMG machines with the 'New Design' is better visibility into the work area, leading to greater transparency of the machining process, due to a 40% enlargement of the safety-glass viewing windows.

* GMC 35 linear/ISM and GMC 42 linear/ISM - billed as an impressive result of almost 50 years of development in the multi-spindle sector, the GMC 35 linear/ISM and GMC 42 linear/ISM machines offer guaranteed H5 precision during machining.

The six oil-cooled, electro-spindles have a power output of 15kW (at 100% duty cycle), a continually indexing spindle-drum for shorter idle times, and up to seven CNC axes per spindle position.

In total there are up to 56 controlled axes.

In addition, the machines are equipped with a Siemens 840 D powerline control, including dual processors.

Using optional linear drives in positions 4 and 5, rapid traverse speeds are up to 50m/min and accelerations up to 2G.

The machines have the DMG Programmer 3D Turning, an excellent system for the simple programming of complex machining tasks, featuring 3D simulaiton and job-time calculation.

GMC 42 linear multi-spindle machine has the following features.

* Bar diameters up to 42mm, up to 51Nm torque * Better dynamic characteristics due to faster X-, Z- and W-axis movements.

* Patented, multi-function device (optional) for tool turret, radial boring device or 90 deg boring device.

* Best precision with process-capable H5 tolerance, as well as Y-axis and tool turret.

* Two CPUs in the standard version: up to 56 controlled axes with the Siemens 840D powerline.

* Six independent, oil-cooled and independently rotating synchronous spindle motors with a drive power of 15kW (100% duty cycle).

* Up to 50m/min rapid traverse and 2G acceleration.

* Up to seven CNC axes for every spindle position.

Automation - DMG Automation systems shown at EMO 2007 included a robot loading/unloading system attached to an a Sprint 42 linear automatic lathe and a comprehensive high-end system for mass production attached to a GMC linear/ISM Series multi-spindle automatic lathe.

* About Gital - it has been almost 50 years since Gildemeister Italiana SpA developed its first multi-spindle machine in 1959.

Since then, the company has grown to become the world's largest manufacturer of conventional and CNC multi-spindle automatic lathes and CNC short and long automatic lathes.

Currently, the company has 360 employees who manufacture about 450 machines annually for the global market, generating a sales volume of about EUR 120 million.