The automation of the bar loading process on a multi-spindle lathe with feed fingers guarantees numerous advantages, including:
Reduction of unproductive times. The need for manual intervention by the operator to load new bars into the stock reel and insert them into the feed fingers is eliminated. Interruptions during the work cycle are significantly reduced.
Reduction of overall costs. Introducing a solution to automate the multi-spindle lathe can lead to a decrease in labor and production costs.
Increased safety. Risks to operator safety are reduced and the overall application ergonomics are improved.
Ultimately, implementing automation solutions for multi-spindle lathes with feed fingers can significantly increase the efficiency and productivity of the production process.
How to Integrate the Stock Reel to Automate the Loading of a Multi-Spindle Lathe
Bar loading on a multi-spindle lathe with feed finger collets can be automated through two solutions:
1. Installation of a bar loader for the stock reel.
2. Use of an integrated bar feeder to directly feed the multi-spindle lathe.
Both types of machines can be installed on all models of multi-spindle lathes with feed fingers, old and new, whether or not they are pre-arranged for their use.
The choice between the two options depends on the specific characteristics of the application, including the type of multi-spindle lathe, the organization of the production process, the management of space in the workshop and the level of economic investment that one is willing to make.
1. Bar Loader for Feeding the Stock Reel of a Multi-Spindle Lathe
The use of a bar loader - such as the IEMCA PRA solution - allows automating the loading of the stock reel alongside the multi-spindle lathe with feed fingers, eliminating the need for manual intervention by the operator.
The bar loader has a single guide channel to feed the stock reel. It is available with bundle or multi rack bar magazines to ensure high autonomy of bars onboard the machine.
Adding a bar loader represents the first step towards automating the feeding process of a multi-spindle lathe with feed finger collets and ensures its benefits in terms of cost reduction and increased productivity.
2. Integrated Bar Feeder for Direct Feeding of a Multi-Spindle Lathe
An integrated bar feeder such as IEMCA NEXT allows for a further step in the automation process: it replaces both the bar loader and stock reel.
The integrated bar feeder significantly reduces the space occupied in the workshop: the footprint is indeed smaller than the solution that includes the bar loader and stock reel, freeing up useful space to increase the overall machine park.
The integrated bar feeder features as many guide channels as there are spindles on the lathe: internal lubrication and damping material allow extremely high rotation speeds to be reached.
The guide channels are also circular section, completely closed, and perfectly sized to the machined diameter: combined with the use of equally optimized spindle reductions, they guarantee extremely precise bar guidance, with a significant reduction in vibrations during machining.
Why Automate the Feeding of a Multi-Spindle Lathe with Feed Fingers
Automating the bar loading process on a multi-spindle lathe with feed fingers can be done by using a bar loader alongside the stock reel or by installing an integrated bar feeder to replace both.
The two solutions offer some distinct advantages: a bar loader like IEMCA PRA has relatively simpler technology and ensures high autonomy of bars onboard the machine.
An integrated bar feeder, such as models from the IEMCA NEXT range, offers a higher level of automation. The multi-spindle lathe with feed fingers is directly fed, without the use of a stock reel: the reduced and compact footprint of the integrated bar feeder allows for gaining useful space in the workshop.
It is also equipped with guide channels and spindle reductions designed to best adapt to the machined bar and obtain maximum productive performance from the multi-spindle lathe, through high rotation speeds, vibration reduction, and precision in bar management.
Whichever the choice, automating the feeding process of a multi-spindle lathe with feed fingers ensures an immediate increase in productivity. Contact us now to evaluate the solution that best suits your production needs.
Your Multi-Spindle Lathe is Not Equipped With Feed Fingers?
IEMCA offers automated solutions for multi-spindle lathes of all types.
If your multi-spindle lathe is not equipped with an autonomous bar feeding system, therefore does not provide for the use of feed fingers, the IEMCA SIR range of integrated bar feeders is the ideal solution for your workshop.
IEMCA SIR allows automating the loading of bars on a multi-spindle lathe without feed fingers and is able to handle the recovery of the bar remnant at the end of machining.
Contact us now to define together the best solution to automate your multi-spindle lathe.
