BAR MAGAZINE UPGRADE INCREASES PRODUCTIVITY

Italian manufacturer, IEMCA, has significantly improved the performance of its popular KID 80 short bar magazine to keep pace with the higher functionality of modern CNC turning centres. Availability in the UK and Ireland is through sole agent, 1st Machine Tool Accessories, Salisbury.

The magazine is suitable for feeding stock between 5 and 80 mm in diameter and from 250 to 1,615 mm long. It integrates with fixed or sliding head CNC turning machines and is also suitable for feeding cam-operated lathes. Pre-existing attributes are simplicity of use, precise mechanical bar location and no compressed air connections. It is fast in operation, ideal for short to medium batch runs.

A notable design improvement avoids the need for the bar pusher to move during component transfer between the main and sub spindles. Most short magazines have to check the position of the material in the spindle during transfer, so the lathe has to decelerate the spindle, increasing non-cutting time. Productivity is therefore higher with the KID 80 IV during single-hit machining of components requiring two operations, one at each end.

A further innovation is the ability to load a new bar while the last part is being machined, reducing changeover time, and it is possible to feed into position without a bar stop. A new quick-change connection system eliminates the need to use tools when changing the bar pusher, reducing set-up times even further.

Other new features of the KID 80 IV include an increase in rack capacity from 250 kg to 400 kg, greatly extending production output during unattended running. The software in the Siemens control has also been improved and a 7-inch touch screen fitted for ease of setting and operation.

A video showing the new bar magazine in operation may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bg8piIz-BdI