Index has launched the new CenterMaster accessory as part of its R&D focus on streamlining the setup and changeover process for CNC multi-spindle lathes.
Index says that CenterMaster reduces the time needed to align a drill by up to 90 percent. Previously, center alignment of a drill required specialized knowledge by the operator and a challenging, manual process that could take up to 30 minutes per holder. The CenterMaster enables the user to clamps a radio dial gauge into the workspace and sets it to the quill. The gauge and machine wirelessly communicate, automatically adjusting the holder along the X axis. The system then guides the operator through adjusting the Y axis via the machine’s touchscreen display.
The CenterMaster system allows operators with no specialized knowledge or experience to set up a drill in two to three minutes. It also provides a repeatable accuracy of <5μm.
“Over the past several years, we have introduced multiple innovations to make CNC multi-spindles more flexible,” says Cris Taylor, president and CEO of Index. “We had already taken a lot of the time out of setups and changeovers via presetting and our quick clamping system with W-serration locating. CenterMaster eliminates another time-consuming aspect of setups, so that customers can truly optimize their machine utilization.”
