Modern
Automatic
Cutting-Off
Machines

Modern Cutting-Off Machines are single-spindle, lathe-type machines designed for production cutting-to-length of round tubing, pipe and solid bar stock. Stock is fed through the spindle to a stop which gages the cut length, then held by a collet and rotated while being cut off with tools mounted on cross slides. Parts have square cut ends with minimum burr. Multiple cross slides permit deburring or chamfering the O.D. of both ends while cutting off. Any type of material that can be turned with standard tooling can be cut off.

Modern Lathe-Type Automatic Cutting-Off Machines are operated by air cylinders actuated by limit switches and solenoid valves. The machines are equipped with live feed rolls that feed stock through the spindle to an adjustable stop. When lengths of stock are loaded between the feed rolls, the machine cycles automatically. Maximum rigidity is achieved by attaching all moving parts to a heavy cast iron body which is bolted solidly to a structural steel base. The broad range of spindle speeds, combined with heavy duty cross slides, rigid design and cutting close to the collet, permit using higher surface cutting speeds and tool feeds, which results in higher production. Carbide or cast alloy tooling can also be used, where applicable, for increased productivity.

Use of standard lathe-type cut-off blades produces square cut ends, accurate lengths and minimum burr. As machines are equipped with multiple cross slides, the O.D. of both ends can be deburred or chamfered while cutting off. Machines can also be equipped to cut off with roller cutters for cutting lighter wall tubing where square end finish is not required.

Ease of set up and quick changeover provides for efficiency on short runs as well as long runs. Tools can be replaced or changed without disturbing the setup of other tools.

Special tooling, slides, or attachments are available for turning, forming or grooving the O.D. at the ends, or the deburring, chamfering, boring or grooving the l.D. of one end of tubing.

SPECIFICATIONS

· SIMPLE DESIGN - all moving parts are attached directly to a heavy main body casting which is bolted solidly to the fabricated steel base.

· ONE SECOND INDEX TIME for cut-off lengths up to 6 inches.

· FAST SET-UP - change from one diameter to another in 15-20 minutes - length only 2-3 minutes.

· VERY LOW PRODUCTION COSTS

· 16 SPINDLE SPEEDS - in geometric ratios.

· CIRCULATING OIL SYSTEM - lubricates all spindle bearings.

· CROSS SLIDE ADJUSTMENTS - all cams and working parts are outside for quick and easy adjustment.

· AMPLE SPEED AND RIGIDITY for carbide tooling.

· TOOL CHANGE - any tool can be changed without disturbing set-up of other tools.

· FEED ROLLS HANDLE ALL SIZE STOCK within machine capacities.

· CHIP PAN REMOVAL - slides out for easy cleaning.

· NO THRUST ON MAIN SPINDLE BEARINGS - ball thrust bearings take all collet thrust - there is no thrust on main taper roller bearings.

· ACCURATE CUT-OFF LENGTHS with micrometer adjustable stop for cut-off tolerance ± .005".

· UPDATED CONTROLS - including programmable controllers and machine diagnostics.

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Standard Equipment

Cross Slides
Machines are equipped with two cross slides bolted solidly to the main body casting. Normally one cross slide is used to cut off and the other cross slide is used to deburr, chamfer, or plunge turn the O.D. while cutting off. The cross slides are fed by cams mounted on a rocker arm actuated by an air-hydraulic cylinder. When cutting heavy wall tubing or solid bar stock using high speed tools, both cross slides can be used for cutting off for the advantage of two tools cutting. (When using carbide tools, there is no advantage to cutting with two tools.)

Double Air-Hydraulic Cylinder
A double air-hydraulic cylinder operates the cutting cycle of the machine. The lower, or working cylinder, feeds the cross slides, and the upper or storage cylinder returns the cross slides. Each cylinder has air on one side of the piston and hydraulic oil on the other side. The cylinders are mounted on a common head which controls the speed of the cylinders by a check valve and a regulating needle valve.

These controls provide for fast feed to the stock and adjustable controlled feed through the needle valve for cutting off. The cross slides are returned by the storage cylinder with the oil flowing through the check valve for quick return.

Coolant Pump and Piping

The machine is equipped with a tank for coolant and a circulating pump and piping. The coolant tank is removable for cleaning.

Spindle and Collet Closing Mechanism

The spindle is made of seamless steel tubing ground on the O.D. It is mounted on roller bearings in the main body casting. The collet closing mechanism consists of two housings with ball thrust bearings mounted on the spindle. The rear housing is threaded on the spindle to permit adjustment of the collet opening. The front housing slides on the spindle actuating the hardened inner tube that closes the collet. The front housing is actuated by an air cylinder attached to arms mounted on the two housings. The pressure for closing the collet and holding stock is transmitted through the ball thrust bearings and not through the roller bearings on which the spindle rotates.

(Click the image for a close-up)

(1) Collet. (2) Inner tube. (3) Collet holder. (4) Front taper roller bearing. (5) Thrust pin. (6) Front outer ball bearing housing assembly, with bearing and front thrust ring. (7) Rear outer ball bearing housing assembly. (8) Rear taper roller bearing. (9) Collet cylinder arms. (10) Collet operating cylinder.

Automatic Oil Lubrication of Main Spindle Bearings

A pump operated by a linkage from the feed assembly continuously circulates oil through the main spindle bearings. The amount of lubrication is metered by sight gauges which also permit the operator to check on operation of the lubrication system. It is a closed system, recirculating the oil for economic performance.

16-Speed Spindle Drive

The spindle is driven by quick-change motor pulleys and positive drive belts. A special tapered motor bushing is mounted on the main drive motor shaft for the quick-change pulleys. The high range of eight spindle speeds uses a single

belt direct from the motor to the spindle. The low range of eight spindle speeds uses two belts, one from the motor to a backshaft, and the other from the backshaft to the spindle.

The same quick-change motor pulleys are used for both speed ranges.

Collet and Guide Tube

The collet used in automatic machines is a double-tapered segmented collet. As the collet holder and inner tube have matching tapers, the collet closes straight down, gripping the stock by the full width of the collet. The closing assembly can be adjusted so the collet will open approximately 7/32" over the stock size to allow distorted or burred ends to feed through. The collet closes approximately 5/64" under the stock size to grip undersize stock and compensate for collet wear. We recommend a collet for each stock size. Guide tubes are mounted inside the spindle to guide the stock through the spindle and into the collet. One collet and one guide tube is furnished with the machine.

Roller Feed

The feed assembly is mounted on the body casting just behind the spindle. Continuously running feed rolls, driven by a separate motor, close on the stock when the collet opens, feeding it through the spindle to the stop. When the stock strikes the stop, the machine is cycled, closing the collet, opening the feed rolls and feeding in the cross slides.

Stock Stop
The cut-length is gauged by a stop assembly mounted on two overhead shafts. It is easily moved for quick change of cut-lengths. Fine adjustment of the cut-length is made by an adjusting screw graduated in thousandths. A tolerance of + .005 can be held on the cut-length under normal operating conditions. The stop is air operated and retracts to clear stock while it is being cut off allowing the cut-pieces to drop free. As the cut off cycle is actuated by the stock striking the stop, almost any length piece can be cut-off.

Stop support shafts for cut-lengths up to two feet are furnished as standard equipment. Longer stop sup-port shafts can be furnished for cut-lengths over two feet. One stop support stand is furnished with the machine. Additional supports may be required for longer stop support shafts.


When the machine is equipped with stop support shafts for cut off lengths over two feet, the machine must also be equipped with a steady rest to support the longer cut.lengths. (See Optional Equipment below.)

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Special Applications

Shown here are typical parts produced on a Modern Lathe-Type Cutting-Off Machine. With special tooling, parts can be formed, grooved, flanged or chamfered in a single operation - at a high rate of speed - while being cut to length. Special slides permit, within limits, some turning on the O.D. at the ends or chamfering or boring of the I.D. on one end only.

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Optional Equipment

A third slide is available when deburring or chamfering operations are desired on the O.D. of both ends of the workpiece when both standard slides are in use for cutting. This slide can also be used for light plunge forming.

2. Swinging Chamfering Arm

For chamfering or deburring the O.D. and I.D. of one end of a tube only, this replaces the rear slide. It can be ordered with the machine, instead of the standard rear slide, or for machines already in the field.

3. Roller Cutter Holder

For higher production (up to 3/16" wall tubing) when square cut ends are not required, a roller cutter holder is used and accommodates a 7" roller cut-off wheel.

4. Steady Rest and Ejector

This optional attachment supports and ejects cut-off pieces over 2 feet and is available for all models of automatic machines.

Cut-off lengths over 5" are supported by the roller steady rest when grooving or forming. This support minimizes the cut-off tip on solid stock. It is complete with holding cylinder.

6. Combination Cut-Off Tool Holder and I.D. Chamfering Attachment

For deburring the I.D. of one end only, this attachment mounts on the front cross slide and is interchangeable with the standard tool holder bracket. The front cross slide can be used for cutting off. After the cut-off is completed the chamfering arm swings in to deburr or chamfer the I.D. The rear cross slide can be used to cut-off, chamfer or plunge turn the O.D. and the third slide may be used when the front slide is equipped with this attachment.

7. Swing Position Steady Rest and Ejector

"V"'s support stock during cut-off and turning. When cut is completed, as cross slides are retracted, "V"'s swing out from the spindle, and down so the part clears slides. "V"'s then rotate, ejecting the cut part, which drops onto users material handling equipment. The steady rest can be equipped to separate remnant ends from cut-to-length parts when the machine is equipped with a bar feeder. Index time for the steady rest to swing out, down, rotate, eject and reposition is approximately one and one-half seconds. Lengths from 6 inches to several feet can be supported using this steady rest.

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Also Available