Bar Feeder for Sliding Headstock Lathes Enables Higher RPMs

Photo Credit: LNS

The LNS GT 342 automatic magazine bar feeder features a guiding system that enables higher spindle speeds for greater throughput from sliding headstock turning machines. The bar feeder has a compact footprint with a vibration dampening structure and polyurethane guiding elements to ensure optimum performance up to 44-mm bar diameter capacity.

Changeover within the same guiding elements can be achieved in less than a minute. Users simply replace the pusher collet by removing its quick-change pin, adjust the centrally controlled bar selection system to the new bar diameter on the auxiliary reference scale, and enter the parameters into the touchscreen HMI.

The GT 342 enables machining of bars from 0.12" to 1.73" (3-44 mm) and can guide bars from 31.5" to 12'6"-10.5" (800-3,810 mm) in length. The toolless channel design enables partial changeovers of under 2 minutes with full changeover times of less than 7 minutes. Once unlocked, the lower channels simply slide out while the upper channel remains the same for the entire bar diameter range.

To perform maintenance on the spindle, the GT 342 is equipped with a longitudinal displacement that enables the upper part of the bar feeder to move back while keeping the accurate alignment necessary to reach high guiding performance.