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Siemens and Biglia Offer Full Flexibility in New “Quattro” Series of Turning Centers

Highlights include two-sided machining and servo drive technology

Recently, Northern Italian machine tool manufacturer Biglia introduced its multi-functional turning centers of the ‘Quattro’ series with the Sinumerik 840D sl CNC. The mechanical concept, together with the scalable control, provides users with the most diverse standard turning and milling operations.  The result is increased flexibility and higher speeds for end users.  That quality machine tools are built in Northern Italy is nothing new.  And this fact is confirmed again by the “Quattro” series from the machine tool manufacturer Biglia.  These machines are multifunctional turning centers that are valued throughout Europe for their high reliability and performance power.  The machines are available in different versions from 11 to 15 CNC axes.  They are also intended for different turning diameters (45, 52, 65, 71 and 80 mm).

Biglia has equipped its turning centers of the Quattro series with the Sinumerik 840D sl CNC control.  The individual machines have 11 to 15 NC axes.

Biglia has equipped its turning centers of the ‘Quattro’ series with the Sinumerik 840D sl CNC control. The individual machines have 11 to 15 NC axes.

The two opposing spindles form a special feature of the “Quattro” series. This allows the workpiece to be machined from two sides, which reduces the machining time. The second spindle can also be moved linearly in two directions (lengthwise and crosswise). This provides some leeway in the case of additional milling operations, but it can also be used for automatic workpiece unloading. Two turrets, mounted on the y-axis, ensure proper positioning of the necessary tools.

The turning centers from Biglia have two spindles and two independent tool turrets for simultaneous machining.

The turning centers from Biglia have two spindles and two independent tool turrets for simultaneous machining.

This innovative machining technology allows the creation of not only rotary but also prismatic workpieces – including polygons. Dealing with everything in one setup not only reduces cycle times, it also enhances accuracy.  The machines are developed on the basis of a modular concept that ensures flexible application options – from the universal CNC lathe, to complete machining of complex workpieces with powered tools (c- and y-axis).

Getting it right, from the start

By offering the Siemens Sinumerik 840D sl CNC control, Biglia now wants to expand its previous options and its own market by combining its technologies with that of the Siemens control.  “In this project, which is of personal significance to all of us who worked on it and of strategic significance for Biglia, we wanted to do everything perfect right from the start and to get the most out of it,” says Giovanni Delmondo, Business Development Manager for machine tools with Siemens Italy.  The result is an all-round successful machine series with a highly modern control that already includes the innovative system expansions of recent months – including increased energy efficiency options offered by the control and drive systems from Siemens.

To illustrate this, Giovanni Delmondo points out that “the fans on the spindles are shut down automatically when they are not required, or certain services such as hydraulics, lubricant supply, or compressed air are deactivated during machine standstill times. This is handled via special screen forms on the control and is extremely simple, using the Run MyScreens function.”

Also notable is the standard energy efficiency solution from Siemens in the Sinamics S120 drives onboard this machine series. This includes automatic power factor correction or regenerative feedback of the energy generated in braking operations, a substantial factor in energy savings.

Performance and scalability

The Sinumerik 840D sl control is based upon the Sinamics S120 drives platform.

The Sinumerik 840D sl control is based upon the Sinamics S120 drives platform.

The centerpiece of the automation concept of these Biglia turning centers is the Sinumerik 840D sl control. This is a universal and flexible CNC system, implemented in the Sinamics S120 design (see Fig. 3). It is suitable for up to 31 NC axes. Whether you are turning, drilling, milling, grinding, laser-machining, nibbling or punching, the Sinumerik 840D sl is suitable for use in the most diverse machining technologies. The CNC control also has PLC (programmable logic controller) functionalities, so that a special PLC can be eliminated, if applicable.

This high-end control from Siemens is ideally suited to medium and complex tasks and production and can be adapted to the task, thanks to scalable hardware. The CNC is also characterized by openness, so the operator interface and also the software present few limits to specific job adaptability. This applies all the way to supplementing the NC core of the control; however, a special license is required for this adaptation.

On the Biglia turning centers, the control was equipped with the Sinumerik Operate user interface, making operation simple and intuitive. Three different methods of parts programming are possible: Classic ISO code programming, programming with the help of the integrated ProgramGuide with graphical support of the selected cycles, and the new two-channel ShopTurn with graphical 3D simulation. The user is led step-by-step through the cycles, whether for simple metal removal, drilling, thread cutting, pocket milling, groove milling or engraving. Complex programming cycles for complex contours are also possible. The “ProgramSync” function for automatic synchronization of the machining programs via two channels ensures a significant increase in machine productivity. The control is equipped with a 15″ monitor and integral keyboard.

Siemens CNC in metalcutting applications.

Siemens CNC in metalcutting applications.

The Quattro series from Biglia also uses the highly effective personnel and machine protection system provided by the Sinumerik control concept with the Sinumerik Safety Integrated package.

Biglia is also breaking new ground with servo drives. Thus, the new servo motor generation 1PH8 from Siemens is used for the main spindle motors in this series.  The linear axes are further equipped with the new 1FK 7 G2 series of permanent-magnet synchronous motors. These motor types from Siemens enable onsite replacement of the encoders without having to dismantle the complete motor.  This combination of machine and CNC control in the Quattro turning centers from Biglia provides users with greater flexibility.

For more information about Siemens CNC solutions for the machine tool industry, visit our website: www.usa.siemens.com/cnc.

For more information on the this story, contact:

SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
DRIVE TECHNOLOGIES
MOTION CONTROL
MACHINE TOOL BUSINESS
390 Kent Avenue
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
Phone: 847-640-1595
Fax: 847-437-0784
Web:  www.usa.siemens.com/cnc
Email:  SiemensMTBUMarCom.sea@siemens.com
Attention:  John Meyer, Manager, Marketing Communication

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Siemens Industry Sector is the world’s leading supplier of innovative and environmentally friendly products, solutions and services for industrial customers. With end-to-end automation technology and industrial software, solid vertical-market expertise, and technology-based services, the sector enhances its customers’ productivity, efficiency and flexibility. With a global workforce of more than 100,000 employees, the Industry Sector comprises the Industry Automation, Drive Technologies and Customer Services Divisions as well as the Metals Technologies Business Unit.

The Siemens Drive Technologies Division is the world’s leading supplier of products, systems, applications, solutions and services for the entire drive train, with electrical and mechanical components. Drive Technologies serves all vertical markets in the production and process industries as well as the infrastructure/energy segment. With its products and solutions, the division enables its customers to achieve productivity, energy efficiency and reliability.

 

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