Mill-turn control adds new cycles, features

Heidenhain’s TNC 640 mill-turn control has been updated with enhanced graphics, interpolation turning, and gear hobbing, allowing the control to be used in new applications such as machining large parts for power plants. Additionally, new manual probing cycles simplify workpiece setup.

The new graphics package includes a CAD viewer that opens any STEP, IGES, and DXF file, allowing the operator to evaluate the workpiece at the control.

When the new interpolation turning feature is in use with the control, the associated machine tool’s linear axes move along a circle, while the cutting edge with the milling spindle is always oriented to the center of rotation (outside machining) or away from the center of rotation (inside machining).

The new Cycle 880, for gear hobbing of external cylindrical and helical teeth, is performed through synchronization of the tool and lathe spindles. The cycle positions the rotary axis to the required tilting position and performs the infeed movements to the workpiece in the radial direction and the milling movements in the axial direction.

The manual probing function determines the 3-D basic rotation for a plane surface. The misalignment of a surface can be measured by probing three points in any direction on that plane. Subsequently, the result can be transferred to the datum table and/or the workpiece can be aligned.