Hydrafeed UK Special Projects:
SPECIAL PURPOSE BAR LOADER
The XP-27 is being to used to machine tapers and angled key ways on steel shafts up to 6.5 metres (22’) long, and up to 100mm in diameter.
The shafts have to be machined on both ends, and the design of the XP-27 involves the shafts being initially loaded on to specially shaped rollers which are set on lathe centre height for easy insertion in to the lathe bore.
As soon as the chuck grips the shaft, the hydraulic triple roller steady units are actuated, so that the shafts are supported.
The shafts can then rotate at high speed whilst the rear section of the shaft that protrudes out of the back of the lathe is completely under control of the steady units.
The whole project from design to installation took just 8 weeks, and has resulted in enquiries from other companies interested in this type of equipment.
The new machining cell incorporating the XP-27 has greatly increased production, making it possible to take on extra marine work of the type described.
