Spearheading the introduction of a new generation of sliding head automatic lathes, the Citizen C16 has 22 tool positions and 10,000 revs/min main and secondary spindles.
Spearheading the introduction of a new generation of sliding head automatic lathes, the Citizen C16 has 22 tool positions, 10,000 revs/min main and secondary spindles and can accommodate up to three tools cutting simultaneously. This configuration significantly improves operational flexibility and reduces machining cycle times. Launched in the UK by NC Engineering of Watford, the C16 slots between the low cost, fast cycling B-Series and higher productivity L-Series for which it combines many of the attributes.

The machine is compact with a floor space requirement of 2155mm by 960 mm by 1690mm.

Within the machine frame, a high speed positioning X-Y tool carrying yoke is able to mount four rotary tools, and a perpendicular toolpost will hold six turning tools.

In addition, a 4000 revs/min slitting spindle can be mounted on the toolpost with the capacity for a 50mm diameter cutter and an 8000 revs/min end face drilling spindle with + 10deg of angle adjustment.

To complement the yoke and perpendicular tool carriers, an opposed tool post has 12 end working positions and can be fitted with high pressure c oolant supply for direction towards any of the tool positions.

The opposed toolpost has six tools facing the main spindle and six towards the back spindle and can be set to provide extra turning tools if required.

With the flexibility of this tool configuration, the machine gives a distinct higher productivity advantage with up to three tools working simultaneously in conjunction with both the front and back spindles.

Maximum cutting length is 200mm.

However, with the optional long workpiece unit, components up to 400mm in length can be machined.

The main spindle is driven by 2.2kW motor and the secondary spindle has a 0.75 kW drive.

The rotary tool drive also has a 0.75kW, AC spindle motor giving 8000 revs/min with a maximum drilling diameter of 5mm and M4 tapping capacity using synchronous or differential routines.

Access to the working area is easy with a two-section 'R' style lift up and counter balanced guard giving a total single access point to the tooling area.

A separate lift up guard is used for the headstock section.

As with the current Citizen sliding head automatic lathe range, hydraulics and pneumatic systems have been designed out in favour of all-servo driven axes.

This has the advantage of reduced response time to control sequences and contributes to reductions in cycle times of up to 25 per cent against previous machine operational systems.

In addition, running costs and machine generated noise is far lower, while maintenance service schedules are reduced and thermal stability improved which increases batch machining consistency.