Two speed clutches feature on combination lathe

The effectiveness of ZF Industrial's two-speed products in providing improved performance from machine tools has been underlined recently with the adoption by Colchester, part of 600 Group, of ZF two speed clutches on what is claimed to be the world's most technically advanced combination lathe. The lathe is the new Combi K, which was unveiled for the first time at MACH 2000. Designed for manual, electronic and full CNC operation, the Combi K is a two-axis machine offering a host of innovative features, not least its unique 30 degree slant bed design, which puts an end to swarf debris accumulation and the damage that it can cause.

The design of the Combi K is a true synergy of ergonomics, technical innovation, flexibility and cost effectiveness.

The machine is modular in concept to allow for any size of bed length, and employs only high performance "lean turn" components in an integrated approach that allows cost compression.

One of the key components in this lean turn approach is ZF's gearless, self-contained two-speed clutch/pulley unit assembly, which in combination with a custom-developed, wide range, high performance motor offers a 20:1 constant power band.

"The ZF two speed clutch provides us with a convenient and inexpensive way of achieving a two speed machine with a wider spread of power and without the added cost and complexity of gears," say Colchester's Technical Director, Peter Cook.

"The system is more cost effective, quieter, more reliable, and certainly more time efficient for the operator as the time for changing speed ranges is considerably reduced.

"Colchester is the latest machine tool manufacturer to realise the cost and convenience benefits of our two speed products," commented ZF's Account Manager, Rob Pearson.

"The products are the ideal OEM component for modern machine tools.

They provide full power across the widest range of speeds, are compact and easy to install, are essentially maintenance free and remove the need to use large, and expensive, motors - and gearboxes."

"In addition to two speed clutches, the range also includes a two speed gearbox which is being used by many machine tool manufacturers across the world.

These are being increasingly adopted because they provide constant power across the speed range of a machine tool, right down to a common base speed of 375rpm.

This enables machine tool builders to standardise on their machine construction, and to reduce costs and build times, because the same mechanical arrangement can always to be used, irrespective of the maximum speed requirement.