By automatically gathering components, HydraFeed's patented Rota Rack system enables a CNC turning centre to run unmanned for extended periods.

As a BTMA (British Turned parts Manufacturers' Association) technical member, HydraFeed said it has enjoyed considerable success with its new Rota-Rack part accumulator designed for collecting components from CNC lathes By automatically gathering components, the patented Rota Rack system enables a CNC turning centre to run unmanned for extended periods

Suited to limited space environments, the accumulator collects components up to 254mm long with diameters up to 76mm.

The Rota Rack can be set at the left or right side of the machine and has an adjustable height to suit the exact needs of the end user.

* Handling parts without damage - the Rota Rack system is also lined with a soft plastics that guarantees parts will not be marked and this is essential in production environments where part damage must be eliminated.

This aspect proved a major plus point, said HydraFeed to manufacturingtalk, when the UK's first Rota Rack was installed at the world class manufacturing facility of Air Bearings in Poole, UK.

As a subsidiary of global electronics giant Hitachi, Air Bearings introduced the Rota Rack to one of its Mazak turning centres to catch and store high value parts that could not be marked or damaged in any way.

Extracting components from CNC turning centres is a HydraFeed speciality.

The Rota Rack comfortably fits into the range of 'part removal' products alongside the established X-Tract CNC automatic part unloader.

Developed to safely and efficiently unload parts that are too long to be caught in standard part catchers, the X-Tract removes parts through the sub-spindle of twin spindle lathes.

The standard X-Tract stroke is 1.5m with longer versions available.

* Short bar feeder - to increase productivity and reduce costs for subcontractors, Hydrafeed has developed its V65 short barfeeder.

Since being introduced to the market, the V65 supports unmanned production and can accept round, hexagonal or shaped bars from 5 to 65mm diameter.

Holding a maximum capacity of ten 65mm diameter bars up to a stroke length of 1.2m or 1.5m, the V65 has horizontal bar bandings to maximise production by quickly and efficiently delivering the bar to the spindle.

The V65 has an adjustable faceplate, Mitsubishi PLC and remote control pendant included to enhance ease of use.

Also popular among BTMA members, said HydraFeed, is the established Multiservo and Multifeed 3-80 range of short magazine bar feeds.

Both models are available with rotating bar support units acting as an extension of the lathe headstock to accommodate longer than headstock bar lengths. 

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