The tried-and-tested Proxxon lathe PD 400 with CNC control. Multi-purpose for individual parts and small series manufacture.

Axle drive by stepper motors and recirculating ball screws to avoid backlash. For facing and longitudinal turning, for turning balls, radii and any freely formed contours made of steel and non-ferrous metals. Workpiece machining is effected automatically by software and can be reproduced as often as is required. Solid, heavy cast iron bed and ground precision vee guide ensure vibration-free working and optimum precision. Since the mechanical design is practically identical to the PD 400, the accessories supplied for it can be used without restriction.

Complete with recirculating ball spindles, powerful stepper motors, and the required limit switches, the CNC control unit, all necessary connecting cables and the software on CD-ROM.

The CNC control unit is located in a solid aluminium casing and contains a micro processor and the output stages for the stepper motors. It controls the stepper motors of both of the axes drives and the main spindle using the PC data and, with two freely controllable output relays, offers the possibility to control an automatic cooling unit or signal display, for example.

The installed mains supply circuit makes it possible to connect directly to the 220-240V mains voltage. The data transfer from the PC to the control unit is effected via RS-232 interface. All connecting cables required to control the main spindle, the stepper motors and the limit switches are pre-assembled and equipped with suitable connectors, included with the delivery.

When the software is started, the CAD window initially appears on the screen. The contour of the workpiece is created in the usual Windows environment. In the graphic, colour elements help to show the difference between the lathe, the chuck, the blank and the workpiece. Comprehensive aids make it easy for the user to operate the software. In addition to the mouse, manual coordinate entry in relative and absolute modes is supported. It is also possible to import existing files in the current data formts such as AutoCAD DXF and HPGL. Various processing speeds and manual tool replacement are possible, for example when machining different parts of the same workpiece.

The finished drawing of the tool is converted, by a mouse click, into the instruction set for the machine. So, machining can be started immediately. The instruction set generated in this way is in accordinace with DIN/ISO 66025 and can be manually edited and exported. Conversely, the system also permits importing or writing your own data sets.

If requested, the travel distances of the tool can be simulated in the graphics window. In this way, faults in the programming can be recognised before cutting. The handwheels are replaced with high precision step motors, however manual machining is still possible, since the step motors can be operated using buttons in the software.