The VT 4 CNC vertical turning center from EMAG LLC has integrated automation, simultaneous 4-axis machining, and IoT-ready capabilities. The heavy-duty, high-performance machine can face and center components as well as machine the part O.D. and I.D., and provide live tool capability for milling and drilling, eliminating the need for additional individual machines. Fewer machines can save expensive floor space and capital, and limit multiple clamping processes, reducing cycle times and minimizing the chances of errors and damage to parts. Key features High precision and efficiency: short cycle times and simultaneous 4-axis machining for enhanced productivity. Integrated automation: automatic loading and unloading with workpiece grippers for reduced idle times. Robust process reliability: vertical arrangement ensuring free downward chip flow to prevent build-up. Advanced machining capabilities The VT 4 is designed to machine shaft parts up to 24.8” (630mm) in length with an extended bed version to 3.28ft (1m) in length and up to 7.87” (200mm) in diameter. Two tool turrets with 11 tool posts each are available for machining (one tool post on each turret is occupied by the workpiece gripper). This enables simultaneous 4-axis machining of workpieces from two sides. Workpiece grippers transfer the raw parts into the turning center and pick them up again after machining, reducing chip-to-chip times as well as related component costs. Depending on the workpiece, this changeover time lasts only about six seconds. Simultaneously turning from two sides using 4-axis machining makes the actual turning process very fast, too. The vertical arrangement of the component also ensures long-lasting process reliability, since gravity assists chip flow, helping avoid chip build-up in the machine compartment. Integrated automation system Automatic loading and unloading are integral parts of the machine. The workpiece grippers in the two turrets move the raw parts from the workpiece carriers on an incremental chain conveyor into their vertical position in the turning center. Our VT 4 turning centers are also easy to add to a production cell since the automation system can also be used to transfer processed parts to the next station in the cell. Applications in shaft production The VT 4 is ideal for automotive, aerospace, industrial and gear shaft manufacturing including: transmission shafts rotor shafts pump shafts engine shafts EDNA IoT-ready technology All EMAG VT 4 turning centers come standard as IoT-ready. Using data from our EDNA analytic software, unnecessary downtimes – due to component wear or, in the worst case, due to the failure of a machine – can be reduced or avoided entirely. Productivity improvements of more than 10% are typical and data analysis on the machines can be started virtually immediately.