MTE Multitask

In today's manufacturing world, flexibility and precision are key. Originally developed for drilling and milling, MTE milling machines have established themselves as indispensable tools thanks to innovative technologies and versatile applications. In this blog post, we present the impressive capabilities of our milling machines, which now also include carousel turning and interpolation turning. Original versatility: drilling and milling work Our MTE milling machines were built for drilling and milling work from the very beginning. With milling heads that can be swivelled in two joints in increments of up to 0.001°, they offer exceptional precision and flexibility. This versatility has always been our hallmark. However, our customers' demands for additional machining options led to further innovations. Evolution of rotary tables: from positioning to milling As a first step towards expanding the machining options, we introduced rotary tables. They made it possible to rotate components through 360° and machine five of the six sides of a workpiece. Initially, they were only used for positioning to align components precisely. These rotary tables could also be placed upright on the machine table in combination with a tailstock to machine parts lengthwise. Over time, the pure positioning tables became rotary tables on which the component could also be milled during turning. This further development ultimately led to the integration of the carousel turning function. Carousel turning: the combination of milling and turning Today, rotary tables on MTE milling machines have the carousel turning function. This means that our machines can not only drill and mill, but also turn. This combination enables even more efficient machining of complex workpieces on a single machine. It allows turning processes on milling machines without rotary axes. This requires the main spindle of the milling machine to be switched to position-controlled operation, allowing it to serve as a turning axis. In interpolation turning, machining is performed with a tool clamped in the main spindle that performs circular movements in the X/Y plane. The semi-finished product to be machined is fixed to the machine table. Each circular movement of the tool is around its own axis, so that the tool is always optimally aligned with the component.

Advantages and conclusion

The ability to perform drilling, milling and turning processes on our MTE milling machines offers numerous advantages:

• Time and cost efficiency: By reducing or eliminating set-up times, complex workpieces can be machined quickly and completely on a single machine. The use of high-precision milling heads and the option of interpolation turning guarantee excellent machining results. The combination of different machining processes on one machine makes our milling machines an extremely versatile solution for a wide range of manufacturing requirements. The further development of our machines reflects our commitment to meeting the increasing demands of our customers and providing innovative solutions for modern manufacturing. With carousel turning and interpolation turning functions, MTE milling machines are ideally equipped to master even the most complex machining tasks efficiently and precisely.