Portable VMC Streamlines Secondary Operations

Southwestern Industries will showcase the Trak 2OP, its portable VMC designed for secondary machining operations. The company says the machine enables a shop to streamline workflow and maximize labor utilization through quick, easy access to an additional spindle wherever it’s needed.  Engineered to be easy to learn, use and move, the Trak 2OP can enable the creation of work cells in a low-volume, high-mix shop.

The Trak 2OP increases productivity by enabling multitasking for operators who would otherwise be idle during the primary machine’s cycle time. In theory, this reduces part cycle times and increases output at zero additional labor cost. In addition to its use for secondary operations, the TRAK 2OP can also be used as a standalone VMC for simpler parts, freeing up more capable primary machines to complete more complex work.

The machine has a 2.5 × 4-ft. footprint, contains an eight-station automatic toolchanger and can run G code. Like all Trak machine tools, it uses the company’s ProtoTrak CNC technology with conversational programming. Programs can be generated either at the machine or remotely to perform tasks normally associated with secondary operations.