When it comes to selecting CNC machines, Nakamura-Tome stands out as a leading choice among professionals and hobbyists alike.
Nakamura-Tome’s commitment to quality and innovation makes their CNC machines a top choice. But what specific features set them apart from other brands? Let's explore their history and the key reasons on why Nakamura-Tome machines might be the perfect fit for your needs.
The History of Nakamura-Tome CNC Machines
Nakamura-Tome Precision Industry has a rich history dating back to its foundation by Tomeo Nakamura. Originally starting as a job shop machining parts for the textile machinery company Tsudakoma, Nakamura leveraged his expertise as a lathe operator to launch his own venture. With just two machines—a manual lathe and a drilling machine—placed at the entrance of his house, Nakamura began a journey that would revolutionize the machining industry. Over the years, Nakamura-Tome evolved, expanding its operations and moving to larger facilities.
The company's philosophy was born out of Nakamura's observations of the textile industry's cyclical nature and the exhaustion faced by operators using manual lathe machines. Determined to reduce this burden, he founded Nakamura-Tome and introduced hydraulic automatic lathes, later transitioning to numerically controlled (NC) machines.
Nakamura-Tome’s Headquarters and Locations
Nakamura-Tome Precision Industry Co., Ltd. is headquartered in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. This location houses their primary manufacturing and research facilities, where they design and produce their CNC machines.
In addition to their headquarters in Japan, Nakamura-Tome has a global presence with offices and distributors in key markets around the world. This extensive network ensures that customers receive timely support and service, regardless of their location. Key regions include North America, Europe, and Asia.
State-of-the-Art MAGI Factory
The "MAGI" factory, the newest facility in the Nakamura-Tome lineup, marks a major advancement in operational efficiency. By consolidating three distinct plants into one unified facility, Nakamura-Tome has optimized its assembly workflows, markedly decreasing production lead times and boosting overall productivity.
The MAGI factory employs advanced multitasking machines and incorporates IT and IoT technologies to create a smarter manufacturing environment. This integration allows for seamless assembly processes, with all units—spindles, turret heads, and more—being produced and assembled in one location. This consolidation not only improves efficiency but also ensures a higher standard of quality control across all stages of production.
One notable feature of the MAGI factory is its emphasis on automation. By utilizing automated storage and retrieval systems, the factory can start assembling main units immediately upon receiving orders, drastically reducing downtime and increasing throughput.
Nakamura-Tome Machine Design and Product Range
Built with high-quality materials and advanced manufacturing techniques, these machines deliver consistent accuracy, essential for high-precision industries. Nakamura-Tome machines, known for their sturdy construction and advanced technology, including dual spindle configurations, ensure durability and seamless operation, making them a prudent long-term investment. They also feature user-friendly interfaces and software that simplify programming and operation, making them accessible to both seasoned machinists and beginners.
Nakamura-Tome machines stand out for their versatility, capable of precisely machining a wide range of materials—from soft plastics to hard metals—and handling complex geometrical tasks with reduced cycle times, thanks to their innovative features like the B-axis and tool spindle configurations.
Key Product Lines:
- NTRX Series: Designed for complex machining tasks, these multi-axis machines offer high precision, ideal for industries like aerospace and medical devices.
- AS Series: Focused on high-speed, high-accuracy turning operations, built for efficiency and reliability, suitable for automotive and high-volume production environments.
- SC Series: Known for its compact design and versatility, perfect for small to medium-sized parts production, offering flexibility for various applications.
- Super NTY Series: Includes multitasking machines with advanced capabilities such as three turrets and Y-axis functions, designed to handle complex operations with minimal setup time, improving overall productivity.
- WT Series: Features twin-spindle, twin-turret configurations, providing unmatched efficiency for parts that require simultaneous processing, ideal for reducing cycle times and improving throughput.
Each machine in Nakamura-Tome’s diverse range, from single turret machines like the SC-200II—known for their simplicity and ease of use—to more complex multitasking systems such as the NTY3-100V with three turrets. These machines ensure high quality and reduced cycle times with features like B-axis and tool spindle configurations that enable machining at various angles and complex operations such as gear skiving, minimizing the need for multiple setups. This comprehensive suite of machines caters to a broad spectrum of machining needs, enhancing efficiency across various manufacturing environments.
This revision aims to streamline the content, focus on the unique attributes of each machine type, and present Nakamura-Tome's offerings in a clear and organized manner, avoiding repetition and emphasizing their broad application potential.
The Heart of the Machine: The Spindle
At the core of every Nakamura-Tome machine lies the spindle, a component that the company regards as the "life of the machine." The spindle's design and manufacturing are critical to the machine's overall performance, ensuring precise rotation and stability during heavy-duty cutting.
Nakamura-Tome's spindles are compact yet incredibly strong, allowing for close proximity of the turret to the spindle and enabling a wider range of workpieces. The design includes a combination of front double roller bearings and angular bearings, providing robust support against thrust and radial loads. This configuration ensures that the spindle remains stable under various machining conditions, from delicate operations to heavy-duty cutting.
The company manufactures its spindles in-house, maintaining strict quality control and enabling quick responses to design changes or issues.
Additionally, Nakamura-Tome has implemented advanced features like their "Airbag" software, which minimizes damage during crashes by reversing the motor direction just 1 millisecond after impact. This software, combined with a robust mechanical design, ensures that Nakamura-Tome machines are not only high-performing but also easy to maintain and repair.
Nakamura-Tome’s Breakthrough in Multitasking Machining
The latest innovation from Nakamura-Tome, the NTY3-100V, is a multitasking machine that sets new standards for speed and efficiency in machining. Designed to handle complex workpieces with ease, it features two main spindles and three turrets equipped with Y-axes, allowing for simultaneous operations and significantly reducing cycle times. The integration of user-friendly features, such as large windows for clear visibility of the machining process and a simplified lubrication system using grease cartridges, enhances usability while reducing maintenance requirements and environmental impact.
The NTY3-100V boasts a design that facilitates ease of setup and changeover, quickly adapting to different workpieces, thereby increasing production flexibility. Its compact yet powerful build ensures it can handle the most demanding task. The dual spindle configuration (L-spindle and R-spindle) facilitates seamless operation transfer and completion, eliminating the need to manually or robotically flip workpieces, which historically hampered production efficiency. This capability simplifies automation systems like bar feeders and efficiently transforms round bar materials into complex shapes with minimal intervention.
Among its standout features, the machine's high-speed control systems and compact design contribute to a 30% reduction in cycle times. The turrets accommodate up to 72 turning tools, making the NTY3-100V ideal for high-mix, low-volume production. It also includes a high-RPM milling function with the "ChronoCut," a unique function designed to minimize idle time during manufacturing processes without sacrificing accuracy.
The NTY3-100V features the NT Thermo Navigator system, a thermal growth compensation software that leverages temperature information of the entire machine for efficient correction. The ability to mount tools on up to 72 stations significantly enhances production flexibility. This three-turret machine allows for pre-setting tools for multiple workpieces, eliminating the need for frequent tool changes and showcasing the machine's versatility in handling diverse machining processes.
Specifications at a Glance:
- Max Turning Diameter: Up to 200mm
- Max Turning Length: 588mm
- Distance Between Spindles: 200mm to 820mm
- Bar Capacity: Options of 42mm, 51mm, and 65mm
- Chuck Size: 6 inches
- Spindle Speed and Drive Motor Options: Cater to varied machining needs
In conclusion, Nakamura-Tome's rich history of innovation and dedication to quality continues to drive its success in the machining industry. From their advanced manufacturing facilities to their cutting-edge machines and precision spindles, Nakamura-Tome remains at the forefront of technological advancements, continually setting new benchmarks for performance and efficiency. The NTY3-100V is a testament to this legacy, offering unparalleled speed, precision, and versatility for modern machining needs. With its innovative features and user-friendly design, the NTY3-100V is poised to become a cornerstone of efficient and precise manufacturing worldwide.
