b'Todays multitasking machines offer more reasons than ever to combine normally separate operations.By William LeventonL ike their predecessors, the lat-est multitasking machines han-dle two or more processes, each of which traditionally would require a different machine. As always, com-bining processes in one of these models reduces overall setup time and floor space occupied by ma-chines while also eliminating inac-curacies that result from moving parts from one machine to another. Whats new, however, are a host of features and innovations aimed at making the current crop of mul-titasking machines more capable and easier to use than before.In the machining industry, the word multitasking usually brings to mind machines that can han-dle both turning and milling. These include lathes that can mill, nor-mally referred to as turn/mill ma-chines, and mills that can turn, usu-ally called mill/turn machines, said Jeff Wallace, general manager of national engineering at DMG Mori USA Inc. in Hoffman Estates, Illi-nois. He said turn/mill machines offer very long x-axis travel like a lathe, making them a good choice for creating lengthy components that need both turning and milling. On the other hand, he said, shorter components that require both op- which make it easier for users to pro- needed to cut a part. The business erations might be a better fit forgram the machines for special tasks,now has 42 such programs in its mill/turn machines. such as gear hobbing. Instead oftechnology cycle library.DMG Mori USAs latest lathe- programming a hobbing sequence based multitasking machines areby entering traditional commands,New Optiona refresh of the companys NT se- users simply enter relevant data intoA more recent development from ries. Among the features offered bya table via a human-machine in- DMG Mori USA is its new DMU/these NTX machines are softwareterface. Then the technology cycleDMC 65 H monoBlock mill/turn ma-programs called technology cycles,takes over, producing the G codechine for complete machining up to 22DECEMBER 2020MultitaskMachine.indd 22 11/13/20 12:22 PM'