Turning centers sport simulation functions

Index Corp. turning centers now come with "virtual machine" functions in their machine controls to simulate machine motion and function.

Index Corp. (www.index-usa.com) is adding a virtual machine function to its machine controls that the company says will allow job shops to simulate machine motions and functions of turning centers, turn-mill centers and multispindle machines on a PC.

The company says the virtual machine software will help operators ensure machining processes will proceed as they are programmed.

The software also allows existing CNC programs to be edited.

Machine control software and a "mirror" of actual machine-configuration data let operators set up and use this function exactly in the same manner as a real machine.