Strategies for Completing Every Job Faster
INDEX Corporation will present manufacturers with various strategies for streamlining their high-precision CNC turning operations at IMTS 2026 - South Building, #339119 - will witness the North American debut of multiple new machines, including an entirely new design concept tailored to small part production. Index also will demonstrate its full portfolio of proven advanced machine technologies, and provide insight to the ways manufacturers can produce every job faster to maximize profitability.
“When we say every job faster, we are talking about the comprehensive perspective that manufacturers need to embrace to ship good parts as quickly as possible,” Michael Huggett, Index president & CEO said. “Cycle time reduction is a vital part of that, but it alone can’t get a company to maximum profitability.
“With the technologies and experts we’re bringing to IMTS, we’re asking attendees to tell us about the parts they need to produce, then demonstrating how they can achieve the mix of cycle time, quality, reliability and automation needed to get the best possible result,” Huggett continued
One of the debuts will be the Traub MS12-4 CNC multi-spindle machine. According to the developer, this machine effectively combines four Traub TNL12 single-spindle sliding headstock lathes into one machine with four primary spindles, four tool turrets, two or four counter spindles, and up to four Flex-WT flexible tool carriers. A flexible, modular design means that the MS12-4 can be optimized according to specific production needs.
The MS12-4 brings the low cycle times and reliably precise performance of CNC multi-spindles to applications that are poor candidates for a drum-style multi-spindle. For example, it can be difficult (or impossible) to distribute machining of a part evenly across six or eight spindles when a specialized process accounts for a disproportionate amount of cycle time. Because the stations of the MS12-4 concurrently produce fully finished parts, the machine allows optimization of a broader variety of components.
Additionally, by incorporating sliding headstocks for each of the machine’s spindles the productivity of a multi-spindle can be achieved for long, thin parts, such as bone screws and small electrical components.
The Index G160 five-axis turn mill also will be demonstrated for the first time in North America. It’s built on a rigid, vibration-damping machine bed and offers two highly dynamic direct-drive spindles, available with bar clearances of 1.64 in. (42 mm) or 2.56 in. (65 mm.) An upper tool carrier with a B axis and direct-drive milling spindle enables full five-axis machining while two lower tool turrets are capable of serving either of the machine’s spindles. Manufacturers not requiring robust five-axis capabilities can optionally select to replace the milling spindle with an upper tool turret. The machine is easily integrated with a variety of automation solutions and offers an assortment of options. Together, these features allow the G160 to be optimized for a diverse range of small, complex parts across all industry segments.
Visitors to booth #339119 will have the opportunity to see the C200 production turning center from a new perspective. The machine will be on display with a plexiglass rear panel to provide visibility into its unique kinematics. Specifically, the C200 incorporates the Index SingleSlide system, which provides two degrees of movement in a single plane. This proprietary design allows a high dynamic response while achieving exceptional vibration damping, resulting in shorter cycle times, outstanding part quality, and up to 30% increases to tool life.
Index also will be showcasing the MS24-8, the latest evolution of the company’s family of drum-style CNC multi-spindles. With W-serration toolholders for quick setups and changeovers, eight main spindles, and up to two swiveling synchronous spindles, the machine remains the fastest, most reliable means of production for a wide swath of small parts.
By contrast, the G320 CNC turn mill for large parts will be on display. Though not the largest of the G Series machines, the G320 will be the largest of that series on display: it accommodates turning lengths up to 55.1 in. (1,400 mm) and diameters up to 9.8 in. (250 mm.) Featuring high thermal and mechanical stability, high tool capacity, and full five-axis machining capabilities, the machine excels at machining large, complex workpieces with demanding quality requirements.
Index also will demonstrate its Traub TNL20 turning center, which can quickly and easily switch between sliding-headstock and fixed-headstock operation. A good choice for many parts requiring Swiss-type turning, the TNL20 is available in three variations:
The standard TNL20-9 provides simultaneous and precise machining with up to three tools.
The TNL20-9B incorporates a B axis to enable the machining of highly complex part geometries.
The TNL20-11 provides an additional front working attachment that enables simultaneous machining with up to four tools for even higher productivity.
Visitors to Index at booth #339119 also will learn about the latest additions to the company’s iXworld cloud-based platform, which includes the iX4.0 productivity apps, iXservice portal, and iXshop procurement portal. One Click Metal, an Index subsidiary that specializes in safe, affordable, and easy-to-use 3D printing systems, will be located in the booth as well. Representatives from Horn USA will be on hand to discuss tooling provided for cutting demonstrations on site.
Learn more at www.index-group.com