The ergonomic machine has been in use since 2013. The unusual tower structure is noticeable upon first glance: The machine table (60 kW drive capacity; 19,300 Nm torque) can be used to process workpieces that weigh up to 12 tonnes, with a maximum height of 2,450 mm and a diameter of up to 2,000 mm. “This design is very unusual for a vertical turning lathe”, says van den Bosch. “The machine is also very special in other ways: The pallet system with its motor driven set up is extremely important to us”. This extra feature on the VCE 2000 makes the setup process for the next workpiece more ergonomic and productive, allowing it to be completed while another workpiece is still being processed.

The Dutch company uses the VCE 2000 predominantly to machine cast steel, chrome steel, duplex, super duplex, Inconel and occasionally titanium. Two round valves, each weighing around 5.5 tonnes with 80 mm fl ange holes, were produced from Inconel in a complete machining process. The integrated tool magazine with 90 pockets also plays an important role in the complete machining process. As around 80 % of the machining operations are allotted to turning, the magazine contains 50 lathe tools that Mokveld has transformed into 300 lathe tools using a technological trick with special holders. However, the percentage of milling and drilling operations also plays a crucial role: The Dutch valve specialists appreciate the fact that bores can now also be manufactured on the machine in a single clamping position. This reduces the long machining times, as well as costs and energy consumption.