Modern and more resistant plastic instead of heavy steel

Joaquín Orbegozo, head of electrical engineering at Gurutzpe, is convinced of the advantages of the horizontal guide "Guidelok". "The energy chain is rugged, rigid and reliable." The machine manufacturer also explains this to his customers. "Sometimes one says, I would have liked this or that machine - but with a metallic energy chain." Then Joaquín Orbegozo harps on the lighter but highly stable plastic energy chain, demonstrating that it easily tolerates even the weight of a grown-up man. When another customer has a concern that during the machining the metal hot chips could eat through the plastic, he takes the soldering iron and puts it on the energy chain there and then. "At least when customers see that this cannot damage the energy chain, they are convinced," says the electrical engineer.

Novel energy chain: The horizontal upper run guide "Guidelok". For long unsupported travels up to 164 ft in the chip area. Nothing can settle between the gliding surfaces of the upper and lower runs.

Guided in a light aluminum trough channel, the energy chain runs in the radius past the pivoting roll holders, pivots in and out again after the radius, then the upper run settles again on the holders.

The Gurutzpe philosophy: Prismatic guides

Gurutzpe, the turning machine manufacturer, has specialized in special solutions for customers, often with specific requirements. At present only two manufacturers worldwide offer prismatic turning machines. Furthermore, Gurutzpe also makes four-guide machines which allow very flexible applications. These are generally equipped with fixed or hydraulic steady rests and other accessories of the last generation. The market demand increasingly tends to be for very large and long turning machines. "Gurutzpe has already built turning machines of this type with a length of 65.6 feet. There aren't really any limits," says Sales Manager Oscar Anitua. As regards the important issue of energy supply, these distances can be easily implemented with the "Guidelok" energy chain system. "If we choose the double-running option," adds Matthias Meier, "it also has the advantage that twice the amount of cables or wires can be accommodated."