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A vertical machining centre developed by Hermle features a three plus two axis capability that
reduces fixturing and setup costs as well as cycle times, says the company.
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Making its debut is an entry-level five-axis vertical machining centre built by machine tool builder Hermle (Gosheim, Germany; www.hermle.de). Designed to appeal to first time users of five-axis machines, the B 300 reportedly offers the precision and reliability associated with the company’s C-series machines, but at a 20 per cent lower cost. This, according to Bill Hawkes, Sales Director for sales agent Geo. Kingsbury Machine Tools Ltd (Gosport, UK; www.gkholdings.com) makes the machine an attractive option. “It is offered in a more or less fixed specification with little in the way of optional equipment thereby making it fully five-axis functional at a competitive entry-level price,” he says.
Linear axis travels are x 800 mm/y 600 mm/z 500 mm and all three move the tool; rapid motion is 30 m/min. The fourth and fifth axes are provided by a rotary table mounted on a swivelling trunnion. The two rotary axis movements are 360° for various configurations of the rotary table and ±110° for the trunnion, maximum speeds are 15.5 and 10 rpm, respectively. Simultaneous interpolation of all the axes by a CNC system provides full five-axis capability. “Three plus two axis (that is, position three axis and work in two) capability will reduce fixturing and setup costs and also reduce cycle times,” adds Hawkes.
The machine has a 5 m/s2 acceleration in the linear axes, a reported six second chip-to-tool change from the 30-station magazine and a 15,000 rpm/19 kW spindle. There is a choice of 40-taper and HSK A 63 tool interfaces.
For users who do not have collision detection as part of their computer aided manufacturing software, a novel safety system is provided. If a cycle is incorrectly programmed so that the spindle hits the workpiece or table in rapid traverse, six mounting bushes with collapsible sleeves crumple and absorb the energy long enough for the shock to be detected and the machine stopped. The spindle is saved from damage and needs only to be remounted with six new bolts.
Other features of the machine include a three-point support. The maximum component weight of 250 kg supported by the five-axis machine can be increased to 1.5 tonnes if a user opts for a three-axis version of the machine with a 1000 X 560 mm fixed table.
