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Latest 5-axis horizontal machining center features dynamic tuning and coolant delivery options to boost titanium throughput by 50 to 100% and has compact tilt-spindle with 180 deg sweep

Cincinnati Machine will introduce the new MEGA5-800 5-axis horizontal machining center at IMTS 2006 in Booth A-8218. Building upon the highly successful 4-axis MEGA Series, as well as Cincinnati’s 25 years of experience in the production of 5-axis horizontal machining centers, this machine promises to set the standard for performance in its class.

Utilizing the basic MEGA twin ballscrew-driven axes configuration in X-Y-Z and the basic MEGA B-axis table, the new 5-axis model incorporates an extremely compact A-axis tilt-spindle with 180 deg sweep.

This combination of standard features provides precision, 5-sided machining capability for high quality, economical part processing, as well as full 5-axis contouring for processing highly complex parts.

The new MEGA5’s full range of superior performance capabilities will be presented at this year’s show.

* Optimized for titanium machining - the IMTS demonstration highlights Cincinnati Machine’s suite of technologies and techniques for high-efficiency machining of titanium.

The rapidly growing use of titanium in aerospace and other applications has focused industry attention on the need for improved processing capabilities for this difficult-to-machine material, and Cincinnati Machine has responded with a comprehensive package covering machine dynamics, tooling, coolant delivery, chip handling, and even raw material characteristics.
Further reading

VMC reduces valve part machining time by 40%
Valve manufacturer reports that its latest vertical machining centre has machined a valve with 4,813 x 3mm diameter holes 40% quicker compared to the previous machine used for the task

Vertical machining centres take heavy loads
Cincinnati Machine exhibits at EMO 2007 will include vertical machining centes equipped for 5-axis and five-sides machining of workpieces up to 10,000kg

CNC machining centres keep to specifications
The ability of one supplier’s range of CNC machine tools ability to maintain productivity, accuracy and surface finishes over a long period of time led a precision machine shop to buy more

Cincinnati Machine has equipped the MEGA5 with a combination of features that yields throughput increases of 50 to 100% compared to conventional processes.

The company’s titanium process engineers will be available in the Cincinnati Machine booth during and after demonstrations to answer questions relating to improving the productivity of titanium machining operations.

* Superior travels, speed and capacity - with its extended Y-axis, the MEGA5 offers 1425mm of X-axis travel, 1325mm of Y-axis travel, and 1265mm of Z-axis travel providing the range and part capacity to meet a wide variety of customer needs.

Part sizes up to 1300mm (51.2in) diameter and 2000mm (78.7in) high, weighing 2200kg (4840 lb) can be accommodated.

The machine’s feed rate of 60m/min (2,362in/min) and 1G (386 n/s2 - 9.8m/s2) acceleration/deceleration rate provide unmatched metalcutting performance compared to other machines of this class.

* Spindles for any workpiece material - the MEGA5 is available in machine configurations suitable for cutting a variety of materials.

The XT spindle configuration is intended primarily for hard metal applications.

The XT spindle package is available with a geared spindle providing a base speed of 375 rev/min and a maximum speed of 6,000 rev/min.

Duty rated at 45kW (60HP)/1,146Nm (845ft.lb) and continuous rated at 37kW (50 HP)/942Nm (695ft.lb), it is offered in either HSK 100A or ANSI 50 (ISO 7388.1) versions.

The MEGA5 AP spindle package is intended primarily for aluminum workpieces.

A choice of two high-speed spindles is available, one rated for continuous operation at 50kW (67HP) and the other rated at 30kW (40HP).

Both spindles feature HSK63A tooling interface and are capable of 24,000 rev/min operation.

* Proven components and design - the MEGA5 utilizes the same rigid, thermally stable symmetrical design as the previously introduced 4-axis MEGA machines.

The machine base incorporates an extra large center trough to handle high volumes of chips.

It also features three-point leveling in a compact footprint that eliminates the need for special foundations.

The A-axis tilt spindle used on the MEGA5 machine is adapted and refined from the spindle used on the highly successful Cincinnati Machine MAGNUM H5-1000 introduced in 1999.

* Minimized ‘parasitic’ (non-cutting) time - in addition to its world-class axes rates, the MEGA5 incorporates other features to minimize non-cutting time and maximize throughput.

Equipped with the field proven automatic tool changer from the MEGA4, HSK100A or ANSI 50 tools weighing up to 30kg (66 lb) are exchanged in less than 2.5s tool-to-tool.

Lighter tools in the 0-5kg range can be changed in less than 2s.

The pallet changer is equally impressive, swapping 800mm x 800mm pallets in 14s.

The combination of speed and rigidity, along with minimized parasitic time and the reduced workpiece set-up time, which results from the 5-sided and 5-axis capabilities, increases the overall machine utilization percentage of the MEGA5 beyond that of a normal horizontal machining center.

* About Cincinnati Machine - Cincinnati Machine designs, builds and integrates advanced manufacturing solutions for the global aerospace, heavy equipment, energy and general machining markets.

The company’s broad machine tool line includes automated composites processing equipment, profilers, routers, large horizontal and vertical machining centers including 5-axis, multi-tasking and cells.

Cincinnati Machine, together with Giddings and Lewis and Cincinnati Automation and Test, makes up Cincinnati Technologies, a unit of MAG industrial automation Systems.

* About MAG Industrial Automation Systems - MAG Industrial Automation Systems (MAG-IAS), Sterling Heights, Michigan, is a group of leading machine tool and systems companies serving the durable-goods industry, worldwide, with a large portfolio of highly-recognized and well-respected brands.

With manufacturing operations on five continents, MAG-IAS ranks as a leader in the global metalworking capital equipment market.

A 12-employee subcontractor has just installed a twin pallet universal five-axis machining centre on the basis that it will provide rapid payback, cutting machining cycles by up to two-thirds

Proving that investment costs for high technology machine tools are not prohibitive to small subcontract machining companies, 12-employee DandS Engineering has just installed a DMC60T twin pallet universal five-axis machining centre from DMG UK on the basis that it will provide rapid payback.

Considering that the cycle time for one particular repeat job has already been cut by two-thirds, the return is already looking rosy for this Coventry-based precision machinist.

Providing subcontract manufacturing services for the past 30 years to the defence, aerospace and hydraulic industries, prismatic machining is the most recent addition to the DandS portfolio.

And while the company had been deploying its existing three and four-axis machining centres with admirable effect, customer pressure for reduced prices led DandS to seek a method of eliminating second and third operations.

‘We knew that the facility to hit five faces simultaneously would help us machine components complete in a single set-up,’ explained director Steve Maconnachie.

‘It would also improve consistency as parts requiring several set-ups inherently means more potential to introduce error.’ Maconnachie also said that the amount of high volume/low value work filtering out of the country provided DandS with another incentive.
Further reading

Machining with five-axis simultaneous capability
The latest Deckel Maho DMU 40 MonoBLOCK universal machining centre with five-axis simultaneous capability and up to 42,000 revs/min spindle, takes up no more than 4m of floorspace

CNC automatic lathes up speed, flexibility
Italian builder of CNC automatics introduced advances in the design and control of CNC single- and multi-spindle lathes as well as multislide machines, all developed to raise output and flexibility

Machining centres offer precise 5-axis milling
Latest additions to a range of precise, rigid, 5-axis horizontal machining centres now include two additional models for machining of smaller workpieces at high productivity rates

‘More and more we are receiving enquiries for high value components.

However, many ask whether or not we have five-axis capability - if we say ‘no’ they won’t even ask us to quote.’ After searching the market for a suitable five-axis machine, DandS Engineering opted to purchase a DMC60T universal machining centre from DMG UK.

‘Fortunately DMG had one in stock and, even better, it featured a very powerful Heidenhain control, which is a standard that I have grown up with,’ said Maconnachie.

The compact DMC60T features Deckel Maho’s innovative monoBLOCK construction in combination with a pallet changer.

High dynamics in all axes and a milling head with 150deg swivel range guarantee high productivity for individual production tasks.

Rapid traverse of 50m/min, up to 0.6G acceleration in the X, Y and Z axes, and chip-to-chip times of less than 5s offer the prerequisites for highly productive part production.

The machine also features an integrated 28kW motor spindle offering 12,000rev/min and a torque of 121Nm to ensure powerful milling ability.

The expandable magazine in modular design is equipped with places for 30 SK40 tools as standard.

The rotating pallet changer allows for set-up to take place in parallel to production.

‘As were also looking to reduce loading costs,’ said Maconnachie, ‘we knew we would benefit from the twin pallet feature.

We can either load the same components on identical fixtures, or have different parts on each pallet - the choice is ours.’ The DMC60T is used by DandS Engineering to cut complex components requiring machining on five sides.

Materials vary from aluminium through to inconel - Maconnachie said the machine handles tougher materials without any difficulties.

Tolerances are usually in the region of +/-10 microns while batch sizes vary from 1- to 250-off.

A typical day at DandS Engineering will see the DMC60T run continuously for 16h.

‘The benefits have already been tremendous,’ he concluded.

‘For example, one of our regular repeat jobs used to take 80 minutes to complete over three operations.

Now, using the DMC60T, it takes just 26 minutes to finish in a single set-up.

It also allows us to quote for jobs that we would previously have been precluded from without five-axis machining capability.’

Innovative machining centres for the economical cutting of aerospace components provide simultaneous 5-axis machining, deep drilling in series production and high-performance milling

The mechanical machining of functional and structural components made of aluminium, titanium and steel for the aerospace industry requires modern manufacturing technologies. Whether the six-sided complete machining of small cubic parts, simultaneous 5-axis machining, deep drilling in series production, high-performance milling of large structural components or all-round complete machining of up to 11m long aluminium profiles: Thanks to the innovative machining centres, cells and lines and the customer support available worldwide ‘around the clock’, Chiron is the top choice for more and more successful companies in the aerospace industry.

At the Airtec, the world market leader will present the machining centres Mill 2000 and a MPS 15 high speed, which operate according to the moving column principle.

The comprehensive modular concept of the MILL series allows individual machines to be configured for volume cutting as well as for the fine cutting of complex parts made of steel, titanium and non-ferrous metals (dry, with cooling lubricant or oil) in small and medium batches.

The X/Y/Z travel of the seven basic models ranges from 800x500x550mm (Mill 800) to 6000x630x840mm (Mill 6000).

Thanks to the multitude of options, such as the magazine with capacities from 24 to 180 SK-40 or HSK-A63 tools, spindle drives up to 58kW, an NC swivel head with a spindle which can go up to 20 000 rev/min, a 2-axis swivel rotary table, and an NC positioning or water-cooled turning spindle (with 100/65mm bar capacity), it is possible to have a perfect individual solution adapted to the respective customer requirements ex works under attractive conditions.

Axis feeds up to 60m/min and chip-to-chip times of 2.9s guarantee the highest performance and inexpensive piece costs.
Further reading

VMC configured to subcontractor’s need
Key criteria in a subcontractor’s view for efficient machining were, accuracy, robustness, reliability and an ability to be flexible - which it found in a modularly configurable VMC

Possibly the fastest M-C yet made its debut at EMO
To satisfy users’ demands for faster chipping, a German machine tool builder unveiled at EMO what may be the fastest machining centre yet, with axes accelerations to 5G and axes speeds to 120m/min

High-tech double spindle centre goes linear
The ‘linear speed’ version of a twin spindle machining centre has the latest linear motors in the X and Y axes to give high acceleration without affecting machined profile quality

The Chiron MPS series also has a modular structure and can be very flexibly individualised.

The MPS is currently one of the most versatile and productive serial machines for the all-round and longitudinal machining of profile bars in one set-up.

MPS machining centres machine workpieces directly from the profile, continuously and completely.

Milling, drilling, countersinking, reaming, thread cutting - anything is possible.

This equally applies for series parts and for variants.

Thanks to the combination of high-performance machining centres and NC-controlled material feed, the production volume can be increased to up to 800 workpieces per hour.

The MPS has very high running autonomy and is ideally suited for multi-machine operation.

Complete machining in one set-up guarantees the finest machining quality.

With passage cross-sections of up to 120 x 120mm and machining lengths of up to 11m, this machining centre is recommended for example for the flexible complete machining of a wide variety of components, such as airplane seat rails.

The profile-specific clamping jaws are quick and inexpensive to manufacture, which equally minimizes set-up costs and time for variable batch sizes or variants.

For fast and accurate machining of complex aluminium products, a machining centre with a 100kW has a metal removal rate 10,000cm3/min compared with competing machines of 2000-5000cm3/min

The single station Unipro 5 machining centre from Unisign is equipped with a 100kW main spindle with speeds of up to 25,000 rev/min. The machine is suitable for fast and accurate machining of complex aluminium products. The machining capacity is 10,000cm3/min. Until now, comparable machines available on the market had a machining capacity of maximum of 100cm3/kW.

For a customary, stable high speed machine it means 2000-5000cm3/min metal removal rate.

The Unipro 5 offers double and even up to five times the capacity.

In addition to the main spindle drive specifications, high metal removal rates on the Unipro 5 are due to the integral, dynamic behaviour of the machine.

Feed rates of the X-, Y-, Z-, A- and B-axis are up to 60m/min and corresponding acceleration up to 8m/s2 demand a stiff machine tool structure.

Unisign has achieved this by subsequently applying the finite element analysis method to all basic structural parts of the machine.

This has enable the Unipro 5 to exhibit stiffness and stability combined with high precision.

Subcontracter has purchased a high-performance 5-axis machining centre with integrated pallet changer to guarantee part accuracy and quality and reduce lead times and costs

Northwich, UK-based precision engineering specialist J E B Precision has recently invested in a Mikron UCP 600 Vario - a high-performance 5-axis machining centre with integrated pallet changer - from Agie Charmilles. The machine, installed within J E B’s new, purpose-built 1350m2 facility in November 2005 - is already helping the company increase its productivity and improve its competitiveness.

J E B Precision is a privately owned company that was created in 1974 that now employs 21 staff across its production, assembly, inspection and administration departments.

The company manufactures a diverse range of complex, high-precision parts and components for numerous advanced hi-tech industries and sectors.

The components produced by J E B are predominantly made from aluminium, stainless steel, engineering polymers, alloys etc They are used in the manufacture of scientific instruments, medical devices, robots, computer and electronic systems and electro-optical equipment.

Despite such diversity - the high-end nature of J E B’s work means that there are a number of common manufacturing imperatives and issues that constantly confront the company.

These include the following.
Further reading

CNC wire EDM expands tooling inserts range
Manufacturer of tooling inserts has invested in a wire-EDM machine tool to broaden the variety of inserts offered in polycrystalline diamond and natural diamond materials

Five-axis machining produces complex parts
Direct drive, rotary torque tables on the latest 5-axis machining centres give fast and responsive 3+2 (positional) or simultaneous, highly accurate 5-axis machining

Affordable wire-EDM has flexibility
An affordable wire-EDM machine delivers reliable spark performance, flexibility, simplicity in programming, ease of work preparation and an aesthetic design, all at an attractive price

* Guaranteeing part accuracy and quality.

* Reducing manufacturing lead times and costs.

* Ensuring the commercial viability of producing precision parts in small-to-medium batches.

To ensure that J E B maintains its competitive advantage - the company has a healthy and strategic approach to investing in the latest, and most advanced, machine tool technologies.

The investment in the Mikron UCP 600 Vario is evidence of this approach.

Says J E B’s engineering manager, Steve Bebbington: ‘Although the Mikron machine represents a significant investment for us - it forms part of a continuous improvement policy.

This means that that we are always on the look out for technology that can improve our productivity and performance.

The nature of our work - producing high-precision parts in small batches - means that we need machine tools that can cope with these demands.

That is why the Vario was purchased.’ The Mikron UCP 600 Vario is helping J E B Precision achieve a step-change in performance.

5-axis and 5-face machining capability means that J E B can now manufacture parts quicker than it did before.

Jobs that previously required numerous set-ups and associated fixturing can now be completed in one hit.

For example - a stainless steel stator that previously required 10 different milling operations to complete is now being manufactured, on the Vario, in just two operations - meaning a 60% saving in time to manufacture the part.

The use of 5-axis and 5-face machining strategies not only helps J E B improve its productivity and reduce its costs - it also ensures better part accuracy as well.

But it is not just the Vario’s 5-axis capability that is generating such productivity improvements.

The Vario’s integrated 7 station automatic pallet changer means that J E B literally has a high-performance, flexible milling manufacturing cell at its disposal.

Prototypes, ‘one-offs’ and small batch production can be machined efficiently and cost-effectively using the Vario’s integrated pallet change capability.

The machine’s APC facility significantly reduces operator involvement beyond initial job set-up and also minimises the problems associated with ’stop-start’ production.

Continued Bebbington: ‘We knew that the combined effects of the Vario’s 5-axis capability and the machine’s integrated pallet changer would have a dramatic and positive impact on our performance.

The fact that the Vario was also compact and came equipped with the latest spindle technology and generous ATC - not to mention the Heidenhain iTNC 530 control - all contributed to the purchase decision.’

High-performance 5-axis machining centres are making a significant contribution to a subcontractor’s ability to provide advanced manufacturing services to aerospace and defence industries

Inflite Engineering Services Limited (IES), part of the SWAN Group of companies, has recently made a significant investment in Agie Charmilles’ advanced manufacturing technologies. The investment, completed this summer (2005), has seen the installation of four Mikron high-performance 5-axis machining centres at the company’s new, purpose-built facility located at London Stansted Airport, UK.

The Mikron machines purchased by IES are: one UCP 600; two UCP 800 (Duro’s) and one UCP 1350.

In just a few months these Mikron machines are making a significant contribution to Inflites ability to provide advanced subcontract manufacturing services and solutions to the world’s Aerospace and Defence Industries.

In particular the machines, through their high-performance 5-axis capability, are helping the company significantly reduce its manufacturing lead times and costs whilst, at the same time, improving part accuracy and surface finish.

* Inflite Group - privately-owned, UK-based IES is a key, Tier 1 supplier in the global aerospace MRO (Manufacture, Repair and Overhaul) sub-sector.

It manufactures a wide range of spare and replacement parts (wing, fuselage, undercarriage etc) for fixed and rotary wing aircraft.
Further reading

Flood damaged wire EDMs replaced quickly
Areas of the UK suffered severe flooding in 2007 and a badly-hit EDM subcontractor had to replace its machines very quickly, aided by the UK subsidiary of a Swiss wire EDM machine builder

CNC wire EDM expands tooling inserts range
Manufacturer of tooling inserts has invested in a wire-EDM machine tool to broaden the variety of inserts offered in polycrystalline diamond and natural diamond materials

Five-axis machining produces complex parts
Direct drive, rotary torque tables on the latest 5-axis machining centres give fast and responsive 3+2 (positional) or simultaneous, highly accurate 5-axis machining

Some 70% of IES’ business comes from the manufacture of replacement and spare parts for military aircraft - the remaining 30% from the commercial aircraft sector.

IES and sister company, Aerospace Surface Treatments (AST), are the design, machining, fabrication, electrical loom manufacture, component repair and surface treatment divisions of Inflite Group.

The Inflite Group itself provides a unique and wide-ranging subcontract service.

The Group provides total system solutions to aircraft OEMs and prime suppliers in the supply of replacement components and parts to customer’s specification.

Typically these services include - design of tooling, procurement of raw materials, machining and special processes, testing, certification, packing and distribution.

* Inflight engineering services - the MRO sector is highly-competitive and pressure on part manufacturers is intense.

Reduced lead times and stringent delivery schedules for replacement parts are par for the course.

The commercial realities facing the civil aviation sector dictate that the effects of AOG (Aircraft on Ground) are minimized.

The same situation exists for military aircraft with constant operational readiness being a self-evident necessity.

To ensure that such tight delivery deadlines are always met - Inflite has continuously upgraded its manufacturing capabilities and production processes.

An integral element in this strategy, and a key to IES’ success, is the company’s prudent investment in the latest and most advanced machine tool technologies.

The company’s investment in the four Mikron 5-axis machines is tangible evidence of Inflite’s investment strategy.

The advantages from embracing 5-axis milling technology are well documented and Inflite benefits from all of them.

Less time spent on job setups, work-holding and reduced operator interventions - all ensure the quicker turnaround of parts and reduced lead times.

This is particularly important when these parts are required in small batches (sometimes ‘one-offs’) - which is the case with much of IES’ work.

5-axis capability ensures that Inflite maintains a high degree of manufacturing flexibility.

Unwanted machine downtime is minimized which means that more profitable time is spent on machining components.

Depending on the specification and complexity of the part - Inflite can, with the Mikron machines, adopt 5-face or side machining in a single setup or, for even more improved productivity, machine the part in five axes, simultaneously.

Fast, reliable and generous tool change capability and the latest spindle technology, available on all Mikron machines, plus the powerful Heidenhain iTNC 530 control - all combine to ensure high levels of productivity and machining efficiency.

Quality in the MRO sector is quite clearly critical too.

Replacement parts have to perform - there are no second chances.

This situation too has dictated that Inflite invests in the’ best-in-class’ machine tools.

Replacement parts, manufactured from a variety of materials - aluminium, titanium, special steels, exotic alloys, etc, are often characterized by their complexity and high-precision.

Guaranteed accuracy and repeatability are critical - as is the surface finish and integrity of the machined part.

The Mikron machines provide Inflite with both high material removal machining capability (roughing) and super-fine finishing - obviating, in many instances, the need for secondary operations.

All Mikron 5-axis machines have a portal construction and built from polymer concrete which, because of its rigidity and damping characteristics, means that machining operations are less affected by vibration and thermal distortion.

Machining a part in one set-up (i e, using 5-axis capability), also improves accuracy as jobs do not require multi-clamping and un-clamping operations to be performed.

Said Jim Trott, commercial manager at IES: ‘Acquiring 5-axis machining capability was important to us as a route to maintaining our competitive advantage.

The Mikron machines are helping us improve our performance and productivity.

They are reliable - they give us the part accuracy and repeatability we demand - and they give us a high degree of manufacturing flexibility.’ * A case in point: parachute mechanism - the replacement part illustrated below is typical of the components manufactured by Inflite.

Prior to the installation of the Mikron machines - this part required nine different machining operations and job setups as it moved from initial turning from solid - through to a number of 3-axis milling operations - before being completed on a turning centre.

Machining this part on a Mikron machine has reduced the number of operations significantly.

From the initial turning operation - all milling operations are now performed in a single set-up using the 5-axis capability of the Mikron machines.

The total number of operations and setups has been reduced to just 3 - which has, as a consequence, also reduced the time required to manufacture the part by over 50%.

High Volume, High Quality CNC Turning Machine Tools

Designed for the economic high volume one hit production of high accuracy components, the Muratec Murata MW Series feature twin spindles, twin chucks and high speed twin gantries for rapid load / unload operations and come fully automated as standard. There are currently in excess of 4,000 MW machines installed throughout the world.

Flexibility, reliability, high volume production and quality are standard features of all Muratec Murata products - making them a firm favourite with high volume component makers the world over, and it may surprise you to learn that not all the customers for Muratec Murata products make solely round components.

The capabilities and sheer flexibility of these outstanding machine tools are such that many users choose to throw some pretty unusual jobs at them - unusual for a lathe at any rate.

Both forward facing spindles are fitted with a 210mm chuck, and are driven by 7.5kW motors to a maximum speed of 4,500rpm.
Further reading

Advanced 5-axis machining is unmanned
Intended for precision 250mm diameter x 250mm component manufacturers, an advanced 5-axis machining system, with 40 pallets allows long unmanned operation

Toolholders offer high speed machining accuracy
CNC machine tool spindle toolholding products for high speed machining, suit the most arduous machining environments that require proven tooling and absolute accuracy

An 11kW spindle drive is available as an option.

There are two eight station turrets (12 option) and each of the integrated robot loaders - one for each spindle - feature a dual gripper and a swivel head that can accommodate a wide array of component sizes and shapes.

Each unit accommodates two parts (blank and machined component) up to 120mm in diameter x 80mm long and weighing up to 3kg.

The traverse speeds are 150m/min left and right, 110m/min up and down and 35m/min forward and backwards.

These outstanding machines have been designed to provide maximum flexibility of operation by working as separate machines or with transfer between chucks for first and second operations.

Muratec Murata are an established world leader not only for cost effective, high volume turning machines but also for full automation and long periods of unmanned running.

Muratec Murata products are supplied and fully supported in the UK and Eire by Matsuura Machinery PLC; with service, applications and training support functions all being undertaken by Muratec Murata trained Matsuura Service Engineers.

A V8 cylinder block, machined from solid in one hit and possessing a near perfect surface finish was machined in a 5-axis machining centre working to tight tolerances

At the UK’s autosport International 2007 (January 11 and 12 2007 NEC Birmingham), Matsuura will exhibit a V8 cylinder block, machined from solid in one hit and possessing a near perfect surface finish. Programmed by Japan’s NTS and machined on their Matsuura 5-axis MAM72-63V, as demonstrations go for machine tool companies, this has to be one of the most impressive to witness.

The whole process involved 51 tools and took a shade under 120h of continuous 5-axis cutting to complete.

The Matsuura MAM72-63V is from our globally acclaimed 5-axis series, and was developed with motorsport / automotive manufacturers and subcontractors firmly in mind, to give them a simultaneous 5-axis machine that can work to very tight tolerances on large, complex components - in one loading.

Matsuura have placed a number of MAM72-63V machines with motorsport concerns globally, including the Honda F1 Racing Team based in the UK.

A free ‘edited highlights’ DVD is available of the V8 being machined on the MAM72-63V.

Anyone based in the UK or Eire wishing to order a copy please contact.

A horizontal/vertical 5-axis milling centre for high-power machining of titanium, SS and alloyed steels, has high torque at the spindle and very high-volume metal removal rates

Alert in meeting requirements from the most technologically advanced markets and re-confirming the tradition of innovation that distinguishes its entire range of products, Jobs introduces Tarkus: the new horizontal/vertical milling centre for high-power machining with high torque at the spindle, characterised by very high-volume chip removal capability.

The machine has been specifically conceived to perform the 5-axis high-power and high-torque machining operations of components in very tough materials: such as titanium, stainless and special steel and alloy steel.

Tarkus presents an exclusive architecture with fixed gantry in X-axis and mobile gantry in Z-axis with a medium-large working envelope and can be easily customized to meet end users’ specific needs.

Tarkus was studied down to the smallest detail to enable Jobs customers to exploit both high power and spindle torque (37kW and 1300Nm in continuous) and high performance dynamics: the leading edge for this machine class.

The whole machine structure is made of steel weldment, in order to reduce moving masses and consequently improve machine dynamic performances.

Z-axis movement is assured by a vertically moving crossbeam: this choice was made to grant an extremely high and almost constant rigidity all along Z stroke (1000mm).
Further reading

Vertical machining centre has swivelling head
A 5-axis vertical machining centre features a thermally stabilised head with motor spindle that swivels about the B-axis, while the fifth CNC axis is provided by a horizontal rotary table

Five-axis vertical machining centre is affordable
Offering simultaneous 5-axis machining at an affordable price, a vertical machining centre gives maximum versatility, as the trunnion table can be quickly, and easily, removed for 3-axis work

Five-axis machining produces complex parts
Direct drive, rotary torque tables on the latest 5-axis machining centres give fast and responsive 3+2 (positional) or simultaneous, highly accurate 5-axis machining

The particular architecture of Y-axis saddle allows to reach the part to be machined in depth without risking collision with the crossbeam.

Specific attention has been paid to the design of machine columns, resulting in a clearance of 2050mm, which allows to work large-sized parts within a restricted overall width of only 3450mm.

The machine can be equipped with a continuous 5-axis milling head available in two different versions: mechanically driven with hydraulic clamping and rotation speed up to 4000 or 6000 rev/min or with interchangeable electric spindle motors up to 24000 rev/min.

The peculiar fork shape of the head combined with the spindle axis off-set positioning allow to increase the operating volume by an extra 500mm with respects to the X- and Y-axis strokes (i e, 3300 + 500mm, 2100 + 500mm).

The A (-15 deg/+120 deg) and C (endless) axes are equipped with a top-rate hydraulic break system assuring the necessary clamping torque (10000 Nm), to carry out the most demanding 3-axis operations.

The table offering remarkable dimensional (3000x1500mm) and loading capabilities assures the highest ergonomics.

The machine configuration with double table enables two pieces to be worked by pendular machining.

Other noteworthy solutions include synchronized operation and work piece change in masked time.

The result is an innovative, high-performance milling centre whose main features include: high-volume removal capability; structural rigidity and high damping capability of vibrations; high dynamics in terms of acceleration and speed; axis strokes: X=3000mm/Y=2100mm /Z=1000mm; constant precision on the whole operating volume; 5-axis mechanically driven milling head (37kW, 1300Nm, 4000 or 6000 Rrev/min), or, as an alternative, with interchangeable electric spindle motors up to 24000 rev/min; high configurability and compactness; production automation; machine full enclosure and reduced foundation requirements.

Linear motor powered axes drives are used in a 5-axis vertical machining centre, using a pivoting/rotating table fitted with torque motors, for machining medium sized workpieces

On the occasion of the 25th Italian Bi-Mu exhibition, EmcoFamup presented its new 5-axis milling centre ‘Linearmill 600 HD’. The machine offers to cut medium-sized workpieces simultaneously over five axes by the use of a pivoting- rotating table fitted with torque motors, linked with the three cartesian axes driven by linear motors.

Fields of application: medical engineering, automobile and electrical engineering industries, astronautics and aeronautic engineering.

The machine structure is of a classical floor-type.

The geometrical design of the sides keeps the distances between spindle nose and linear guides very much contained in order to reduce deformation to a minimum.
Further reading

Five-axis machining produces complex parts
Direct drive, rotary torque tables on the latest 5-axis machining centres give fast and responsive 3+2 (positional) or simultaneous, highly accurate 5-axis machining

Machining centres offer precise 5-axis milling
Latest additions to a range of precise, rigid, 5-axis horizontal machining centres now include two additional models for machining of smaller workpieces at high productivity rates

The X carriage is designed in such a way, that the thrusts generated by the continuous magnetically attraction of the linear drive, stressing on the shoes, are distributed uniformly on the three cartesian directions to attenuate the axis movement.

The headstock is also equipped with pneumatic weight compensation and an emergency brake system, which keeps the headstock in its original position in case of sudden voltage drops.

Furthermore the X-Y-Z axes are fitted with pressurized optical scales.

The back coupling system of the rotating axes however consists in absolute encoders, fitted directly on the axis of motion.

The standard set-up of the machine includes the following.

* Automatic tool-change magazine, random type, with double tool-change arm and 40 stations (optional 60).

* Motor spindle, max.

speed 15.000 rev/min, spindle taper HSK63 A.

Maximum motor power (S6) 35kW with 120Nm torque at 2.800 rev/min.

Optional motor spindle 30.000 rev/min with maximum power (S6) 26kW.

The rapid traverse speeds are about 60m/min, with 1G acceleration (X-Y-Z).

The rotating axes (axes B and C) are designed to reach speeds up to 100 rev/min on the table axis and up to 50 rev/min on the tilting axis, with maximum load of 600kg.

The motor spindle and all axes motors (linear-rotating) are liquid cooled by a chiller placed on the outside of the machine cabinet.

The machine is equipped with a chip tank with extractable drawer for manual cleaning, a chip conveyer is available as option.