UNIVERSAL MACHINING CENTRE HAS INNOVATIVE SPINDLE HEAD

A new, universal machining centre that combines the benefits of horizontal- and vertical-spindles machines has been launched by the German manufacturer, Hermle, and is available through sole UK agent, Geo Kingsbury Machine Tools, Gosport.

The design of the spindle head is unusual, helping to reduce cycle times when machining in universal mode... Hermle’s geometric and rotational centres, by contrast, are separated so that swivelling the head to the horizontal does not move the spindle upwards in Z, avoiding having to reclamp the part.

Available in 3-, 4- and 5-axis versions, the U 740 is ideal for tool and mould making as well as one-off and small batch production. Metalcutting on five sides of a component is facilitated, as the modular machine may be equipped as required with a CNC rotary table and / or an indexing head. There is a choice of CNC or manual swivel of the spindle head through +5 to –95 degrees, or alternatively the head can be fixed in position.

The design of the spindle head is unusual, helping to reduce cycle times when machining in universal mode. The geometric centre of conventional swivelling heads is at the point of rotation, so the spindle moves away from the table by half the width of the spindle when changing from vertical to horizontal. The result is that a support plate may have to be placed under shallow components so that machining can continue, increasing the overall cycle time. Hermle’s geometric and rotational centres, by contrast, are separated so that swivelling the head to the horizontal does not move the spindle upwards in Z, avoiding having to reclamp the part.

The machine bed is a mineral casting, giving low thermal expansion and excellent shock absorption, which together with other features such as the water-cooled spindle motor results in highly accurate machined components. The U 740 is also fast, offering from 12,000 to 18,000 rpm spindle speed, and linear slideway acceleration at 4 m/s2 to 30 m/min in X and Y, 20 m/min in Z.

Y and Z axis travels are both 500 mm while the X axis is 740 mm, although this can be increased to 915 mm if the 16-station, chain-type tool magazine is swivelled aside, or not fitted at all. It is also possible to specify a 28-station magazine for the 40 taper tools. Clamping area of the fixed table is 900 x 500 mm and maximum table load is 700 kg. Control unit is the very capable Heidenhain iTNC 530.

The new Hermle U 740 universal machining centre / milling machine from Geo Kingsbury.