Improved 5-axis accuracy, productivity and versatility

Heller has introduced a second generation of its HF-series of 5-axis, horizontal-spindle machining centres (HMCs), which it is marketing under the slogan 'Be A Performer'.

The HF 3500 and HF 5500 incorporate a multitude of improvements that may be examined via the company's website along with details of the recently introduced fourth generation of Heller H-Series 4-axis HMC. All machines are available in the UK and Ireland through the German firm's subsidiary in Redditch, where both of the HF machines are assembled as well as many of the H-series models.

Since their launch in 2016, the robust, dynamic, 5-axis models have been available with a fixed table or an automatic pallet changer. The working volume of the HF 3500 remains at 710 x 750 x 710mm, but the larger model has gained 30mm in the Z-axis, so travels are now 900 x 950 x 930mm. Both machines are available with either an HSK-A63 or HSK-A100 tool interface and in three versions known as Power, Speed, and the new option of Pro. The latter is intended for long periods of simultaneous 5-axis machining.

Designed to raise cutting performance, innovations in the second generation include an approximate halving of the minimum distance between the spindle nose and the centreline of the 225° swivelling trunnion; the availability of twin motors and ballscrew drives for moving the trunnion/rotary table assembly in the Z-axis, with position feedback via linear scales; and the offer of six new spindles produced in an automated facility at Heller's headquarters in Nürtingen. As before, a column travelling over the bed executes the X-axis motion, while Y-axis movement is performed by the spindle head moving up and down the column.

Other notable improvements in Gen2 machines include increased stiffness of key components, shorter chip-to-chip times and faster tool change from a chain-type magazine with up to 240 pockets or a rack-type magazine with up to 405 positions.

The high-end Pro package additionally offers 10m/s² acceleration in X, Y and Z. The guideways employ linear roller bearings, enabling high dynamics and rapids up to 90m/minute, while the rotary axes have direct drives and stable YRT bearings. There is also increased feed force in the Z-axis, dynamic motors driving the rotary axes and the option of adding a turning function using a high-speed rotary torque table.

Maximum table load has been increased on the HF 3500. It is now 650kg on the Pro and up from 400kg to 550kg on the Speed to match the standard Power model. Information on the mass of each pallet and fixtured component can be entered into the pallet management software. This is especially beneficial when configuring a flexible manufacturing system linked by multi-pallet storage from Fastems or Erowa.

It enables automatic monitoring of load weight so that rapid traverse in the Z-axis can automatically be reduced for heavier loads. The dynamics of the rotary axes may be similarly adjusted when the pallet weight is high. An integrated, five-point media interface with 80 bar or 200 bar hydraulic pressure is provided to actuate fixtures in the work area and feed data back to the control.

The use of stainless steel in the machine construction, notably in the working area and the tool and workpiece setting stations, enhances durability. Steep side walls promote efficient evacuation of swarf. LED lighting has been improved in all operator areas and a camera can be integrated above the tool change door. Easy access to the working area, a short distance from the front of the machine to the spindle and a low component loading height ensure ergonomic machine operation.

Regarding the spindles, new is the availability a pair of DC (dynamic cutting) universal direct-drive motor spindles, HSK-A63/16,000rpm/56 kW/180Nm and an HSK-A100/12,000rpm/45kW/400Nm spindle. There is also a PC (power cutting) spindle rated at HSK-A100/10,000rpm/45kW/360Nm and an HSK-A100/13,000rpm/45kW/228Nm SC (speed cutting) spindle.

Two further spindles with an HSK-A63 interface are rated at 12,000rpm/45kW/228 Nm (PC) and 18,000rpm/45kW/103 Nm (SC). To minimise non-productive times, Heller has succeeded in achieving a big reduction in run-up times for the new spindles, maximum revolutions are now reached in 1.4 seconds for the HSK-A63 variants and 1.8 seconds for HSK-A100.

All feature Heller's Zero-Spindle system for rapid interchangeability, leading to maximum machine availability coupled with low service costs. All of the manufacturer's compact spindles feature ease of servicing and integrated leakage checking to prevent damage. A facing slide system for internal boring and external turning is available, with control of the requisite U-axis already integrated into the machine's Siemens Sinumerik 840D SL control.

Heller4Industry functions are used for enhancing production efficiency and for machine monitoring. The optional software suite is universally applicable from a single machine with or without a network connection, through multi-machine sites, to multi-site operations with cloud-base communication.

The standard umati (universal machine technology interface) enables machine and production data acquisition. Additional monitoring of potential collisions, energy consumption, axis wear, spindle condition and tool overload and breakage are all application options.

Heller
www.heller.biz/uk