New additions to 5-axis portfolio

Hinckley-based 2D CNC Machinery has extended its 5-axis portfolio with the addition of two new machines.

OKK’s HM-X6000, 5-axis horizontal machining centre has a maximum workpiece capacity of 750mm diameter by 700mm high with the part carried on a fully integrated 600mm pallet system to feed its trunnion unit.

The trunnion has a 360° B-axis and A-axis tilt between +20/-110°which moves into and out of the machining zone on the 820mm Z-axis to perform loading/unloading and machining cycles.

This configuration of the 20 tonne machine minimises floor space which requires a footprint of just 5,430mm by 3,905mm with the column moving right and left through the 1,050mm X-axis. Y-axis travel is 900mm and rapid traverse rates available are up to 75m/minute in each main axis.

Positioning accuracy in X-, Y- and Z-axes is ±0.002mm over the complete axis travel with a repeatability of ±0.001. When optional linear scales are specified, these levels of accuracy are improved to ±0.001mm and ±0.005mm. Circularity capability of the rotary table is within 0.005mm.

The OKK HM-X6000 is a highly rigid precision horizontal machine design with the ability to incorporate turning cycles using up to 10rpm on the A-axis and 33.3rpm rotation of the B-axis of the trunnion.

The main 30kW, BT50 taper spindle has some 600Nm of torque and spindle speeds available are between 35 and 12,000rpm. Tool to tool exchange is fast at two seconds from the 40 tool magazine with options up to 236 tool positions. Control is via Fanuc 31i-A5.

Significant in the performance is the machine’s rigidity. Here, a highly rigid dual-disc clamp is utilised for the trunnion table giving a retaining force of over 10,000Nm for the A-axis and 6,000Nm for the B-axis. Double hydraulic and mechanical clamps are used to secure the pallet on the trunnion which is held with a force of 2,900Nm.

Steeply inclined shutters are used to ensure chips are flushed clear from the cutting zone with the availability of ceiling shower nozzles. Twin swarf conveyors are mounted on either side of the table to ensure effective removal of material.

Next up is the latest addition to the successful Reiden RX-series of combination 5-axis universal milling and turning machining centres. The new RX12 incorporates Reiden’s patented double-drive spindle technology (DDT) with the new machine developed around Hydropol, a highly rigid specialised concrete and steel composite for the bed and column that can be completely recycled.

The machine has axis travels of 1,300mm in X, 1,450mm in Y, and 1,000mm in Z with rapid traverse rates of 50m/minute. In addition, the A-axis for the spindle is 0 to 90° to enable horizontal and vertical cutter positions with the 1,200mm diameter rotary table which has a swing of 1,200mm and rotates through a programmable gearless drive at up to 400rpm.

The construction of the RX12 around its Hydropol composite provides high orders of inherent stability. It absorbs vibration and has significant levels of dynamic stiffness. In producing the composite against a normal cast iron frame, 30% less primary energy is used and CO2 levels are 66% lower.

As a result of the construction, both 5-axis milling and turning operations can be integrated into a single machine setting and benefit from Reiden’s patented spindle DDT development. The spindle is able to swivel between horizontal and vertical planes within one second and the slim head design has pneumatic clamping to hold position when used for turning cycles in conjunction with the direct drive rotary table. This table has automatic imbalance detection and counterweights to minimise vibration.

The DDT spindle concept uses two separate motors built into the same housing which are connected via a bevel gear drive coupling arrangement. According to the machine program, hydraulic power is used to engage or disengage the higher torque system which also enables the unused drive to freewheel.

A hybrid bearing system is hydraulically pre-loaded to support the higher torque drive and the spindle head is water cooled through a specifically designed labyrinth of channels. The spindle arrangement has through tool coolant supply.

There are also more conventional spindle options of an 84kW,12,000rpm with 452Nm of torque, 38kW 16,000rpm 135 Nm, 29kW 5,700rpm with 293Nm and 7,300rpm with 29kW and 229Nm of torque. There are options of tool magazine pockets of 65, 73, 173,191 and 273.

Control is via either Heidenhain TNC 640 or Siemens 840D sI. A pallet system is also available with options of two or five pallets each 1,200mm by 1,000mm or a linear storage system can be specified.

With the launch of the RX12 to expand the Reiden RX range of 5-axis universal machining centres, machining volumes for the RX10, RX14 and RX18 have X-axis travels between 1,000mm and 2,200mm, Y-axes between 1,100mm and 1,800mm and Z-axes from 810mm to 2,200mm.

2D CNC Machinery www.2DCNC.co.uk