Subtle differences

Renowned for its comprehensive range of horizontal machining centres, Heller Machine Tools has announced the global launch of the company's F Series 5-axis machines.

Following the recent successful introduction of the H Series, the new F Series will add four, high quality 5-axis machining centres, containing SK 40 and HSK 63 spindle tapers, to the Heller portfolio. Increasing the new machines' appeal, the new 5-axis line up provides potential customers with the option of choosing between two efficient machine configurations.

Heller premium models FP 2000 and FP 4000, 5-axis machining centres include the provision of rapid pallet changers and are designed to deliver high levels of productivity. The cost-effective FT 2000 and FT 4000 variants feature easy to access workpiece support tables.

Both machine types, FP and FT feature the same axis arrangement as the H series, with a rotary table B axis, and provide an optimum balance between rigidity and accessibility. The 2000 models offer a generous work area of 630mm x 630mm x 830mm, whilst the two 4000 models provide an increased capacity of 800mm x 800mm x 1,000mm.

Heller reports that the new models are more than adaptations of the H machines. Although the machines use many components from Heller's proven modular building block system, the F Series' robust machine structure and axis configuration are specifically designed to meet the demanding requirements of 5-axis machining in terms of performance and reliability.

At the core of the F Series is the range's innovative spindle technology and customers can choose between three different designs across all models – a power cutting universal spindle PCU 63, for high performance cutting, a speed cutting unit SCU 63 and a speed cutting tilt spindle SCT 63, for speed cutting with a fork head.

Whilst the two swivel head units offer a number of advantages for the complete machining of cubic parts, the fork head is ideal for machining contoured surfaces. The F series not only provides flexibility in terms of machining strategy, it also has an adaptable tool management system that can be tailored to customer's requirements. Each machining centre is equipped with a standard tool magazine that can be extended to more than 400 storage places and oversize or extra long tools can be accommodated.

Heller
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