Machining Center With Automatic Head Change Available
A manufacturer investing in a UFZ 6 travelling-column, 5-axis machining centre, launched at EMO 2005 by SHW, can specify an X-axis of between three and 30 metres coupled with a vertical Y-axis of from 1.6 to 4.1 metres and a Z-axis of 1.6 metres. The new, German-built machine is available through sole UK agent, Geo Kingsbury Machine Tools, Gosport.
It is equipped with an automatic head change system so that all machining processes from roughing to finishing can be carried out in a single set-up without manual intervention. The SHW universal, 2-axis milling head with its 50 kW / 5,000 rpm spindle delivering up to 700 Nm of torque is used mainly for roughing operations. It has a 360-degree C-axis with a positioning accuracy of ± 3 seconds of arc, while A-axis positioning is from + 90 to - 90 degrees to within ± 2 seconds of arc, there being 64,800 different machining positions.
It is possible to change over automatically to a 26 kW / 25,000 rpm high frequency spindle head or a customer-specific head for finishing operations. The former has fully interpolating, 360 degree C and A axes. A considerable advantage for the user is the slim, tapered construction of the head, allowing machining of narrow contours and pockets on complicated components.
Many different table configurations are possible to suit the type of components being produced. For example, a user may opt for one large, fixed table running the length of the machine, or two smaller tables each providing additional travel in the X-axis. Linear slideways allow very fast movements in all axes for a machine of this size, with acceleration of 2 m/s2 to a maximum rapid traverse rate of 36 m/min.
A one-metre diameter, rotary table can be added at one end of the fixed table to provide an extra CNC axis for machining smaller components, and even this table can be given one to three metres of X-axis movement. There are also indexing head options for machining large, tubular components.
Technical data for the machine includes 50-taper or HSK 100 tooling, up to 150 stations in the tool magazine, and water-cooled drive motors in the Y and Z axes. There is a choice of Siemens, Heidenhain or Fidia control.
SOURCE: Geo Kingsbury Machine Tools Limited