Small Aerospace Parts Production; 5-Axis Horizontal Machining Center

As aerospace manufacturing continues to ramp up in North America, the need has arisen for a “right-sized” 5-axis horizontal machining center for complex aluminum aerospace parts.

The a61nx-5E offers an appropriately sized design for small components featuring 3D contours without compromising the highly productive spindle performance and 5-axis capabilities of larger aerospace machines.

Featuring the same robust design and proven reliability of the smaller nx-Series horizontal machining centers, but with the added speed and performance of larger MAG-Series machines, the a61nx-5E machine differentiates itself from similar 5-axis horizontal platforms with an innovative pallet-change system, advanced twin direct-drive rotary table design, and availability of a high-power 24,000rpm spindle. The result is a highly productive solution that can provide up to 310in3 of metal removal per minute.

Enhanced rigidity is provided through a three-point bed casting and tiered column structure, with X-, Y-, and Z-axis travels of 730mm (28.7"), 730mm (28.7"), and 680mm (26.8"), respectively. Linear acceleration is 1G on the X- and Y-axis, and 0.8" the Z-axis. The direct-drive rotary tables offer improved access to all sides of a part, especially when using shorter tools – yielding improved performance and accuracy. A closed-loop thermal management system ensures reliability and accuracy by removing heat generated by the large direct-drive rotary table motors. The a61nx-5E also uses the same proven tool magazines as the nx-Series of machines with a ring-style ATC60 as standard. Optional matrix magazines with capacities of 133, 218, or 313 are available options.

The unit comes equipped with a standard 14,000rpm spindle with 240Nm of duty-rated torque and 30kW of duty-rated output. This configuration is suited for the premium job shop needing a 5-axis platform to machine a wide variety of materials.

An optional 24,000rpm high-speed spindle offers the aluminum roughing and finishing capabilities that are typically associated with much larger MAG machines into a smaller platform, enabling cycle-time reductions of 45% to 50% in complex parts, when compared to a typical 20,000rpm high-speed spindle.

The pallet changer eliminates material-handling challenges by enabling operator-friendly part loading and unloading via a 45° pivot point that transfers pallets from a vertical to horizontal orientation. The loading height is 32" off of the floor to improve safety at the loading station. Workpiece limitations are 600mm × 385mm (23.62" × 15.15"), accommodating easy crane clearance through the doors. For customers wishing to add automation to their 5-axis machining, this pallet-change system is fully compatible with the manufacturer’s MMC-R robotic fixture plate distribution system.