Westec 2001: Bridgeport to announce "XP" line of high- performance machining centers
For 2001, Bridgeport Machines, Inc. plans an aggressive launch of their new XP-Series of vertical machining centers (VMC). Distinguished by their quality construction and high performance characteristics, the XP-Series already enjoys a great deal of success as the best selling VMC in the UK, where it is manufactured in Bridgeport's state-of-the art ISO 9001 Leicester, England production facility. This new line of machining centers complements Bridgeport's value conscious XV-Series VMCs, which debuted at Westec 2000.
With a profiled acceleration of 6m/sec² and rapid traverse rates as high as 1575 IPM, the XP-Series performance characteristics are the best in their class. Each machine is subjected to a complete Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to maximize the structural strength, and more importantly, the dynamic performance. This analysis shows how the machine performs under the impacting cutter loads and the structural stiffness of each component. By using the information to employ lighter weight components, quicker acceleration and deceleration is achieved, without unacceptable forces.
Hardened and ground tool steel slideways are matted to the rigid cast iron frame in the X, Y, and Z-axis of the machining centers. The slide ways surfaces are coated with Turcite and hand scraped to achieve high accuracy and good retention of lubricating oil, essential for a long life. The castings are produced to the International Standard BS 1452 – 1990 Grade 250 cast iron, and provide excellent mechanical and thermal stability with effective vibration damping characteristics.
The XP-Series utilizes the next generation of digital drives and controls producing tighter control loops, smoother motor control and better reliability. True high-speed contouring, with excellent reproduction of the workpiece contours, is the result. The response speed of the machine is faster, allowing consistent, accurate positioning of the cutting tool. Programmed shapes are followed more closely with a faster feed rate.
The Bridgeport-enhanced Fanuc control closes the loop on the complete digital solution. First, Bridgeport's FastOP speeds and simplifies set-up routines, allowing multiple functions to be completed with a single keystroke. Second, a more flexible PCMCIA card slot adds unlimited memory along with high speed DNC drip feed. Complex production programs like those used for mold making can be run without data starvation. Third, Advanced Integrated Contour Control high speed machining software is standard. Heidenhain TNC contouring control systems are also available.
Thermal monitoring is essential to the productivity of high speed machining, and Bridgeport is on the cutting edge with its patented Dynamic Thermal Compensation Strip. The Dynamic Thermal Compensation Strip with thermistor technology generates real time monitoring and feedback of temperature changes to assure the optimum thermal stability. The thermistor strip attached to the spindle head interfaces directly with the CNC and dynamically updates machine axes.
For added productivity, Bridgeport offers their award winning 30-tool, side mount tool changer. This lightweight, rapid response toolchanger increases pocket life and reduces maintenance costs while speeding up tool changes chip-to-chip to less than 4 seconds. Using FEA, a very modular lightweight system of engineered thermoplastic was designed for speed and flexibility for rapid setup.
In addition to introducing the XP-Series at WESTEC, Bridgeport will be showcasing a new pendant and software enhancements to their EZ Trak automatic milling machine, linear scales on their EZ Surf automatic surface grinder, improvements to the XV-Series Vertical Machining Centers (VMC), and two new special edition versions of the famous Series I Standard turret milling machine. The all-new HTC Turning Centers, EZ Path automatic lathe, and popular Bridgeport Denim and other Cool Stuff merchandise will also be on display.
For more information, visit WESTC booth #3201, or contact Bridgeport Machines, Inc., (203) 367-3651, www.bpt.com.
Bridgeport Machines, Inc., 500 Lindley St., Bridgeport, CT 06606 USA.
Source: Bridgeport Machines