Five-Axis Horizontal Machining Cell Carries 174 Tools

Kitamura Machinery’s five-axis Supercell-300G horizontal manufacturing cell features a 20-station automatic pallet changer (APC) with work ID system and a 174-tool, matrix-style toolchanger.

Packing 20 pallets (or an optional 80 pallets) into a 151" footprint, the Supercell-300G can run small- to medium-size parts completely unattended. The cell’s integrated work ID system employs an IC chip on each pallet, enabling storage and communication of pallet work data to the pallet scheduling submenu. Pallet table size is 200 mm (7.9") in diameter, with a maximum height of 200 mm (7.9"). The integrated design of the pallet pool system enables access to and visibility of all pallets simultaneously. The cell’s automatic work handling robot reduces pallet load and unload times and facilitates just-in-time production of a varied mix of parts.  

The machine’s 360-degree rotary table tilts 30 to 120 degrees on an A-axis trunnion. The fourth and fifth axes employ precision roller gear cam technology, along with a hydraulic clamping system designed for five-axis simultaneous machining.             

The 20,000-rpm, dual-contact spindle is designed to handle exotic materials common to the aerospace and medical industries. 

The 174-tool, matrix-style toolchanger magazine (up to 314 tools available) handles tools up to 350 mm (13.7") in length, 150 mm (5.9") in diameter and 10 kg (22 lbs) in weight. Tool-change time is 1.3 seconds. Other features and capabilities include linear scale feedback in all axes, high speed rapid feed rates of 60 m/min. (2,362 ipm), 67 million pulse encoder technology and Kitamura’s original icon driven Arumatik-Mi CNC. Positioning accuracy is ±0.002 mm (0.000079") full stroke, and repeatability is ±0.001 mm (0.000039"). 

Compared to a vertical spindle configuration, a horizontal design improves rigidity and workpiece accessibility and chip management. Better chip management translates to improved accuracy, surface finish, part change-over time and tool life.