Published 2/23/2015

Five-Axis Jig Boring and Milling Machine for Die-Mold

Available from Methods Machine Tools, the Yasda YBM Vi40 five-axis vertical jig boring and milling machine is intended for high-accuracy hard milling of complex dies, molds and components.

Edited by: Stephanie Hendrixson

Executive Editor, Additive Manufacturing

Available from Methods Machine Tools, the Yasda YBM Vi40 five-axis vertical jig boring and milling machine is intended for high-accuracy hard milling of complex dies, molds and components. The vertical CNC machine is suitable for use in industries including aerospace, defense, automotive, medical, electronics and more. According to the supplier, the machining center produces high-quality surface finishes that do not require secondary finishing operations. Five-sided machining is possible with a single setup. The machine’s 3+2 and 4+1 machining capabilities reduce the number of operations required.

The X-, Y- and Z-axis travels measure 35.4" × 19.7" x 17.7" (900 x 500 x 450 mm). The machine also offers 360 degrees vertical rotation and ±100 degrees horizontal rotation. According to Methods, the machine offers simultaneous five-axis cone machining circularity of 2.32 microns, Y-axis positioning accuracy of 0.89 microns, and indexing accuracies of ±0.50 sec. on the B axis and ±0.20 sec. on the C axis. The symmetric bridge-type structure is said to provide high precision when making heavy cuts. The single-piece, high-grade cast iron construction with the column and top beam increases rigidity. A feed drive system with large-diameter ballscrews and high-speed interpolation control promotes rigidity.

A 40-taper direct-drive spindle offers precision at speeds ranging to 24,000 rpm. The spindle is equipped with bearing preload self-adjusting capabilities said to provide the optimum preload at the full range of spindle speeds, with a preload that decreases according to the amount of heat generated by the spindle bearing. An automatic toolchanger holds 60 tools, with an option available for 100 tools. The machining center is controlled with a FANUC FS31i-B5 control, and the CAMplete TruePath software enables analysis, modification, optimization and simulation of five-axis tool paths in an integrated 3D environment.