Hurco Machine-Tending Solutions Support Range of Machining Centers

Hurco Co. Inc. is demonstrating the capabilities of ProCobots automation on several Hurco machines, illustrating a simple setup and the ability to run different jobs through the Hurco control’s Automation Job Manager feature, which can eliminate the need for robot programming. The company says that attendees can see the quick movement of ProCobots from one machine to another, as well as the cobot’s safety features.

Hurco machines are being exhibited at the booths of the following partners:

• Kawasaki Robotics
• Air Turbine Tools
• SolidCAM

ProCobots automation can enable shops to take the time-consuming task of loading/unloading parts off their machinists’ plates, which is said to save time and maximize productivity. The company says that the implementation of ProCobots automation on Hurco CNC machines can expand the skillset of current shopfloor employees, and it can also increase the overall productivity of the shop. When machinists clock out, ProCobots can keep running through the night, which can maximize profits.

Hurco is showcasing the following machines:

TM8MYi: This custom turning center was built to fill the gap between Hurco’s general purpose TM Series and high-performance TMX Series of lathes. The TM8MYi is a slant-bed lathe with live tooling capabilities and a Y-axis, which can make it possible to machine a pocket with straight walls and flat bottoms or perform off-center machining operations simply. It also features a robust and rigid BMT55 turret.

VM One: With a small footprint and large work cube, this mill is designed to be productive and efficiently sized. The VM One offers a 26″ × 16″ × 14″ of XYZ travels and requires 72.5″ × 70.6″ × 87.2″ (W × D × H) of space. This three-axis, general purpose machining center also features a belt-driven, 8,000-rpm, CAT 40, Big Plus spindle.

VM15Di: The VM15Di three-axis machine provides the same value as the VM ONE in a larger package, according to the company. With 30″ × 16″ × 20″ of  XYZ travel, this machining center features a direct-drive, 12,000-rpm, CAT 40, Big Plus spindle. Hurco is using the VM15Di to preview design concepts of the machine and the control that illustrate the look and feel of future machines.

VMX42Di: The VMX42Di (42″ × 24″ × 24″ of XYZ travels) is part of the VMX Series, Hurco’s line of CNC machining centers. This three-axis mill aims to provide high-performance capabilities to any machining application. With a 15,000-rpm, direct-drive spindle and Big Plus, CAT 40 spindle taper, the VMX42Di optimizes surface finish, reduces heat transfer, provides a quieter spindle and lessens head growth. It is also said to reduce chip-to-chip time and quicken spindle acceleration and deceleration due to the direct-drive spindle.

VMX60SRTi: Hurco’s SRT Series of five-axis machining centers offer a design configuration that utilizes a B-axis swivel head with a C-axis rotary torque table. The large size of the rotary table can provide maximum versatility because users can use the extra table space for secondary operations, three-axis work or plate work, due to the rotary torque table being flush with the machine table. The VMX60SRTi has XYZ travels of 60″ × 26″ × 24″ and a motorized, 12,000-rpm spindle with 48 HP.

VC500i: The five-axis universal design of the VC500i is said to support a wide range of parts and enable the use of standard length tooling due to the B-axis configuration. The full ±110-degree B-axis motion can optimize undercut capability. This machining center features 20.5″ × 17.7″ × 15.8″ of XYZ travels, a 12,000-rpm, CAT 40 spindle and 40-tool ATC.

TM8i: This true 30-degree slant-bed lathe can offer a small footprint, large work cube, chip management system and affordable price tag, tailored toward small batch manufacturing. The TM8i has a 23.2″ distance between centers and 8″ diameter chuck.