Published 11/30/2011

Large-Part HMC Series Adds A-Axis Tilt Spindle

Mag’s modular HMC 1250/1600 high-precision, high-productivity series is engineered for machining large aerospace, power-generation, pump, valve and off-road equipment parts.

Edited by: MMS Editorial Team

Mag’s modular HMC 1250/1600 high-precision, high-productivity series is engineered for machining large aerospace, power-generation, pump, valve and off-road equipment parts.

The machine’s six spindle options make it well-suited for special-purpose and general-machining requirements, the company says. The latest spindle is a 6,000- and 8,000-rpm/46-kW (61.6-hp) tilt-spindle with +90/-120 degree A-axis travel. Other spindle options include an all-around 10,000-rpm/56-kW (75-hp) spindle; a high-speed, 24,000-rpm spindle; a high-torque 2,600-Nm/80-kW (1,918 foot-pounds) spindle; and two live spindles (110- or 130-mm diameter). The high-torque spindle is especially suited for hard metalcutting, while the live spindles extend W-axis reach by as much as 800 mm (31.5"), enabling deep-cavity milling as well as increased precision with shorter, more-rigid tool lengths. The company’s Z-axis thermal compensation software dynamically offsets spindle growth to maintain tight tolerances.

The HMC is designed for extreme application flexibility with a maximum 3,000-mm (118") work-zone swing, 2,500-mm (98.4") work-height capacity and 15,000-kg (33,000 lbs) pallet-load capacity. Major machine components, including the X-bed, Z-bed and column, are cast ductile iron. A modular design provides a range of machine travels, 60- to 300-tool magazines and two control choices.

The HMC offers 56 to 80 kW (75 to 107 hp) spindle power, 35 kN (7,870 lbs) Z-axis thrust, and a rigid, full-contouring hydrostatic rotary table. The 360,000-position contouring table provides a rigid work platform, while a rugged worm-gear drive with clamp securely holds axis position, the company says. Rotary table positioning accuracy is 10 arcseconds, repeatable to 5 arcseconds. Positioning accuracy of the tilt-spindle is 4 arcseconds, repeatable to 2 arcseconds.

For tighter part tolerances and greater machining accuracies, the HMC series is equipped with linear scale feedback in the X, Y and Z axes, providing 8 microns (0.0003") positioning accuracy and 5 microns (0.0002") repeatability. Hardened and ground roller guideways enable a rapid-traverse rate ranging to 40 m/min (1,575 ipm).