Rigid VMC Construction Supports Five-, 4+1-Axis Operations

Chevalier’s QP5X-400, a 40-taper, high-speed VMC, offers five-axis simultaneous or 4+1-axis operation, providing accuracy and productivity for such industries as aerospace, medical and moldmaking.

The machine’s construction provides features for high rigidity, with major components made of Meehanite cast iron for stability. The column design has an inverted Y shape and one-piece construction to promote rigidity and stability. The two-axis, 12.6" trunnion table supports loads ranging to 220 lbs, and accommodates workpieces as large as 15.7" wide and 13.7” in height. The trunnion table includes a three-piece, cross-roller bearing for part loading and a ±10" angle encoder in the A axis. The X-, Y- and Z-axis travels measure 20.5" × 15.8" × 15". The three axes are equipped with pre-tensioned C3-class ballscrews, and all servomotors are directly coupled to ballscrews, increasing movement sensitivity while reducing backlash, the company says.

The 25-hp, 10,000-rpm, large-diameter Big Plus machine spindle uses four-piece, P4-class, angular-contact ball bearings to increase spindle rigidity and maintain high accuracy during high-speed machining. A direct-drive spindle offers low noise, vibration and thermal expansion. Tool capacity is 30+1. The machine provides fast interpolation, with linear rapid traverse speeds of 1,417 ipm in the X and Y axes, 1,181 ipm in the Y axis.

The series includes a FANUC 0iMF control for 4+1 applications and a color 10.4" LCD screen with a four-axis simultaneous controller, linear-circular-helical interpolation, a Manual Guide 0i and other features. The alternative 31iB-5 control provides five-axis simultaneous control.