Two-Spindle HMC for Four- and Five-Axis Machining

SW North America’s BA 322 is a compact, twin-spindle horizontal machining center designed for four- or five-axis machining of small to medium-sized steel, cast iron and light-metal workpieces. Applications include brake calipers, hydraulic valves and turbocharger components such as compressor wheels.

With the smallest frame size of SW’s heavy-duty machining centers, the BA322 is equipped with two spindles, a twin-swivel trunnion, and twin or quadruple five-axis modules to suit the application. The double-swivel table design enables workpieces to be loaded and unloaded in cycle. Each of the two workholding units on the twin-swivel trunnion is controlled by as many as eight hydraulic pipes and an additional five pneumatic pipes, all featuring rotary distributors.

The monobloc machine bed ensures precise machining and rigidity, and carries the three-axis unit equipped with a maximum four spindles. Simultaneously machining with four spindles promotes efficiency and maximizes workpiece throughput. According to the company, the horizontal spindle arrangement provides optimum chip flow.

The machining center relies on lost-wax-cast collets in high-alloyed steel controlled by a cylinder and monitored to confirm that the tool is correctly locked. Three different magazine sizes are available to accommodate as many as 128 tools. The tools are changed with a pickup system. The untensioned chain of the magazine reaches speeds as fast as 80 m/min. and runs in a link rail. Retightening is not necessary, the company says.