machining
WITH approximately 27,000 visitors flocking to the
NEC for MACH 2008 (21% more than the last show in
2006), everyone was hoping the exhibits would live up to
expectations. As it turns out, there was no need for
concern...
Beginning with that favourite of machine tool
exhibitions, the 5-axis machining centre, the latest Deckel
Maho HSC 55V linear on the stand of DMG is housed in a
futuristic machine design for processing materials as
diverse as hardened steel, aluminium, copper and graphite.
The machine has the added productivity enhancement of
80m/min linear drives and 28,000revs/min spindle
technology, while over on the stand of Colchester-
Harrison, the new Storm SV 1100 5X 5-axis machining
centre uses a high rigidity Meehanite cast base and saddle
with heavy duty THK 45 mm width guideways and
oversize guide blocks to provide a platform for combined 5sided
approach machining operations in a single cycle.
Continuing the theme of new 5-axis models on show at
MACH, the Dugard Eagle X-5 is fitted with a Heidenhain
iTNC 530 control. Travels are 500mm in X, 600mm in Y
and 465mm in Z, while the A-axis can be tilted between
+95˚ to -95˚. Mori Seiki also used the show to unveil a new
5-axis machining centre, the NMV5000 DCG, which uses a
number of Mori Seiki innovations such as DCG (Driven at
the Centre of Gravity), DDM (Direct Drive Motor) and
ORC (Octagonal Ram Construction).
Over on the stand of Yamazaki Mazak, the Nexus 510C-
II 5X machining centre is an extension of the existing
Nexus 510C, seeing the addition of a 2-axis trunnion table
and an upgrade to the Mazatrol Matrix control system, to
provide the simultaneous 5-axis control required. Mazak
reported firm sales of £1.75 million at MACH and collected
500 enquiries. Hardinge also introduced a new 5-axis
model at the show. The XR600 5AX is equipped with a
wide working envelope, 60-tool ATC, swarf management
system and the Heidenhain iTNC 530 control. Hardinge
enjoyed a particularly successful MACH, taking over £1.5
million in orders.
Horizontal thought
For those preferring the benefits offered by horizontal
machining centres, the EC-630 is the largest capacity, high
production horizontal model Haas has ever developed, and
features a 1000 by 840 by 890mm work envelope, 50-taper
geared-head spindle, dual pallet changer with 630mm
pallets, 50-pocket side-mount tool changer and a built-in 1˚
Seeking out the brightest new metalcutting machines at the
recent MACH exhibition, Steed Webzell reflects on a show full
of sparkling innovation.
Jewels among
machine tools
DMG’s futuristic exterior
design encloses highly
productive 5 axis
technology
40 MWP july 2008
pallet indexer. Haas sold 37 machines at MACH.
Continuing the horizontal theme, the NMH10000 DCG
from Mori Seiki has pallets measuring 1,000 by 1,000mm,
taking a load of up to 2,500kg, while the HP 5100 is a new
Doosan horizontal machining centre from Mills
Manufacturing Technology featuring 60m/min rapids and
1 second toolchange time. Over 1,600 visitors were recorded
on the Mills stand over the course of MACH week: the
company sold 18 machines from the Doosan range worth
in excess of £2 million. Heller Machine Tools used MACH
to unveil its H-series horizontal machines. H 1000 and H
3000 offer a cost-competitive entry into the world of
horizontal machining centres, while models H 2000 and H
4000 are suitable for users requiring a powerful machine
for series production of varying volumes.
Heavy metal
Moving attention to heavy duty vertical machining centres,
the new Hartford Blockbuster Pro-2150 double column
model from Ward CNC has X, Y and Z axis travels of 2,060
by 1,560 by 780mm, and a table size of 2,100 by 1,450mm,
while from the same principal, the new Hartford Tornado
HCMC-15-AG can accommodate 2,200/3,000kg loads.
Over on the stand of Dugard, the brand new Eagle
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