Machine complex workpieces at a single set-up

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team May 16, 2001

Mikron's new UCP1350 five-axis machining centre has an enlarged working envelope, an even more versatile milling head, and a super-fast rotary table and a rapid tool-changer

Mikron (Birmingham) is delighted to announce the launch of the UCP1350.

This new machine builds on the strengths of the existing product line not only by offering an enlarged working envelope, but also by providing an even more versatile milling head, a super-fast rotary table and a rapid tool-changer.

"This machine offers the ability to handle extremely large, complex workpieces at a single set-up," enthuses Mikron Managing Director, Martin Leaper, adding "The UCP1350 will provide substantial productivity gains, and that vital competitive edge, to a wide range of companies who either already supply, or who wish to supply, customers demanding the highest standards of accuracy and finish.

The reduction in set-up times creates the opportunity to operate long machine-tool cycles, thus increasing efficiency, reducing manual intervention and raising profitability." Mikron engineers have spent many man-years updating and improving the dynamics, versatility and power of the new machine without impacting the tried and tested construction that has been used so successfully in the UCP1000.

The machine construction incorporates a cross-bed design which has been refined using Finite Element Analysis to assure a solid base and low vibration.

A wide range of generously dimensioned guides and drives is available that, together with the optimisation of the servomotor control enable Mikron to offer its customers the optimal solution for large-scale work.

The UCP1350 breaks new ground in simultaneous 5 axis machining with its ability to successfully tackle workpiece recesses.

This type of work has previously proved difficult due to restricted mobility on the A axis, but the completely new construction of the UCP 1350 milling head allows swivelling of the tool spindle simultaneously through 135�.

In addition, the swivel axis can be indexed degree by degree, in order to make optimal use of the high torque of the motor spindle.

Furthermore, with a switching time from vertical to horizontal machining of a blistering 1.7 seconds, a range of machining possibilities become feasible that could not have been contemplated previously.

From both-side recesses to simultaneous machining of turbine blades, the potential applications for the new Mikron UCP1350 are almost unlimited.

Speed is essential for productivity and Mikron has engineered the new generation of rotary tables on the UCP1350 using an innovative linear technique that enables accelerations and speeds hitherto considered impossible.

The large clamping table has a diameter of 1100mm for loads up to 1,500kg, and can be rotated at a speed of 40 r.p.m, providing the fastest and most accurate direct-drive heavy-load rotary table in the world.

Increasing demands in terms of both versatility and process safety have caused Mikron to review and enhance the tool changing system of the new machine, removing the tool changer completely from the machining area and reducing the tool-change time.

Ergonomics have also been improved, with the tool position selection panel repositioned for increased ease of use, enabling supervision of the control, the tool changer and the machining process from one single position.

With the launch of this new high speed 5 axis machine, Mikron is providing a really cost-effective capability to machine large and complex work-pieces to the highest accuracy and standard of finish.