Product category:
Machinery and Production Equipment
News Release from: StarragHeckert UK | Subject: Horizontal machining centre
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 21 November 2000
Tripod system breakthrough for machining
centre
Heckert breaks out of traditional horizontal machining centre design with a patented 'tripod' system.
A breakthrough in the construction of horizontal machining centre technology by Heckert incorporating a patented 'tripod' system allows all translational movements of the spindle assembly covering longitudinal, diagonal and vertical axes to be generated via parallel kinematic rotary joints Not only is the productivity capability of the machine design far higher due to the reduced mass, ultra-high speed axis travel rates can be achieved of 100m/min with corresponding accelerations of 10 m/sec[2]
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 21 Feb 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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The SKM 400 horizontal spindle machine, now available from Traub-Heckert UK of Brackley, has a 31kW, 15,000 revs/min spindle drive with 200Nm of torque which is manipulated through a coupled kinematic system to present the spindle nose in its designated plane throughout the 650mm X, Y and Z axis travels.
All torsional, bending, tensile and machining forces are absorbed via two 'four-bar' chains and each of the three axis drives are powered via servo motors.
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The motors are coupled to precision ball screw drives via heavy duty universal joints and each screw assembly is grease lubricated and water cooled to aid consistent positioning.
In the patented design, normal machine tool components such as column, sub-base and slideways are dispensed with which reduces cost and simplifies manufacture by avoiding heavyweight structures to act purely as a carrier to the spindle.
The machine frame is of fabricated construction with three trunnion style pivot bearings providing a 'universal' spindle support.
The spindle unit is connected to each of the three ball screw assemblies which work in unison in order to generate the required axis movement.
The workpiece is held on a 400 mm square table providing a fourth rotary axis capable of 100 revs/min with a maximum loading up to 1,000 Kg.
However as an option, a fifth axis can be generated via universal style NC rotate and swivel table.
Set alongside the work holding table is a 16 position disc-style tool magazine which can be loaded in cycle with tools weighing up to 10kg and 160mm diameter by 350mm long.
To perform a tool change, the HSK-A63 taper spindle directly interfaces with the programmed tool pocket position.
The machine frame design provides a funnelled chip flow into a scraper chain conveyor and coolant supply through the spindle can be up to 30 litres/min at up to 50bar pressure.
Coolant supply via nozzles is delivered at two bar pressure and 50 litres/min.
Lubrication and maintenance is also reduced with a 'sealed for life' no loss system.
The SKM 400 can also be supplied with pallet changer and up to 60 pocket tool magazine.
It is controlled via Siemens Sinumerik 840D.
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