High accuracy level on universal milling machine

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Dec 21, 2001

With a universal milling head able to swivel through 90 degrees, the Hermle U630 Universal milling machine has been developed for prototype, mould and die and small batch machining

With a universal milling head able to swivel through 90 degrees via a patented eccentric movement that compensates for the distance between spindle and table surface to accommodate five-sided machining, the Hermle U630 Universal milling machine has been developed for prototype, mould and die and small batch machining.

Now available from Traub Heckert UK of Brackley, the Hermle U630 uses Heidenhain TNC 426 contouring control and can also be specified with + 30 degrees NC rotary fourth axis swivelling table or NC indexing head.

Key to the high levels of accuracy and surface finish obtainable with the U630 is the mineral cast bed giving the combination of low thermal conductivity and high vibration damping.

This is complemented with a compound rest slide arrangement for the spindle ram assembly which is able to maintain the same levels of rigidity and positional accuracy over its complete 500 mm Y-axis travel.

The workholding tables are extremely rigid being mounted on the front of the mineral base via recirculating linear roller guideways which are also utilised for each axis movement.

The main SK 40 spindle has automatic gearing from an 11 kW AC drive with 20 to 7,000 revs/min and develops some 390 Nm of torque.

The X-axis traverse is extended by 245 mm to the right giving 875 mm overall travel which provides sufficient stroke between the nose of the milling spindle to the table centre when the head is swivelled by 90 degrees to the right.

Rapid traverse rates are 15 m/min.

The angular clamping table is 900 mm by 528 mm with a load capacity of 400 Kg while the universal clamping table is able to combine four functions for swivelling/tilting table, rotary table, indexing table and vertical indexing head with counter support.

The Heidenhain TNC 426 includes integrated hard disk and simultaneous real-time graphics.

Digitising can be performed using touch probes and an electronic control pendant allows remote control of axis movements to aid setting and electronic hand wheels can be specified for axis control.

In addition, the TNC control can be connected to a network via ethernet interface and to a PC or work station.