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Compact, highly rigid vertical machining centre

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jan 21, 2002

A new vertical machining centre provides a high rigidity machining package ideal for 3-D mould making tasks as well as production of small prismatic non-ferrous and steel components

With the launch of the compact designed C 500 vertical machining centre in table and NC-indexing head with tailstock formats, Hermle is providing a high rigidity machining package ideal for 3-D mould making tasks such as hard metal machining as well as production of small prismatic non-ferrous and steel components.

Available through Traub Heckert UK of Brackley, the Hermle C 500 is designated as 'V' for its table variant and 'U' for universal when the indexing unit is specified.

With a width of just 1.25 m and a requirement of only 3.5 m2 of floor space the machine is very compact.

Key to its rigidity is the construction on a patented mineral cast bed which provides exceptional damping properties and, through the modified gantry design, the Y-axis movement is able to be supported by three roller guideways.

In this format excellent static and dynamic properties maximise the stability and accuracy characteristics of the machine.

Workpieces up to 250 kg can be carried on the 540 mm by 560 mm table which has 450 mm of travel to create the vertical Z-axis with a rapid traverse rate of 30 m/min.

Both X and Y movements of 500 mm and 400 mm are generated by the two-axis spindle assembly which have rapid traverse rate of 35 m/min.

Across each axis, acceleration is high at 7 m/sec squared which is controlled via Heidenhain's TNC 426 contouring system.

Two speed ranges for the 16 kW spindle drive are available for both U and V types with HSK A-63 taper.

If the 9,000 revs/min spindle is selected, 102 Nm of torque is developed at 20 revs/min and with the higher speed 16,000 revs/min option, 53 Nm is available from 20 revs/min.

Tool change is via spindle pick-up method which eliminates the need for complex tool change arm mechanisms.

The 20 position disc system is integrated within the machine base structure and totally protected from the working area.

Chip to chip time is five seconds.

Through the Heidenhain control with integrated hard disc, real-time graphics simulation and tool management software is standard.

Electronic thermal compensation can be included as an option as well as wireless transmission 3-D probing and surface digitising.

High pressure 40 bar coolant supply through the tool can also be specified from the options listing.

In the 'U', universal format of the Hermle machine, the fourth-axis NC indexing head has tailstock support and is mounted on the table giving 140 mm table to centre height.

Due to the machine's compact design, the C 500 is ideal for multiple installation in a bank of machines.

It has also been fitted with a scraper-type swarf conveyor, internal coolant supply, 235 litre coolant tank and electrical equipment which are all accessed from the rear or front of the machine for ease of maintenance.