Travelling column VMC is under GBP 90,000

Edited by the Manufacturingtalk editorial team Mar 27, 2007

A travelling column vertical machining centre (VMC) is a compact 'entry level' twin-table machine that accepts work up to 1800mm long or operates in 'pendelum' mode.

Fitted with twin-tables to support work up to 1800mm in length or perform pendulum machining tasks where the same or different parts are produced in the same cycle, Hedelius one of Germany's leading vertical machining centre builders, has developed the MC 40 as a compact entry level machine that is now available from C Dugard of Hove, UK, for under GBP 90,000.

The Hedelius MC 40 is designed to accommodate small to medium workpiece sizes with travel in X of 1800mm, 420mm in Y and 480mm in Z, all within a compact footprint of 4.5m by 3.9m.

Rapid traverse rates in each axis are quick at 45m/min.

Using the well-proven Heidenhain iTNC 530 control, programming is straightforward and will accommodate complex and heavier duty milling cycles making full use of the 16.25kW spindle motor that develops 102Nm of torque and has a speed range between 30 and 9,000 rev/min.

Indeed, the MC 40 specifies metal removal rates of 300cm3/min when milling, drilling with tools up to 30mm diameter and thread cutting up to M20.

The SK 40 tool magazine holds 20 tools up to 80mm diameter or 100mm with adjacent pots free.

Automatic tool change time is 3s with manual change also available.

Access to the machining area, in typical Hedelius tradition, is through two large slide-aside doors with good viewing for the operator when in the closed position.