Vertical machining centre is simultaneous 5-axis

Edited by the Manufacturingtalk editorial team Apr 14, 2008

Colchester-Harrison has introduced a simultaneous 5-axis CNC vertical machining centre for high accuracy, five-side machining operations.

Colchester-Harrison has introduced a simultaneous 5-axis, high precision, Storm SV 1100 5X vertical machining centre (VMC), which uses the latest, high specification Heidenhain or Fanuc control.

The VMC uses a high rigidity Meehanite cast base and saddle with heavy duty THK 45mm width guideways and oversize guide blocks to provide what the company said is the 'perfect platform' for combined five-sided approach machining operations in a single cycle.

The Storm SV 1100 5X 5-axis VMC has an X-axis travel of 700mm, Y-axis of 500mm, Z-axis of 355mm covered at a rapid traverse rate of 32m/min as standard or 48m/min as a higher performance option.

In 5-axis machining a tilting A-axis high rigidity trunnion has a sweep of -100 deg to +30 deg to an accuracy of +3s.

A 360 deg rotational C-axis of the 250mm table is programmable up to 16.7 rev/min, with a repeatability for position within +2s.

Full hydraulic locking gives increased rigidity and a two-section worm creates a five times greater contact surface area than normal compound double lead systems.

Not only does this system generate higher accuracy and a durability in operation, said Colchestr-Harrison to manufacturingtalk, but it also maintains a backlash tolerance between 5 and 8 micron.

There are two 40 taper spindles available featuring an 11kW, 12,000 rev/min drive as standard or with a higher 15kW, 15,000 revs/min rated motor as an option.

Each spindle is water cooled, uses large ceramic ball bearings to add rigidity and provide longer life and precision machining cycles.

With the Heidenhain iTNC 530 control, its data transfer capability has a 256 block look ahead and jerk-free contouring that maintains high toolpath integrity that matches the rigidity and capability of the machine tool platform.

Conversational programming is included that incorporates manual 5-axis tilt plan motion control if required, 3D work piece simulation, adaptive feed control and collision monitoring.

* Colchester-Harrison at MACH 2008, NEC, Birmingham, UK, April 21-25, Hall 5, Stands 5128, 5130 and 5136.