Linear motor drive increases turning productivity

Turning/milling centres have a linear mot5or drive in the Z-axis, identical synchronous motors for the main- and counter-spindles and fast tool change times to maximise productivity.

The turning/milling centres of the GMX linear product line from Gildemeister make a strong impression, because of a linear drive in the Z-axis, identical synchronous motors for the main- and counter-spindles, interpolating B-axis, 12,000-rpm milling spindle, tool magazine optimized for minimum set-up time, and the Siemens 840 D powerline with 3D Programmer as a powerful programming tool.

More than a year ago, the Gildemeister Lathe Corporation successfully entered the upper class of turning/milling centres with the Twin 500 linear.

Now, the company, located in Bielefeld, Germany, presents the GMX 400 linear, the first machine in a new machine series, which will eventually be developed into a complete series for diameters up to 640mm.

It will set new standards in productivity, precision, and customer flexibility.

All representatives of the GMX linear product line have one thing in common: they offer - already in the standard configuration - a machine specification that is either simply unavailable or at most additional options with other suppliers.

These features achieve a previously inconceivable metal removal rate, while maintaining high flexibility, all the way through to 6-sided complete machining.

This is clearly proven by the highly dynamic Z-axis linear drive for the milling/turning spindle.

Thus, a high degree of precision is ensured coupled with the high dynamics and rapid traverse speeds of 60m/min.

On this basis, the GMX 400 linear presents itself as a modular machine that can be adapted to the individual needs of the customer through a high-tech modular concept.

As a chucking machine being the basic configuration, an NC-tailstock can be integrated for shaft machining, for example.

The next extension option includes a counter spindle with an integrated spindle motor, which offers optimal conditions for maximum precision for 6-sided complete machining through angular and/or rpm-synchronous component transfer between spindles.

The GMX linear ultimately becomes a production turning centre for those users who require the addition of a fast 12-station 40VDI CNC-turret with driven tools as well as the B-axis HSK63 milling/turning spindle.

In this configuration it is possible to work simultaneously at the main- and counter-spindle, or 4-axes machine at either spindle.

This feature is guaranteed to increase the productivity, which is already extraordinarily high due to the machine technology build level.

The B-axis with a swivel range of +/-120deg and a 12,000-rpm motor spindle (22 kW/100Nm at 40% duty cycle) is suitable for optimum milling performance, including full 5-axis interpolation.

This spindle module is taken from the highly successful DMU 80 P milling machine, made by the group partner Deckel Maho.

It guarantees perfect performance not only for milling, but also offers maximum reliability right from the start, by using already proven technology.

In addition, the spindle is equipped with coolant through the spindle (optionally 80 bar), which is ideal for deep hole drilling.

During turning, the B-axis tool spindle is securely held in place and can be positioned in 1-degree increments to facilitate optimum cutting conditions, thus giving ultimate conditions for stability for the high torque of the integrated spindle motors of up to 850Nm (at 40% DC).

The maximum speed for the GMX 400 linear is 4,000 rpm (with a drive power of up to 58kW at 40% duty cycle).

The tools for the B-axis can be up to 350mm long.

The tools are located in a shelf type tool magazine with 60 tool pockets (optionally 120).

A very fast tool change-over time is achieved of 1.8 seconds.

To minimize idle times during set-up and production, the tool magazine has been designed with a special 4 station tool load/unload position, which works in parallel during production.

The 6-track machine bed with linear roller guideways, with a 60deg angle bed casting, ensure a stable basis for the high turning- and milling performance.

In addition, it also ensures optimal chip disposal and thus the best performance even during dry machining.

Furthermore, all linear axes are equipped with direct measuring systems, which means that precision is not only 'measurably' but ensured, but also that the time-consuming referencing of the machine now becomes unnecessary.

The GMX 400 linear is controlled by the Siemens 840 D powerline - a CNC that makes programming not only faster, but also safer, because of the use of cutting edge Pentium technology, coupled with software that is extremely user friendly.

In addition, the Siemens 840D powerline offers an Ethernet interface, which is the standard for all Gildemeister machines, something that is not yet a standard everywhere.

With the optional 3D Programmer, the GMX series ultimately possesses the user friendly oriented tool, which not only allows interactive dialogue programming and the import of CAD data, but also 3D real time simulation of entire program sequences, including comprehensive collision control.

It is last, but not least the feature that makes the GMX linear series not only a highly productive manufacturing tool for medium size batches, but also a flexible all-round centre for smaller batches, right through to single part manufacturing, with no limits to part complexity.

The bottom line is, the sum of the above features add up to the latest front line pioneering in cutting edge machine tool technology, which offers all possible options, from conventional chucking, all the way to highly precise 6-sided complete machining of even the most complex parts in only one manufacturing cycle.

It thus makes available the most effective means for efficient production, especially for the most demanding users of machine tools i.e aerospace industry, the automotive and medical sectors, as well as modern complex component suppliers to industry.

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