Product category:
Miscellaneous machine tool equipment (fixtures, rotary tables etc.)
News Release from: Hardinge Machine Tools | Subject: Indexing/rotary table system
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 14 November 2006
Precise rotary indexer takes large
workpieces
Indexing/rotary table system provides users with rapid part positioning and enables a diverse range of milling operations (spiral, linear, arc, etc) on large, complex workpieces.
Market-leading milling, turning, grinding and workholding specialist - Hardinge Machine Tools - has introduced its new 16C indexing/rotary table system into the UK The 16C system is an extension of the highly-popular and successful 5C system launched by Hardinge last year - and is designed to provide the same performance and capabilities as the 5C - but on larger and heavier workpieces
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 6 Feb 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Upgraded machining centres start at same price
Added performance and capability at no extra cost on all of the Hardinge produced VMC II range, which have been enhanced with new spindle drives and motors and still start at GBP32,000.
Hardinge speeds up pick-up spindle VTL working
The revolutionary Hardinge / EMAG joint venture produced VL machines provide a guaranteed load / unload time of 4 - 6 seconds - chip to chip - which is critical for cycles of 30 sec and less.
The 16C system provides users with rapid part positioning and enables a diverse range of milling operations (spiral, linear, arc etc) on large, complex components to be undertaken - and has been aimed at customers machining, amongst other components, higher-precision medical and aerospace parts.
The system enables common and standard spindle tooling to be shared - from indexer to lathe - and can be mounted directly and quickly in or on the (A2-5) spindle without the use of an adapter.
Collet, expanding collets, step chucks and three-jaw power chucks automatically centre the part and, because the collet spindle design means that gripping is in the spindle - closer to the spindle bearings - superior gripping force required for heavy cutting is produced.
Further reading
Pick-up spindle machine includes automation
Automation comes as a standard part of the package with the Hardinge EMAG VL Pick-Up Spindle Lathes, as do a chip conveyor and air filtration unit, all at less than GBP 75,000.
UK: pick-up spindle VTLs are getting there
The Three Toed Sloth is getting there, slowly, says a manufacturer of vertical pick-up spindle CNC turning centres of its progress to encourage UK plants to take up the technology.
Bar and chucking lathes designed for hard turning
Designed for hard turning use, CNC bar and chucking lathes lift the performance / price index by as much as 30%, in terms of productivity on a very wide range of applications.
The 16C system has a 152.4mm centreline to base capacity - and a 41.2mm through-hole-capability (for longer parts).
A pneumatic collet closer provides 2068kg draw bar pull.
And the 16C's 15.87mm stroke allows the use of 'power' chucks.
The system also features a compact brushless motor that can be specified for either left- or right-hand setup and the spindle has a rolling element design - with dual angular contact spindle bearings - to accommodate heavy workpiece weights and high tailstock thrusts.
Speeds can be reached up to 50 rev/min.
The 16C model will accept 'round stock' capacities up to (41.27mm), hex capacities up to (35.71mm) and square capacities up to (28.97mm) - using standard collets.
Hardinge manufactures and stocks a large array of spindle tooling to hold larger parts.
These include - step chucks for up to 6in (152.4mm) outside diameters or customised shapes; Sure-Grip expanding collets for up to 4in (101.6mm) internal diameter gripping; three-jaw power chucks and 10in fixture plates.
Emergency collets and step chucks can also be bored-to-size on location for JIT (Just-in-Time) machining and tailstocks are also available to provide support for parts that exceed the 3:1 length-to-diameter ratio.
Hardinge indexing/rotary table systems are compatible with most brands of vertical machining centers and knee mills.
Hardinge's unique servo control stores up to 50 programs with up to 1000 steps in each program.
The multiple line display means that viewing all critical data (at one time) is optimised - with less time spent on scrolling up and down and/or referring to the operator's manual.
Infrared data transmission capabilities allow upload and download of programs from a pocket PC.
16C indexer/rotary table systems can be used with a Hardinge servo control actuated by 'M' functions; or interfaced using an RS-232 interface cable; or as a true 4th-axis on many/most VMCs - including Hardinge Bridgeport machining centres or knee mills.
* Super-Precision Direct-Drive technology from Hardinge - the advantages - Hardinge's new Direct-Drive, Quick-Change Rotary Systems (as in the 16C system) incorporates a direct-drive, rare-earth permanent magnet torque motor with no mechanical gearing.
This frameless motor wraps around the spindle, eliminating the need for a separate motor extension - resulting in a much smaller footprint.
Liquid-cooling wraps around the motor stator housing to increase continuous torque output by 38% to 100% when utilized for rigorous duty cycles and heavy cutting.
Thermal isolation mounting arms and a cast iron base enable uniform heat dissipation, which holds the centre line of the spindle constant in the Super-Precision A2-5 spindle mount design.
The direct-drive design eliminates backlash, which results in high servo stiffness and extremely rapid and accurate bi-directional response and exceptional repeatability.
When the command is given to stop at a certain angular location - it absolutely stops at that precise location with no overshoot and will repeat exactly.
When operated as an integrated axis on a high speed VMC utilizing look-ahead programming, the Hardinge Direct Drive system's combination of zero backlash, high servo gain, and rapid acceleration will enable the user to operate at the maximum capability of the machine.
Hardinge's new direct-drive systems require little maintenance and have fewer parts to wear than traditional gear-driven systems.
A rugged cross roller bearing is used for high-moment loads with super rigidity.
The bearing is permanently lubricated, and there are no brushes to wear or to create dust, providing a smooth, quiet operation and a longer life.
The inherent high servo stiffness eliminates the need for a clamp for most applications, however a spindle clamp/brake is available if necessary for particular applications.
Said David Andrew, sales and marketing director at Hardinge: "The 16C indexing system is a hi-tech solution which, with our Super-Precision positioning and repeatability - increases part accuracy and customer productivity.
Our high-performance rotary indexing technology makes everything possible.".
• Hardinge Machine Tools: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Manufacturingtalk email newsletter
• Manufacturingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
