Product category:
Horizontal machining centres (HMC)
News Release from: Heller Machine Tools | Subject: MCT twin spindle horizontal machining centres
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 09 December 2002
Narrow footprint twin spindle M-C
doubles output
Productivity is doubled and costs almost halved by the new, true twin spindle horizontal machining centres that can operate on two separate fixtures simultaneously.
Productivity is doubled and costs almost halved by the new, true twin spindle horizontal machining centres being introduced by Heller Machine Tools Limited The twin spindle machines complement Heller's existing range of popular single spindle MC machines
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 27 Feb 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
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Fast HMC to get through automotive volumes
a fast, versatile HMC, developed primarily for higher volumes, typically the automotive industry, features 90m/min fast traverse, acceleration of 12mm/sec2 and and 1.8sec chip-to-chip ATC.
Machining centre machines to close tolerances
A small family-owned business will increase its turnover by 35.2% this year and, on new M-Cs, consistently machines to tolerances which would frighten the majority of engineers.
Advantage of a true twin spindle machine is that productivity is doubled with a reduced machine cost because the spindles are each cutting parts on two separate fixtures within the same machine at the same time.
Alternative systems rely on reduced tool change idle times to make savings.
The new concept, integrated MCT machines from Heller have been developed so that the ram-type spindles operate simultaneously in order to maximize productivity and ease of use but can operate independently.
Further reading
Productivity doubled on twin spindle HMC
A twin-spindle HMC offers double the productivity for less than double the investment, virtually halves the floor space requirement and minimizes operator involvement.
Subcontractor gets machine in just three weeks
A machining centre was customised and built in just three weeks for J L French, a first tier subcontractor to the automotive industry.
HMCs save time, up quality on the difficult jobs
Seeking difficult work with high added value, which the majority of its competitors shy away from, a subcontractor uses modern HMCs to realise high quality and 25% cycle time cuts.
Separate tool magazines allow the operator to change tools in one tool magazine whilst the other spindle is still cutting metal.
Chip to chip time is 2.6s.
The compact narrow design is ideal for integration into flexible manufacturing systems, but can perform equally well as a stand alone machine.
The MCT machines are offered with either four pallets or with an automatic direct load system.
The design takes advantage of the proven technology used in the Heller MC range of single spindle horizontal machining centres, giving commonalty of use and of spares.
In a typical example for manufacturing timing cases, three twin spindle machines are used in an automated agile system in place of a six machines in a conventional single spindle cell.
This halves the cost of automation, gantries, conveyors and floor space and reduces the machine cost by a quarter.
It is also a more compact and easy to manage solution than an equivalent production from single spindle machines, and gives a reduced maintenance requirement.
The twin spindle machine is offered in two versions, the MCT 160 and the MCT 250.
Self contained, extremely fast quill units operated simultaneously or independently (speed and feed in the Z axis can be adjusted separately).
The independently operating B axes with NC rotary index tables give the shortest swivel times and highest precision.
Flexible tool magazines with a fast tool changer for each work unit provide optimal tool management with simultaneous tool change.
Both tool changers are equipped with two servomotors for swivelling and lifting.
The two chain-type tool magazines have a high tool capacity (40 pockets per magazine) for shortest tool-to-tool times.
Employing two independent tool changers halves tool loading time.
X, Y, and Z axis speeds are 60m/min, acceleration is 10m/s2 in X and Y and 14m/s2 in Z (MCT160).
Chip to chip time is 2.6s.
NC-rotary indexing tables provide rapid swivelling (450 in 0.7s or 1800 in 1.5s).
The MCT has a stand alone coolant unit or can interface with a central coolant system.
Control is by the state of the art Siemens 840D.- the new twin spindle machines complement the existing range of MC machining centres, which offer a rapid traverse of up to 90m/min, acceleration of 12m/s2 and a chip to chip time of 1.8secs.
Geoff Lloyd, Managing Director of Heller Machine Tools said "At Heller, we concentrate on developing very fast machines capable of giving a high production up-time, a strong team of design and service engineers and second-to-none customer support.
"We believe that the future of twin spindle machining lies with the simultaneous machine concept as this is where the true piece part cost saving lie".
(This was Manufacturingtalk's Top Story on 6 December 2002). Request a free brochure from Heller Machine Tools ...
(This was Manufacturingtalk's Top Story on 6 December 2002).
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