Product category:
Vertical machining centres (VMC)
News Release from: Hurco Europe | Subject: VMX50 machining centre
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 05 February 2001
Hurco increases machining centre size
Hurco has introduced a larger vertical-spindle, 3- to 5-axis machining centre suited in particular to mould and die manufacture, aerospace components, job shop applications and short-run production.
The US machine tool manufacturer, Hurco, has introduced a larger vertical-spindle, 3- to 5-axis machining centre suited in particular to mould and die manufacture, aerospace components, job shop applications and short-run production Designated VMX50, the 8.7 tonne machine has an impressive specification for its class including a 1270 mm by 660 mm by 610 mm working envelope and a high torque, 11 kW (18.75 kW peak), 10,000 rev/min spindle motor which accelerates to full speed in 4.5 seconds
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 5 Feb 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
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Workpieces weighing up to 1,335 kg may be supported on the 1500 mm by 660 mm table.
Extra large access doors afford plenty of room for loading and unloading as well as for cleaning the machine.
Noteworthy is that washdown and a swarf conveyor are standard, indicative that fast metal removal is the forte of this machine.
Further reading
Toolmaker adds on machining centres
In answer to demands for prismatic machining as well as EDM, toolmaker Forum Services purchased a Hurco 4020 HTM machining centre
Swarf management improved on Hurco's VMX M-Cs
Five vertical machining centres carrying the prefix VMX have been introduced by Hurco, four of which have considerably upgraded specifications in terms of speed and working envelope.
Supporting this goal, the design lends itself to easy installation of a through-spindle coolant system.
The swing-arm, automatic tool change mechanism exchanges the 40-taper tools from the 24-station, fully enclosed magazine in just 2.5 seconds, minimising non-cutting times.
Contributing further to high productivity are the fast rapid traverse rates of 30 m/min in X and Y, 20 m/min in Z, assisted by heavy duty linear guideways and pre-tensioned, double-nut ballscrews.
Cutting feed is also high at 7.6 m/min in all axes, promoting the superior quality machined finish so important in mould manufacture in particular to minimise hand finishing.
Positioning accuracy is quoted as ñ 5 microns and repeatability as 2.5 microns (10 pass VDI - 3441 method).
Perhaps the most outstanding feature of the machine, which it shares with all Hurco machining centres, is the patented Ultimax 4 shop floor programming and control system.
There is anecdotal evidence that the company's competitors envy this twin-screen CNC.
It combines a simple question-and-answer format with calculation-assist for programming 2D contours, whilst maintaining full NC capability for working off-line.
The 12 inch, colour LCD screens and Hurco's patented conversational programming software help machine shops to adapt quickly and easily to the demands of rapid turnarounds and just-in-time delivery cycles.
The ergonomic layout and user-friendly interface are said to be particularly easy to learn.
Novice machinists can start programming parts after only a few hours' training.
For advanced operators, the Pentium-powered control provides an array of optional software tools, including UltiDraw for direct DXF (AutoCAD) file translation, and UltiOpen which turns the second screen into a high-speed gateway to the Internet, enabling file downloads, e-mail access and networking capabilities.
The VMX50 slots into the Hurco range between models '40' and the largest '64' launched in 1999.
Smaller models are the '24' and '30'.
From this it is clear that the manufacturer is moving into the bigger size bracket to compete with a new set of machining centre companies. Request a free brochure from Hurco Europe ...
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