MACH 2014 - Four new machines from Feeler

All have new styling and fresh branding, which brings a more European look and feel to a Taiwanese machine. On show for the first time in the UK is the Feeler U600-5AX 5-axis machining centre. The U600-5AX is a travelling-column, trunnion-style machine costing £40,000 less than comparable entry-level machines, says ETG. The machine is aimed at the general machining, mould and die, and low volume manufacturing sectors. ETG says because the U600-5AX has the X, Y and Z axes mounted on a rigid column combined with A and C rotary axes on the trunnion, it gives better visibility for the operator, easier access for loading and unloading, and a larger safe zone for tool-changing. The U600-5AX has a 460 mm (X) by 520 mm (Y) by 400 mm (Z) working envelope and a 15,000 rpm, BT-40 Big Plus spindle. Spindles with 10,000, 12,000 and 20,000 rpm are available as options. Axis travel speed is 30 m/min in X, Y and Z. A 30-tool magazine is fitted as standard, with a 40-tool option available. Visitors will also be able to see Feeler's new VMP45 vertical machining centre. This machine will be Feeler's standard 3-axis, 1,100 mm X-axis vertical machining centre. Feeler's VMP580 vertical machining centre with automatic pallet changer is the third one on show and, finally, away from the Engineering Technology Group stand, visitors will be able to see Feeler's new TC20 Alpha drilling and tapping centre on the stand of Micron Workholding (Stand 4109, Hall 4). The TC20 Alpha is benchmarked to compete head-to-head on performance with the market-leading brands, but at around half the price, says ETG. The TC20 Alpha has a 20,000 rpm direct-drive spindle, 1.2 axis accelerations, a 21-tool magazine and a capacity of up to 510 mm in the X-axis. It will be suitable for fast, light machining of aluminium and steel castings, and die castings. See them in Hall 5 on Stand 5310