VMC range to set new standards in short cycle production

Akira-Seiki vertical machining centres will "set totally new benchmarks for short cycle production sequences". Fast rapid traverse rates of 96 m/min are attained with an acceleration of 2G; a high speed spindle option of 20,000 rpm; tool-to-tool change time of 0.7 secs; and a twin-pallet 180° index time of 1.5 secs all feature. The Dugard Akira-Seiki AS-500T and larger capacity A-650 machining centres bring the performance of conventional ballscrew and linear way machine tool design into the realms of high speed linear drives. As a result, non-cutting times are minimised due to the rapid 96 m/min slideway positioning while throughput is maximised with extremely quick tool and pallet indexing sequences. Both machines are compact requiring a floor area of just 1.5 m by 2.1 m and 1.9 m by 3 m and have respective working strokes of 500 mm and 650 mm in the x-axis, 280 mm and 350 mm in y and 280 mm and 400 mm in z. Pallet sizes are 600 mm by 300 mm and 650 mm by 350 mm, respectively, with maximum loadings of 80 kg and 120 kg on the larger machine. The low inertia, direct drive spindle motor develops 15 to 15,000 rpm as standard on the AS-500T and this same spindle is an option on the larger A-650 machine. In both cases it is able to accelerate to maximum revolutions in just 0.45 secs and has a rigid tapping capability of 6,000 rpm on the smaller machine, for tap sizes up to M14 and 4,000 rpm on the A-650 for larger taps up to M24. Optional on the AS-500T is a 20 to 20,000 rpm high speed spindle while the standard specification on the A-650 is a 12 to 12,000 rpm high torque spindle drive. The maximum drilling capacity is 16 mm, on the smaller machine which is extended to 24 mm on the larger machine. Toolchange from the 24 position tool magazine, via a twin-arm unit, takes just 0.7 secs with an up to 2.1 secs chip-to-chip on the smaller machine and 1.2 secs/3.4 secs chip-to-chip on the larger A-650. The twin-pallet system is able to take loads of 80 kg on the smaller machine and 120 kg on the A-650 and rotates through 180° between the front loading and machining positions in just 1.5 secs. Location is through a precision curvic coupling giving high accuracy and high rigidity to accommodate heavier milling tasks. The machine has been developed to avoid the use of hydraulic systems for the toolchange and pallet change giving the machine the added advantages of improved stability and reduced maintenance. Options available include spindle oil chiller, through-the-tool coolant supply, auto-tool measurement, NC rotary table, high pressure coolant and programmable coolant nozzles.