Five-axis machine tools come in three specifications

Hardinge Machine Tools GX 250 5-AX machining centre range boasts three models in the GX 250 5-AX range (the S: the P and the HP).

All models have a rigid C-frame fixed column design, for extra rigidity, and axis travels of 300 by 400 by 430 mm in X, Y and Z and corresponding traverse rates of 30 m/min. Positional accuracy and repeatability are 0.007 mm and 0.004 mm, respectively. The machines' 5-axis capability is delivered through the use of its A-axis (tilting +30/-120° at 33.3 rpm) and C-axis (rotating 360° continuous at 33.3 rpm). Positional accuracy and repeatability of A- and C-axes are 20 arc seconds/4 arc seconds, and 10 arc seconds/3 arc seconds, respectively. The rotary tilting action of these two axes (A- and C-) allows cutting tool access to all available faces of a component, while the control provided by the Heidenhain iTNC 530 enables complex 5-axis simultaneous machining at high feed rates. The GX 250 5-AX machines have a 210 mm diameter table, and are able to handle workpieces 250 by 240 mm up to a maximum weight of up to 75 kg. The GX 250 5-AX machines are equipped with different spindle options: 17 kW, 12,000rpm (BT 40) coupled spindle (greased) on Model 'S'; 17 kW 15,000 rpm (BT 40) coupled spindle (oil/air) on Model 'P'; and for high-speed, high precision machining, a 23 kW 20,000 rpm (HSK A63) motorised spindle on Model 'HP'. Through-spindle-coolant is an option on the 20,000rpm rated machine. The machines have a 20-station (30 option), swing-arm, bi-directional ATC, in-built Dynamic Collision Protection on the HP machines, and, amongst their many options, can be equipped with linear scales on X, Y and Z axes and a Filtermist oil/mist extraction unit.