Hurco VMX60U offers affordable generous work volume
1 min read
Hurco Europe has launched a machining centre for 5-axis/5-sided metalcutting. by. The company says that the machine, designated the VMX60U, is easy to use and provides 1,524 by 660 by 520 mm of working volume at an affordable price.
The specification includes a 12,000 rpm spindle as standard, with 15,000 rpm high speed and 10,000 rpm high-torque options, a 40-station swing-arm automatic tool changer, and X/Y/Z rapids of 33/35/30 m/min.
Many shops believe that 5-axis technology is too difficult to use, but over 80% of what many call 5-axis work is not fully interpolative but really requires 5-sided machining. It reduces the number of part set-ups, leading to cost savings and higher component accuracy, and is simpler to convert to from 3-axis methodology.
Hurco says WinMax conversational programming makes it easy to create a part without an expensive 5-axis CAM system. The flexibility of the patented control also allows shops to use existing 3-axis CAM systems to produce G-code programs for each side of a multi-faceted part and then combine them with the simple addition of a transform plane code.
Hurco also offers the facility to place successive parts anywhere on the table without having to repost the G-code program, a feature the manufacturer calls tool centre point management.
Given that the VMX60U is a 5-axis simultaneous machine, shops also have the flexibility to move to full 5-axis contouring when they are ready.
