Reiden trigonal head allows single-axis milling of dihedral angles on RX18

Fitted to the latest Reiden RX18 5-axis universal machining centre now marketed in the UK by 2D CNC, the trigonal head design used in the horizontal spindle position ensures that both the X- and Y-axes are continuously loaded in the same direction to significantly reduce any influence and inaccuracies caused by cross-stressing on the component. The trigonal head uses a worm drive that repositions from vertical to horizontal positions within 1 sec. In the horizontal position the spindle centre line can be driven 10 mm below the edge of the table with the advantage of using maximum stability from the table face in the set-up without the need for fixturing. Linear measuring scales are integrated into the spindle head and a 'smart-vision' camera-based system is available to monitor the machining process with the viewing screen mounted above the control system console. In addition, combined milling and turning operations can be performed on components up to 2,600 mm diameter by 1,610 mm high. As the turning cycle is initiated, the main spindle is pneumatically clamped and the rotary worktable turned through a gearless drive at up to 250 rpm. The Reiden RX18 is a heavy duty machine constructed around a Hydropol composite steel/concrete mix machine bed and column which together weigh some 12 tonnes. The XYZ machining envelope is 2,200 by 2,200 by 1,610 mm, unless the trigonal milling head is fitted when the X-axis is 1,800 mm. The C-axis rotary table is 1,800 mm diameter has maximum 8 tonnes capacity. The HSK 100-A taper spindle is available with three levels of power to suit the application. As standard the 8,000 rpm spindle has a 102 kW drive that develops 557 Nm of torque, while the optional 15,000 rpm spindle has a 73 kW motor providing up to 348 Nm of torque. For high speed production cycles a 20,000 rpm spindle variant has 187 kW of power and 102 Nm of torque. Rapid feedrates are 40 m/min in X, Y and Z axes. Spindle control is by either Heidenhain iTNC 530 HSCI or Siemens 840 DSI DND units. A large viewing window and easy access to the work area via a 2,300 mm gap created in the slide-aside guarding also maximises access to the table for loading/unloading by crane. Tool capacity is 104 positions as standard with options for the magazine to hold up to 400 tools each 125 mm dia (250 mm adjacent pockets left empty) and 600 mm in length. Coolant supply is 30 bar as standard while 50 and 80 bar supplies are optional. Four chip conveyors are integrated into the machine frame to ensure effective swarf removal. Modular construction enables two, three or four 1,800 by 1,400 mm pallets to be integrated into the production process and there is also a further option of a linear pallet storage system. Pallets are located using four zero-point clamping with a repeatability of ±0.01 mm.