Roeders high precision large vertical machining centre

An expert in productive high precision machining, the new machining centre offers the same capability, but in a working volume 1,200 by 1,000 by 500 mm for parts weighing up to 3 tonnes. Thus high precision contours on large workpieces are the key feature of the new machine, with accuracies of ±5 micron for smaller workpieces and ±10 micron for larger workpieces claimed. Numerous features support rapid high precision machining in Roeders' machines. The company uses its own CNC control, Soltau, which, it is claimed, means that for contoured surfaces, cycle time advantages can be "well in the double-digit range", claims company CEO Jürgen Röders. And the company employs 10 individuals just to work on this aspect of its machines. In addition, the Röders control system smooths surfaces using patented advanced mathematical operations achieving tangential transitions. This is particularly evident from the absence of steps when overworking edge radii with smaller diameter finishing cutters. Another point is that circles, which often are not optimally converted and executed by postprocessors generating NC-code from CAD-data, are automatically rounded. A look-ahead of more than 10,000 command lines, together with the internal positioning resolution of < 1nm, makes it possible to achieve minimal increments in an order of magnitude between 0.1 to 0.05 micron. This results in outstandingly smooth surfaces as well as extremely high path speeds of theoretically up to 60 m/min and often over 10 m/min with an engaged tool. The company also supports the creation of suitable NC programs employing the best strageies by offering users programming course. Gains in machining time and quality range between 10 - 20% by selecting the best strategy. The machine's 26 tonne mass is concentrated in static parts not moving parts, while test runs to determine the rotational speed causing the lowest vibration level are undertaken prior to machining, ensuring optimal surface quality of the workpiece. There's also a tool-cleaning function. The RXP is equipped with cleaning nozzles to ensure no lubricant layer will interfere with its laser tool dimension measuring system. The patented cleaning system starts by spraying a solvent onto the tool at low speed, with the tool dried at high rotational speed, taking just half a minute. Ten cooling circuits controlled with an accuracy of 0.1 °C mean that the zero point of the machine remains unchanged. One cooling circuit prohibits temperature drifts in the spindle by encasing it in a cooling sleeve, so there's no need bother about spindle length compensation – particularly important in the manufacture of large dies for plastic injection moulding having job durations of 10, 15 or even 20 hours. Basically, numerous small details add up to the highest of precision for large parts with the new RXP1200.