SHW’s PowerForce 8 provides energy-efficient power within large user-definable work envelope

The machine is aimed at the manufacture of large motors, turbines, and wind power generator parts, as well as components for railways, ships and aircraft. UK and Ireland sales and service agent for SHW, Geo Kingsbury Machine Tools, says the PowerForce 8's X-axis travel can be specified in modular 1 m increments from 10 to 50 m, while the vertical Y-axis can be 7,100 or 8,100 mm and the cross Z-axis travel is 2,000 mm. Customers can opt for either a fixed bed or rotary table variants, according to their requirements. The head is of universal, A- and C-axis design with up to 90 kW of spindle power, 6,000 rpm and 4,000 Nm of torque. The 360º C-axis has a positioning accuracy of ± 3 sec-arc, while A-axis positioning is from +90º/-90º to within ±2 sec-arc. Alternative, exchangeable heads include a horizontal type and a high speed model capable of 25,000 rpm for carrying out finishing operations. The 150-position tool magazine accepts different tool tapers (HSK, SK, BT, etc) for automatic change to and from the different heads, while angle heads and turning heads can be similarly accommodated. Despite its large size, the machine is highly dynamic with 2 m/s2 acceleration up to 40 m/min rapids. Positioning accuracy is similarly impressive at ± 0.01 mm over 2 m. The easy-to-operate, ride-along control cabinet can also move vertically. Control is by the Siemens 840D Solutionline CNC.