Available in UK and Ireland from sole agent Whitehouse Machine Tools, rigidity and accuracy are assured by deploying a +1°/-110° B-axis spindle to provide the fifth CNC axis, avoiding having to swivel the rotary table. A fixed table to the right of it allows workpieces up to 1,650 mm long to be supported horizontally for 3-axis metalcutting, extending the machine’s versatility. The spindle head centreline is offset by 200 mm to the left of its centre of rotation to allow features closer to the table to be machined.
Notable also is the patent-pending method of protecting the table’s Y-axis guideway from swarf and coolant ingress using a single wiper system, eliminating the need for a telescopic cover. The depth of the machine is consequently shorter, leading to a 30% reduction in overall footprint. As the table moves to the extremes in the X-axis, automated loading and unloading from the sides is simplified.
Another characteristic of the machine is FEM-optimisation of the cast structure, which provides a high level of rigidity and vibration damping for elevated cutting performance and high standards of surface finish on machined components. Further advantages are that tool life is extended and accuracy of machining is enhanced.
Users can choose from an array of alternative features and options, such as a 464 Nm high-torque spindle or a 18,000 rpm high speed spindle, a 96-pocket magazine for SK50 / HSK100 tools or 138 pockets for SK40 / HSK63, 70 bar high pressure coolant instead of 22 bar, linear scales in X, Y and Z, and either a Siemens 840D sl control with Spinner’s 24-in Touchpanel 4.0 interface or a Heidenhain TNC640 with 19-in screen.
Spinner has optimised swarf extraction efficiency by providing four spiral augers to deliver chips to a conveyor at the front of the machine for convenient removal. It also ensures negligible heat transmission and allows space on the shopfloor to be saved when installing the 16-tonne machine.
