Top end Hermle C 60 U tackles 5-sided or simultaneous 5-axis machining of heavy components
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Available from Geo Kingsbury Machine Tools, Hermle's C 60 U fits in at the upper end of its range of vertical-spindle, 5-axis machining centres. It is intended for 5-sided or simultaneous 5-axis machining of components weighing up to 2.5 tonnes within a working volume of X, Y and Z axes of 1,200 by 1,300 by 900 mm. Machine layout is based on the manufacturer's modified gantry design for the Y-axis and a ±130° trunnion (A) carrying a rotary table (C) – three variants of which are available.
Tool interfaces SK40/HSK-A63 and SK50/HSK-A100 are compatible with the Hermle C 60 U. The circular magazine is capable of holding 70 of the former cutters weighing up to 15 kg and 50 of the latter up to 30 kg each. This capacity allows complete machining of highly complex workpieces or entire product families. Tool change takes 9.5 sec chip to chip.
The one-piece machine bed provides a stable foundation with excellent damping. Precision roller bearings are built into the linear guideways and the X, Y and Z axis feeds are ballscrew driven with internal measurement systems. Tandem drives are provided in Y, Z and A for highly dynamic machining, assisted by acceleration of 6 m/s2 and rapid traverses of 50 m/min in the linear axes. Five different spindle configurations with speeds from 9,000 to 18,000 rpm are available.
The machine can be operated in stand-alone mode or with an automatic pallet change system and can be further automated as required. It is controlled by a choice of top-end of Siemens or Heidenhain CNC. Applications are most likely to be found in the tool and die making, energy, aerospace and machine building sectors as well as in impeller and bevel gear machining.
