to challenge aerospace manufacturers. The solution is found in machines that provide high torque delivered at low speed. The latest machine development from Heller Machine
Tools LP (Troy, MI), the F Series HMC for five-axis simulta- neous machining, features three high-performance spindle options for different cutting conditions and part configurations. The F2000 HMC with swivel head offers a large working area of 800 × 800 × 1000 mm, (X, Y, Z) and can accommo- date a 630-mm pallet and a 3080-lb (1397-kg) workpiece. The high-performance spindles offer options to machine smaller, lighter parts, frequently made from tough materials like tita- nium, and aluminum parts that require high-speed machining. The swivel-head provides a fifth axis that delivers a con- stantly high-cutting performance in horizontal and vertical position, as well as any spatial angle, especially important for aerospace applications. Five-axis machining is provided by the tool in X, Y, C or A axes and two axes provided by the workpiece in the Z and B axes. Machine structure and axis design are tailored to the special requirements of five- axis machining. Heller determined that the most flexible, robust, and efficient way to do five-face and five-axis machining is to have one of the axes in the workhead. Using a B-axis table in combination with a universal or tilting workhead allows greater table loads, larger working envelopes and greater accessibility than five-axis ma- chines that have two axes of motion under the workpiece, such as a tilt/rotary table or C-over-B type.
HSK63 spindle choices include the PCU 63 for high-performance cutting with speeds up to 10,000 rpm, power up to 44 kW and torque up 244 N•m. Two other spindles go up to 16,000 rpm with 40 kW of power and 80 N•m of torque: the SCU 63 and the SCT 63 Tilt spindle. The SCT-63 is an A-axis head, in contrast to the others that are C-Axis. The A-axis provides even more flexibility in cutting complex shapes. ME For more information on Heller
Heller’s F Series HMC for five-axis simultaneous machining features three high-performance HSK63 spindle options for different cutting conditions and part configurations.