Helical Profile Milling Machine Enables Dry Machining

Holroyd Precision’s EX series 8EX helical profile milling machine is capable of producing complex components with helical screw profiles and gear parts such as worm shafts ranging to 850 mm (33") in diameter. Designed with the rigidity necessary for rough cutting as well as the accuracy and precision required for finish profile milling, the milling machine offers high stock removal rates and aggressive semi-finishing capabilities. Dry machining is possible with little or no heat transfer to the component. The majority of generated heat is transferred to the swarf chips and removed from the machine via a conveyor system, the company says.

The profile milling machine is capable of cutting a full-depth groove by transversing the cutting tool through the material at the relevant helix angle, while rotating the component in the C axis simultaneously. Accurate synchronization between the axes is maintained via CNC with digital drive technology controlling all axis movements. The machine features menu-driven, touchscreen CNC programming; quick-change tooling; high-power spindles; and on-machine probing. Other models capable of accommodating workpieces ranging from 150 to 650 mm (6" to 25") in diameter are available, as is a larger model that accommodates workpieces ranging to 1 m (40") in diameter.