Five-Axis Machining with a Modified Gantry Design

The Hermle C 400 five-axis machining center features a modified gantry design in which all linear-axis drives are above and outside the working area. The machining center features a mineral-cast base and a rotating table mounted on a rigid trunnion mechanism to increase vibration damping. The two-sided trunnion design enables a table-load capacity ranging to 2,000 kg and increased chip control.

The machine’s 15,000-/18,000-rpm main spindle is powered by a 20-kW drive delivering as much as 180 Nm of torque. A slim spindle housing design enables deep-cavity machining with shorter tools. Six displacement sleeves offer collision protection, and the two-piece spindle design enables faster service access, the company says. Ergonomic features are said to include an accessible work area, a movable control panel and an easy-to-load magazine.

The machine’s work area measures 850 × 700 × 500 mm. The NC-controlled rotary table provides a clamping surface measuring 650 × 540 mm in diameter and a swivel range of +91/-139 degrees. An optional rigid clamping table measures 1,070 × 700 mm with a maximum load of 2,000 kg. The swiveling A-axis and rotary C-axis kinematics are said to enable more effective and precise machining strategies. A pick-up toolchanger features 38 positions (87 positions optional with the extended tool magazine) and a chip-to-chip time of approximately 6.0 sec. The machining center is equipped with a Heidenhain iTNC 530 control.