HMC Enables High-Speed Change-Overs

Tongtai's HA-400II horizontal machining center, available from Absolute Machine Tools, features a rigid, FEA-tested design with a cast iron machine frame and three-point leveling system. X-, Y- and Z-axis travels measure 24" × 23" × 23". The 12,000-rpm, Big Plus 40-taper spindle employs a 33.5-hp motor with 75-mm-diamater ceramic bearings and produces 173 foot-pounds of torque. According to Absolute, the HMC’s combined high power and high torque capabilities enables spindle acceleration from 0 to 12,000 rpm in 2 sec.

All three axes employ rigid 45-mm, roller-type linear guides and 40-mm, pre-tensioned ballscrews for accuracy. Using FANUC’s low-inertia servomotors, the HMC achieves a rapid traverse rate of 2,362 ipm with acceleration as high as 0.89 g, reducing non-cutting times, the supplier says.

The machining center's automatic toolchanger uses a roller-cam drive to reduce tool-change time to 1.5 sec. The high-speed, rotary-type pallet changer exchanges pallets in 10 sec. while providing 37,400 lbs. of pallet clamping force to handle difficult applications. Utilizing a high-speed servo index, the fully encircled B-axis brake improves holding power.

The HMC’s rear discharge, dual-level chip conveyor system includes a standard shower and fine separation system with back flushing. This chip management system is suitable for all types of chips and materials. Through-spindle coolant promotes thermal stability and air purging helps to keep out contaminates.