Industrial Factory Automation

Moyola Precision Engineering has invested in three high-speed, six-axis machining centres from Dorries Scharmann Technologie (DST) for its aerospace division. Mark Semple, managing director at Moyola, said having an extra CNC axis in addition to the more usual five axes results in productivity and cost benefits when machining aircraft structural parts. An advantage is that deep recesses and other awkward areas on components can be accessed and machined at high speed by short cutters. If the same parts were machined on conventional five-axis machines, longer tools would be needed for clearance. There would be a consequent risk of chatter adversely affecting surface finish. The likelihood, therefore, is that cutting speeds and feeds would have to be reduced, compromising productivity. The kinematically-driven Sprint Z3 head on the two DST Ecospeed F2035 machining centres tilts through +/- 40 degrees in both the vertical A-axis and horizontal B-axis. This is said to be suitable for the m...

Mazak has introduced the Vortex II series of high-speed, simultaneous five-axis, vertical machining centres. The series is available in bridge or bed-type configuration, with axis travels up to 4,200mm x 1,400mm x 610mm in X, Y and Z and corresponding traverse rates of 20m/min (X), 32m/min (Y) and 20m/min (Z), along with a range of high-performance spindles offering up to 18,000 rev/min and 75kW (10-minute rating). As a result, the Vortex II series is ideally suited to large aerospace components such as wing spars and mould and die work. The machine's five-axis capability is delivered through the use of an A and B axis, on which the spindle is mounted. The +/-40-degree tilting action of these two axes allows cutting tool access to all available faces of the component, while the control provided by the Mazatrol FX (or Fanuc 31i) CNC system gives the ability to cut complex contours at high feed rates. Providing even greater versatility is the Variaxis II series of vertical machining...