Hurco Companies, Inc. will show IMTS visitors how easy it is to implement and benefit from machine-tending automation due to the ProCobots-Hurco integration, the company reported.
Hurco will demonstrate the capabilities of ProCobots automation on several Hurco machines, illustrating how simple it is to set up and run different jobs through the Hurco control's Automation Job Manager feature, which eliminates the need for robot programming. Attendees will also see how quick it is to move ProCobots from one machine to another, as well as the collaborative robot's safety features.
While IMTS guests will notice the focus on automation, the Hurco control is what makes such complete automation integration possible. To demonstrate the power and flexibility of the Hurco control, visitors can interact with demo consoles and see the demonstrations on the following Hurco models: the new TM8MYi with live tooling and a Y-axis and the TM8i slant-bed lathe; the 3-axis VM ONE, VM15Di, VMX42Di and the 5-axis VMX60SRTi and VC500i. Hurco will also give visitors a glimpse of the future look of Hurco machines, exhibiting design concepts of the Hurco control and the CNC machine.
Why Automation?
"For years, Hurco has heard from small- to medium-sized manufacturing companies that have been affected by the labor shortage and struggle to find qualified employees," said a company spokesperson. "For the first time in 45 years, the U.S. is facing a labor shortage that is predicted to continue for the next two decades. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the shortage of employees for all industries will reach 8.3 million by 2030."
The spokesperson continued, "The need for automation was obvious, but implementing it, especially for high-mix manufacturing, was not always so simple. Job shops looking to add automation faced the roadblock of either having to learn how to program a robot or paying an integrator to set up the automation every time they had a new job."
"This is why Hurco created ProCobots and fully integrated automation into the Hurco control," added the spokesperson. "This completely eliminates the need for complex robot programing and allows the user to manage their automation through the Hurco control. Simply put: if you can run a Hurco, you can run ProCobots automation."
ProCobots automation allows shops to take the time-consuming task of loading/unloading parts off their machinists' plates, freeing them up to maximize their contribution by focusing on more important responsibilities. Not only does implementation of ProCobots automation on Hurco CNC machines expand the skillset of current shop floor employees, but it also increases the overall productivity of the shop. When machinists clock out, ProCobots can keep running through the night, maximizing profits.
TM8MYi
This new turning center was built to fill the gap between Hurco's general purpose TM Series and high-performance TMX Series of lathes. The TM8MYi is a slant-bed lathe with live tooling capabilities and a Y-axis that makes it possible to machine a pocket with straight walls and flat bottoms or perform off-center machining operations with just the click of a box. It also features a BMT55 turret, which is more robust and rigid than the more commonly used BMT45, the company reported. The machine will be introduced to the public at IMTS.
VM ONE
With a small footprint yet large work cube, this mill offers high productivity in an efficiently designed package. The VM ONE offers 26" x 16" x 14" of XYZ travels and requires 72.5" x 70.6" x 87.2" (WxDxH) of space. This 3-axis, general purpose machining center also features a belt-driven, 8,000 RPM, CAT 40, BIG PLUS spindle.
VM15Di
Another 3-axis machine in Hurco's VM Series, the VM15Di provides the same value as the VM ONE but in a larger, more powerful package. With 30" x 16" x 20" of XYZ travel, this machining center features a direct-drive, 12,000 RPM, CAT 40, BIG PLUS spindle. Hurco will use the VM15Di to preview design concepts of the machine and the control that illustrate the new look and feel of future machines.
VMX42Di
The VMX42Di (42" x 24" x 24" of XYZ travels) is part of the VMX Series, Hurco's signature line of CNC machining centers. This 3-axis mill is engineered to provide high-performance capabilities for any machining application, including die/mold work or batch production. With a 15,000 RPM, direct-drive spindle and BIG PLUS, CAT 40 spindle taper, the VMX42Di offers enhanced surface finish, reduced heat transfer, a quieter spindle and less head growth. It also enables reduced chip-to-chip time and faster spindle acceleration and deceleration due to the direct-drive spindle.
VMX60SRTi
Hurco's SRT Series of 5-axis machining centers offers multiple advantages, starting with the machine's design configuration that utilizes a B-axis swivel head with a C-axis rotary torque table. The generous size of the rotary table provides maximum versatility because the extra table space can be used for secondary operations, 3-axis work or plate work due to the rotary torque table being flush with the machine table. The VMX60SRTi has XYZ travels of 60" x 26" x 24" and a motorized 12,000 RPM spindle with 48 HP.
VC500i
The 5-axis universal design of the VC500i supports a wide range of parts and allows operators to use standard length tooling due to the B-axis configuration. The full +110°/-110° B-axis motion provides enhanced undercut capability. This machining center features 20.5" x 17.7" x 15.8" of XYZ travels, a 12,000 RPM, CAT 40 spindle and 40-tool ATC.
TM8i
This true 30° slant-bed lathe offers a small footprint, large work cube, chip management system and affordable price tag, making small batch manufacturing profitable, according to the company. The TM8i has a 23.2" distance between centers and 8" diameter chuck.
Booth Guest
Victoria Beaner will be at the Hurco booth to showcase her programming skills. Beaner is the 13-year-old drag racer who won the 2023 PDRA Sportsman Rookie of the Year title and is the newest team that Hurco is sponsoring in the world of racing. She makes parts for her racecar on a Hurco VM15Di.
Hurco machines will be exhibited in IMTS booth 338319, as well as at the booths of the following partners:
- Kawasaki Robotics: Booth 236520
- Air Turbine Tools: Booth 431645
- SolidCAM: Booth 339265.
For more information contact:
Hurco Companies, Inc.
One Technology Way
P.O. Box 68180
Indianapolis, IN 46268
800-634-2416
info@hurco.com
www.hurco.com
IMTS South Building, Level 3
Booth 338319