Makino's a51nx-5XU 5-axis horizontal machining center (HMC) is designed to address the needs of medical, aerospace, prototype and complex multi-face parts manufacturers by consolidating operations. "With a newly designed 5th-axis table and work-pallet magazine, this new machining center enables manufacturers of complex parts to obtain high levels of utilization and efficiency," said a company spokesperson.
"When looking for a small 5-axis machining solution, companies are typically limited to single-pallet-load vertical machining centers," said Dave Ward, Makino's Horizontal Product Line Manager. "The a51nx-5XU stands apart with its horizontal orientation, integral cast 5th-axis table and integrated workpiece automation. Together, these features provide for a highly productive, highly reliable multi-axis machining solution that eliminates recutting of chips, stack-up errors and challenges of 5-axis part loading. It is an effective blend of capabilities for the manufacturing of rotating cutting tools, aerospace, medical and prototype components."
According to the company, the linear X, Y and Z axes of the a51nx-5XU are built from the same structure as Makino's a51nx HMC. "Its rigid bed casting with three-point leveling system provides a solid foundation for all critical machine components," said the spokesperson. "A tiered-column design redirects machining forces and resists deflection even high in the Y-axis. These features are further complemented by high-performance linear guides for long-term reliability. Altogether, the a51nx-5XU design offers dynamic stiffness and exceptional vibration management for a high degree of cutting stability."
With increasing demand for small-part 5-axis machining, many companies are adding aftermarket 5th-axis rotary tables to 4-axis machining centers, according to the company. "These 5-axis retrofits frequently offer less rigidity and pose several challenges in cable interface management," said the spokesperson. "The a51nx-5XU avoids these issues with a single casting design that houses and integrates the B- and C-axis' twin direct-drive motors. This single-piece casting provides ideal rigidity and a minimized profile that reduces interference between the spindle and worktable. All cables are concealed to the roofline of the machine's splashguard and can be easily accessed and managed outside of the machining area. The a51nx-5XU rotary table design eliminates the stack-up errors, loss of rigidity and cable management challenges common to many table-on-table designs."
According to the company, the design of the large direct-drive motors within the B and C axes enhance the productive capabilities of the a51nx-5XU and are designed to provide rapid traverse rates of 75 RPM and 150 RPM to minimize non-cut times. "Jacket cooling of the direct-drive motor stators and bearing perimeters eliminate all risk of thermal deformation to help maintain repeatable, high-accuracy performance with exceptional quality," said the spokesperson. "The C-axis also benefits from a BT-style 50-taper Big Plus (BBT50) interface and clamping mechanism, which provides location and clamping of the workpiece within the 5-axis machine envelope."
"Traditionally, one of the biggest challenges associated with 5-axis part production has been automated capabilities," continued the spokesperson. "This is why Makino designed the a51nx-5XU with a work-pallet magazine (WPM) that simplifies pallet changes in horizontally oriented 5-axis applications and facilitates unattended operation for more value-added labor demands."
According to the company, the WPM is designed to take the place of a traditional horizontal pallet changer and provide manufacturers with automated load/unload capabilities for maximum machine utilization. "This technology follows a similar design to that of Makino's proven matrix tool magazine, ensuring quick and reliable transfer of workpieces between magazine and machine worktable," said the spokesperson. The standard WPM, according to the company, offers storage capacity of 22 different workpieces with sizes up to 300 mm in diameter by 300 mm tall. An optional larger capacity WPM provides storage of up to 58 workpieces with diameters up to 200 mm. Parts are mounted directly to the 50-taper dual-contact tool holders (BBT50) and stored in the WPM matrix. "This capability makes the a51nx-5XU an ideal solution for continuous, unattended manufacturing in both high-mix, low-volume and low-mix, high-volume production environments," said the spokesperson.
The WPM system includes a dedicated work-setting station (WSS) for loading and set-up operations. According to the company, the WSS provides convenient and ergonomic operator access. A nearby work data management panel is designed to allow operators to process data defined per pallet and manage work schedules. "Priorities can be set and changed for each pallet, helping to accommodate for engineering changes or urgent one-off part orders," said the spokesperson. "For advanced levels of scheduling control and machine networking, the a51nx-5XU can also be equipped with Makino's MAS-A5 control system."
For more information contact:
Mark Rentschler
Makino Inc.
7680 Innovation Way
Mason, OH 45040
800-552-3288
www.makino.com
Southwest
TX
Andy Mustaine
Single Source Technologies
1701 W. Northwest Hwy.
Grapevine, TX 76051
877-778-5151
andy.mustaine@singlesourcetech.com
OK
KOMT
9511 E 55th Place
Tulsa, OK 74145
918-664-6064
tulsa@komt.com
LA
Michelle Hanberry
c/o Oliver Van Horn Co.
4100 Euphrosine St.
New Orleans, LA 70125
504-210-3042
michelle-hanberry@ohvanhorn.com
NM
Moncktons Machine Tools, Inc.
928 Canvas Back Rd.
Rio Rancho, NM 87144
505-891-8845
hmorrismmt@aol.com
AR
Bill Myers
Single Source Technologies (SST)
26762 Success Drive
P.O. Box 708
Madison, AL 35758
256-301-0040
bill.myers@singlesourcetech.com
Southeast
NC, SC, VA
Dan Beckman
Single Source Technologies (SST)
415 Brookshire Road
Greer, SC 29651
864-801-8181
www.singlesourcetech.com
W. NC, SC
Chris Beckman
Single Source Technologies (SST)
415 Brookshire Road
Greer, SC 29651
Cell: 864-915-7307
chris.beckman@singlesourcetech.com
E. VA, Northeast NC
Bob Hodge
Single Source Technologies (SST)
1316 Elmwood Drive
Colonial Heights, VA 23834
Cell: 804-720-2198
bob.hodge@singlesourcetech.com
West Central NC, E. SC, W. VA
Bob Winstanley
Single Source Technologies (SST)
148 Hampshire Drive
Mooresville, NC 28115
Cell: 704-577-3391
bob.winstanley@singlesourcetech.com
Central NC, VA
Dan Fredrickson
Single Source Technologies (SST)
415 Brookshire Road
Greer, SC 29651
Cell: 336-831-4246
dan.fredrickson@singlesourcetech.com
AL, GA, MS, TN
Bill Myers
Single Source Technologies (SST)
26762 Success Drive
P.O. Box 708
Madison, AL 35758
Cell: 256-777-8806
bill.myers@singlesourcetech.com
www.singlesourcetech.com
AR, Upper MS, W.TN
Tom Van Hersh
Single Source Technologies (SST)
26762 Success Drive
P.O. Box 708
Madison, AL 35758
Cell: 901-569-2251
thomas.vanhersh@singlesourcetech.com
Central and Eastern TN
Craig Montalbano
Single Source Technologies (SST)
26762 Success Drive
P.O. Box 708
Madison, AL 35758
Cell: 865-805-3686
craig.montalbano@singlesourcetech.com
AL
Jack Nash
Single Source Technologies (SST)
26762 Success Drive
P.O. Box 708
Madison, AL 35758
Cell: 205-612-9371
jack.nash@singlesourcetech.com
GA, FL
Gaylon Gregory
Single Source Technologies (SST)
26762 Success Drive
P.O. Box 708
Madison, AL 35758
Cell: 770-283-4852
gaylon.gregory@singlesourcetech.com
AL, AR, FL, GA, MS, TN
Bob Ash
Single Source Technologies (SST)
Tooling & Consumables
26762 Success Drive
P.O. Box 708
Madison, AL 35758
Cell: 256-200-1100
bob.ash@singlesourcetech.com
FL
Bob Arthur
Robert Arthur Machinery, Inc.
5903 Johns Rd.
Tampa, FL 33634
813-887-4455
sales@arthurmachinery.com
www.arthurmachinery.com
Northeast
CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, NH, NJ,
E. PA, RI, Long Island (EDM only)
Single Source Technologies (SST)
30 Chapin Road, Suite 1208
P.O. Box 655
Pine Brook, NJ 07058-0655
800-336-7283 / 973-227-6601
www.singlesourcetech.com
MA, CT, ME, NH, RI, VT
Able Machine Tool Sales
800 Silver St.
Agawam, MA 01001
413-786-4662
sales@ablemts.com
www.ablemts.com
DE, NJ, MD, E. PA, Long Island
Automation Solutions, Inc.
2 Hagerty Blvd., Ste. 300
West Chester, PA 19382-4956
610-430-3670
inquire@asi-pa.com
www.asi-pa.com
NY
Meagley Machinery, Inc.
8384 Glen Eagle Dr.
P.O. Box 51
Manlius, NY 13104
315-952-8525
W. PA, WV
Allegheny Machine
632 E. McMurray Rd.
McMurray, PA 15317
800-269-4090 / 724-942-4451
www.allegmach.com
Midwest
KY
Technical Equipment Sales
P.O. Box 99793
Louisville, KY 40269
800-852-0582
IN
Technical Equipment Sales
4501 Earhart Lane
Ft. Wayne, IN 46809
800-852-0582
OH
Technical Equipment Sales
10165 International Blvd.
Cincinnati, OH 45246
800-852-0582 / 513-874-0160
Technical Equipment Sales
6900 Southpointe Pkwy., Ste. A
Brecksville, OH 44141
800-852-0582
MI
Single Source Technologies (SST)
2600 Superior Court
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
248-232-6232
ctg@singlesourcetech.com
MN, ND, SD
Productivity, Inc.
15150 25th Ave. N
Minneapolis, MN 55447-1981
763-476-8600
productivity@productivity.com
WI
Preston Giles
Single Source Technologies (SST)
W229 N2510 Duplainville Rd., Unit 2
Waukesha, WI 53186
262-960-0463
IL
Preston Giles
Single Source Technologies (SST)
1135 Jansen Farm Dr.
Elgin, IL 60123
847-468-1295
NE
Productivity, Inc.
13435 A Street
Omaha, NE 68144
402-330-2323
prone@productivity.com
IA
Productivity, Inc.
9440 Atlantic Drive SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
319-632-4288
proia@productivity.com
KS
Mark Rehwinkel
Makino - Direct Wichita
2333 S. West St.
Bldg #100, Suite #103
Wichita, KS 67217
513-573-3607
mark.rehwinkel@makino.com
MO
Preston Giles
SST-Midwest
1135 Jansen Farm Drive
Elgin, IL 60123
847-468-1295
West
N. CA, NV
John Cardana
Clancy Machine
3942 Valley Ave., Bldg. K
Pleasanton, CA 94566
925-249-2299
Cell: 925-575-4011
jcardana@clancymachinetool.com
S. CA
Scott Venter
Single Source Technologies (SST)
17800 Newhope Street, Ste. K
Fountain Valley, CA 92708-5429
Cell: 714-329-1439
scott.venter@singlesourcetech.com
S. CA (Inland Empire, San Diego)
Wes Colony
Single Source Technologies (SST)
17800 Newhope Street, Ste. K
Fountain Valley, CA 92708-5429
Cell: 714-904-3804
wes.colony@singlesourcetech.com
S. CA (Los Angeles, Orange County)
Bill Gocke
Single Source Technologies (SST)
17800 Newhope Street, Ste. K
Fountain Valley, CA 92708-5429
Cell: 714-659-0552
bill.gocke@singlesourcetech.com
S. CA (San Fernando Valley,
San Gabriel Valley, Santa Clarita Valley)
Rob Wood
Single Source Technologies (SST)
17800 Newhope Street, Ste. K
Fountain Valley, CA 92708-5429
Cell: (805) 844-1331
rob.wood@singlesourcetech.com
AZ
David Gundersen
Single Source Technologies (SST)
17800 Newhope Street, Ste. K
Fountain Valley, CA 92708-5429
Cell: 602-228-0347
david.gundersen@singlesourcetech.com
MT, ID, WY, UT, WY, CO
Mark Smith
Moncktons Machine Tools (CO)
637 Osage Street
Denver, CO 80204
Cell: 303-917-3072
msmith@mmtdenver.com
OR, WA
John Ellis
Ellis Machinery
6226 20th Street E
Fife, WA 98424
253-926-6868
john@ellismachinery.com