"A Giddings & Lewis HMC 1600, combined with the machine's 42.3 kN (9,500 lb) cutting thrust, provided an ideal platform for the high-torque T-Rex spindle to demonstrate a high titanium metal removal rate (MRR) for a single spindle at 33.1 in3/min," said a company spokesperson. The recent test for an aerospace customer on titanium 6Al-4V utilized a Harvi indexable-insert end mill with 76.2 mm (3") tool diameter. The tool was driven at 245 RPM with an axial depth of cut at 76.2 mm (3") and a radial depth of cut at 25.4 mm (1.0"), with a feed rate of 1.14 mm/rev (0.044"/rev).
"This cut produced an enhanced surface finish with no sign of chatter and virtually no vibration," said Pete Beyer, Director of Product Strategy and Development at Fives Giddings & Lewis. "This spindle is built to handle the full Y-axis thrust of the machine, which can be equipped with higher torque axis motors to produce even higher metal removal rates."
The T-Rex spindle, available on four-axis HMC 1250/1600 machines, can deliver up to 2600 Nm (1,918 lb ft) torque to produce high metal removal rates on large workpieces of hard to machine materials, such as titanium, Inconel and Carpenter 465. Developed for the machining needs of aerospace, energy and heavy equipment manufacturers, the T-Rex spindle is engineered with 130 mm (5.1 in) I.D. bearings to handle the 42.3 kN (9,500 lb) cutting thrust capability of the HMC 1250/1600 series horizontal machining centers.
The T-Rex spindle is available on four-axis machines and provides 60 kW (80.5 HP) continuous power. The HMC 1250/1600 can also be provided with a five-axis high-torque tilt spindle with continuous torque of 1161 Nm (856 lb ft). Many other spindle options are available for the HMC series as well, including quill spindles and high speed units up to 24,000 RPM.
The HMC Series comes standard with linear scale feedback in X-, Y- and Z-axes, providing 8 µm (0.0003") positioning accuracy and 5 µm (0.0002") repeatability per ISO 230-2. Heavy-duty hardened and ground roller guideways enable a rapid traverse rate of up to 35 m/min (1,378 IPM) with high acc/dec rates, double the load capacity, and nearly 10 times the wear life of ball-type ways.
For more information contact:
Fives Giddings & Lewis, LLC
A subsidiary of Fives Machining Systems, Inc.
142 Doty Street
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
920-921-9400
www.fivesgroup.com