FANUC UK now offers what it describes as an affordable muti-axis turning and machining solution aimed at helping manufacturers in aerospace, automotive, utilities and energy supply chains reduce cycle times, cut costs, save space and boost production efficiency.

The FANUC RoboDrill D21LiB5ADV Plus vertical machining centre has a 24,000 rpm spindle and a Nikken two-axis high speed rotary table featuring a built-in direct drive motor that achieves 1500 rpm. Visitors to the MACH exhibition in Birmingham earlier this year could see the machine in action producing scroll compressor aluminium housings. The demonstration showcased the cost-saving and performance benefits available from combining milling and turning processes.

“FANUC and Nikken worked together to create a combined machining/turning cell with an extended range of functionality, offered at a fraction of the cost of machines with similar capabilities,” says Oliver Selby, head of UK sales at FANUC UK.

He continues: “At the heart of the solution is our D21LiB5ADV Plus RoboDrill, which is a three-axis machine in its core configuration. The Nikken table adds a further two axes, allowing users to turn and machine components on the same unit. This is a real breakthrough, bringing the functionality of million-pound machines within reach of SMEs at a significantly lower cost. It helps them become more competitive and to consider undertaking work that was previously beyond reach.”

Less than 3 m long and a little over 2 m wide, the RoboDrill/Nikken solution is a lean machine with a compact footprint. The Nikken 5AX-201 tilting-rotary table features pneumatic clamping to allow the rapid mounting and changing of difficult-to-hold components.

For further information www.fanuc.eu

DMG Mori has added a four/five-axis travelling-column machining centre with a working volume of more than 4.6 m³ to the upper end of its swivelling-spindle-head DMF range. The machine is suitable for integration into a user’s digital infrastructure and is compatible with the manufacturer’s exclusive technology cycles, such as in-cycle gear skiving or grinding.

Compared with the previous model (superseded), the DMF 400|11 is nearly one-third larger in capacity and 20% stiffer to enable more precise, vibration-free operation. An optional partition wall creates two separate workspaces for pendulum machining, allowing set-up of the next workpiece while the previous part is in production.

Stable machining performance is largely a result of a massive cast-iron bed and three cooled linear guideways in the X axis over which the column moves. In a double ballbar test, the DMF 400|11 achieves an accuracy of 5 µm, making the machine suitable for producing large moulds, dies and tools, as well as precision structural parts within the machine’s 4000 x 1100 x 1050 mm working envelope.

The fixed table accepts components weighing up to 8 tonne for the three- or four-axis machining of large components. Users can opt to integrate one or two flush rotary C-axis tables for fully interpolative five-axis machining, each capable of supporting components weighing 1200 kg, while a torque table option is available for demanding mill-turn applications. An add-on table as an A axis with a load capacity of 500 kg is a further option.

The ±120° B axis houses an integrated 15,000 rpm SpeedMaster spindle as standard but is available in a 20,000 rpm version or as a 12,000 rpm PowerMaster spindle having higher torque at 288 Nm.

For further information www.dmgmori.com

Haco A/S, has taken delivery of a huge Droop+Rein portal milling machine from Starrag to meet the needs of next-generation offshore turbines with rotor diameters that exceed 220 m. The special features of this 870 T colossus include its XXL size and unusually large basement section across two storeys.

“Never before have we built such an extensive tunnel system for a production plant; it’s reminiscent of ancient catacombs and even I’ve never seen anything like this anywhere else,” explains Starrag’s senior consultant sales/renewables Hubert Erz. “This expensive and elaborate investment for our customer facilitates service access and day-to-day collaboration.”

Laying the foundation involved processing 850 m³ of concrete and 100 T of steel.

“The foundation forms the base for the machine tool, and its stability and design help determine the level of precision that’s achievable with the machine,” says

Henning Albrechtsen, owner of Danish family-owned company. “In addition, the tunnel system within the foundation provides good access to all relevant machine assemblies and thereby ensures optimal ease of servicing.”

The company already owns five Dörries vertical turning lathes, helping it grow to become one of the leading Danish manufacturers of large components for the wind power and offshore industry. With the new machine, Haco and a Danish partner will machine front and stator sheets, and brake discs for wind turbines. The companies will also produce other, primarily welded, components and multiple steel rotor housings with weights of between 50 and 90 T and diameters of almost 11 m.

The machine has a clearance of 12.6 m between stands, while the gantry axis travels over a distance of 14 m and the tool slide allows a maximum stroke of 3.5 m.

For further information www.starrag.com