Five-Axis Machine with Innovative Design, State of the Art Technology

Cincinnati Machine, A UNOVA Companye-axis HyperMach is designed to offer state of the art machining technology and the ability to machine "monolithic" parts, which are large aircraft structural components hogged out of a single billet of metal, usually aluminum. This method can eliminate hundreds of bolts, rivets, and other fasteners, increase production speed, eliminate tooling, and reduce the number of component parts cost of assembly operations.

The manufacturer states that in tests the machine has milled thin-walled aluminum structures from a single billet of material in less than 30-min. In addition, this machine targets a spindle speed of 60,000 rpm and higher, and a spindle speed of 100-hp (80 kW).

By using linear motors for all five axes, the machine contours at feedrates of 2,400 ipm (60 m/min) and rapid rates of 4,000 ipm (100 m/min). The machine changes direction at 2Gs, which is almost 800-in./sec².

Using hybrid ceramic (silicon nitride) ball bearings, the machine's low vibration HSK-63F motorized cartridge spindle is said to deliver high levels of accuracy, rigidity, bearing life, and spindle temperature stability.

In addition, the machine is equipped with the Siemens 840D Digital CNC/Digital Servo drives and features an innovative structural design. These two features provide high dynamic stiffness and enable accurate 5-axis contouring at fast metal removal rates, according to the manufacturer.

Because of its modular design, with all five axes moving behind the tool, several approaches are available for material handling. Options range from manual loading to a fully integrated multi-machine cellular manufacturing environment.

<%=company%>, 4701 Marburg Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45209. Tel: 513-841-8100. Fax: 513-841-8991.