ARTICLE

October 1999-Makino’s new V55-5XA is a 5-axis vertical machining center that is ideal for machining intricately shaped parts and jobs involving multiface machining.

 

The V55-5XA’s five-axis capability creates greater spindle access to the part. This allows the production of highly detailed workpieces with a high degree of accuracy, making it ideal for machining aerospace and turbomachinery components, as well as complex dies and molds. The V55-5XA provides superior machined finishes on many types of complex surfaces, each with intricate, contoured and mirror-finish surface requirements.

The machine’s high-speed design features three direct-acting machine axes, and two rotating axes. The two rotating axes consist of the tilting a-axis trunnion, supported at both ends of the base, and the rotating c-axis provided above it. Rolling guideways with outstanding acceleration/deceleration performance are used in the three direct-acting axes. The robust machine construction combined with large-diameter, direct-acting bearings brings superb accuracy to any application.

With x, y and z axes travels are 35.4 x 19.7 x 17.7" (900 x 500 x 450 mm), the a-axis tilts 120 degrees and the c-axis rotates 360 degrees. The pallet size is 12.6 x 12.6" (320 x320 mm), with a maximum workpiece size of 19.7" d x 12.8" h (500 x 325 mm). The maximum pallet load is 440 lbs. (200 kg).

Thanks to the high-speed 14,000 rpm spindle, fast feeds at 50 m/min in all three direct-acting axes and 5-axis capability to simplify setups, the V55-5XA streamlines machining operations for enhanced efficiency.

High-Speed Technology
Faster than any machining center in its class, the V55-5XA’s innovations and features facilitate faster cycle time and reduced non-cut time:

• Its high-speed spindle accelerates to 14,000 rpm in only 2.3 seconds.
• With an optional spindle configuration, speeds of 20,000 or 30,000 rpm can be achieved for specific applications.
• 1,968 ipm (50 m/min) rapid traverse (x, y and z axes) with equally fast feedrates boost productivity by reducing out-of-cut time while increasing metal removal rates.
• Minimal spindle vibration during high-speed operation enhances machined surface quality and extends tool life.
• A high-speed automatic tool changer (1.5 second tool-to-tool) that reduces non-cut time and increases throughput rates.
• Individual machine "mapping" and proprietary Geometric Intelligence^TM servo control permit high feedrate cutting—even through corners, interpolations and toolpath changes—with unequaled accuracies.
• Three-point leveling eliminates the need for a special foundation, allowing fast, economical installation and easy redeployment for manufacturing flexibility.

Thermal Stability Minimizes Distortion
The V55-5XA features a patented spindle-core cooling system that circulates a large volume of temperature-controlled cooling oil through the center of the rotating spindle to cool it directly from the inside.

Moreover, with the under race lubrication system, cooling oil is circulated through holes in the inner bearing races to lubricate the bearings. Because the spindle is reliably cooled and lubricated, thermal distortion is kept to a minimum even during continuous high-speed operation.

With high-speed axis movement at 50 m/min, heat generation is also avoided on the V55-5XA by applying forced cooling to the ball screws.

Makino is a global provider of advanced machining technology and application support for the metalcutting and die/mold industries. Makino manufacturing and service centers in the United States, Germany, Japan and Singapore are supported by a worldwide distributor network.

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