PRESS RELEASE

A71 HMC EMPLOYS 50 TAPER SPINDLE AND 500MM PALLET

HMC EMPLOYS 50 TAPER SPINDLE AND 500MM PALLET
a71 on display at IMTS 2006

MASON, OH--September 2006--Makino is continuing to expand and diversify its product offerings by introducing the a71 into Makino’s competitively-priced, 1-Series line of horizontal machining centers (HMC). The a71 can help drive out manufacturing costs by providing high-speed performance, high reliability, durability, simplicity and throughput.

The a71 is ideal for manufacturing applications that require less precision but the same throughput and reliability of Makino’s premiere A-Series machines.

The a71 will be on display at the International Machine Tool Show (IMTS) at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois September 6-13, 2006. Visit Booth # 8301 in Hall A of the South Building to learn more about this and other technological innovations.

Also plan to visit Booth # D-4110 in the EDM Pavilion at IMTS to see demonstration on equipment and processes that meet the demand for micro-dimensions and ultra-high precision EDMing.

a71 Benefits and Features
The primary benefits of the Makino a71 include swift axis movement and faster spindle acceleration/deceleration than other HMCs. Out-of-cut time is diminished because of the machine’s standard ring-type, 60-tool magazine with short seek times (6 to 12 seconds) that is complemented by a quick automatic tool changer that has fast tool-to-tool (1.7 seconds) and chip-to-chip (3.2 seconds) times.

Makino’s a71 is the largest in the 1-Series line to date and can handle a payload of 1,540 pounds (700 kg). It has a 19.7-inch (500-mm) pallet and a standard 50 taper, 10,000-rpm spindle with exceptional acceleration characteristics and minimal vibration. The spindle is equipped with a
300-psi coolant system. Options include a high-powered, 6,000-rpm spindle.
Rapid traverse rate of the a71 is equal to the a51 at 1,968 ipm (50 m/min), while cutting feedrate is higher at 1,968 ipm (50 m/min). The a71 is capable of simultaneous B-axis movement with tool change and X-, Y-, Z-axis travel of 28.7 x 28.7 x 31.5 inches (730 x 730 x 800 mm). 

The a71’s footprint, which is 118 x 190 inches (3,000 x 4,825 mm), is smaller than most competitive machines and is designed for easy maintenance access around the entire perimeter. High-volume chip evacuation is facilitated by a wide-center trough with a standard rear discharge lift up chip conveyor that includes a coolant leakage protection design.

Other features include an automatic pallet changer with safety guard, a standard three-point support system, an ergonomic swing operator control panel, a safety-designed four-layer protective operator door window and a standard air filtration unit and overhead shower coolant.

The a71 comes standard with Makino's proprietary, next generation Geometric Intelligence (GI) servo control with Radical Mode. GI with Radical Mode helps provide the lowest cycle times achievable, while maintaining accuracy and meeting the customer’s Cpk requirements.
   
Makino now offers three machine solutions to a customer base with diverse needs:

  • Series for medium- to high-volume production shops, first- and second-tier automotive parts suppliers and general contract machining operations
  • Series for high accuracy and maximum flexibility of cutting materials
  • J-Series for high volume production automotive parts applications

Makino is a global provider of advanced machining technology and application support, where new thinking takes shape for the metalcutting and die/mold industries. Makino manufacturing and service centers are located in the United States, Japan, Germany, Singapore, Italy, France, Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, China, Mexico, Brazil and India, and are supported by a worldwide distributor network. For more information call 1.800.552.3288, or visit www.makino.com.

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a71 Images: JPG TIF

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Media Contact
Brandon Rhoten
HSR Business to Business
513.346.3588
makino@hsr.com