Three of the five machines being displayed at EMO by Hartford will be new to UK-based manufacturers.

The company — represented in the UK exclusively by Sheffield-based TW Ward CNC Machinery (www.wardcnc.com) — will be demonstrating its Intelligent 5A-650, a gantry-type five-axis machining centre with an integrated swivel rotary table, a work envelope of 660 x 550 x 460mm and a 650mm-
diameter table on the fourth/fifth-axis unit.

This offers a B-axis movement of +110 to -50deg, while the C axis rotates a full 360deg. As standard, the machine is fitted with a 12.5kW direct-drive spindle; options are a 20kW unit or a 24kW unit.

The spindles incorporate a variety of ‘smart’ functions to accommodate high-speed use; these include wear diagnostics, thermal displacement compensation and internal cooling. Rapids are 30m/min, and there is a 24-station ATC (options include 30-, 40- and 60-tool ATCs).

Hartford’s Laurel HMC-8 is a horizontal machining centre with a work envelope of 1,000 ¥ 850 ¥ 950mm, an 800 ¥ 800mm pallet with a load capacity of 1,500kg, and a geared ISO 50 spindle rated at 18/25kW 6,000rev/ min.

The rapid-traverse rate is 30m/min (optionally 60m/min), cutting feed rates up to 8,000mm/min are available, and there is a 40-tool ATC (optionally 60 or 90 tools). Through-spindle coolant (300psi) is available as an option.

This machine features the Hartol Intelligent NC conversational control software, which includes 2.5-D CAM as well as utilisation management; it also supports Renishaw automatic measuring, tool management and workpiece calibration routines. Also new is the HSB-128.

This features a double column, one-piece cross beam and enhanced cooling for all the major machine elements.

The X, Y and Z traverses are 1,200, 800 and 700mm respectively, and loads up to 2,500kg can be accommodated. (Hall 9, Stand A38/B33)