Aerospace OEMs and their suppliers are among the target audience for the new Heckert H/V (horizontal/vertical) continuous swivel head for five-axis machining in a single set-up. Just announced by Birmingham-based Starrag UK Ltd (www.starrag.com), the new head extends Heckert’s already wide range of spindles for its HEC machine range (1000 to 1800 Athletic), as well as its BHC horizontal machining centres (3500 to 5500).

In addition to undertaking milling, drilling and tapping as standard, the new head allows the machining centres to perform turning operations when used in conjunction with a rotating NC rotary table, spindle clamping and an HSK-T 100 tool-holder. As standard, tools up to 800mm long can be used; as an option, tools weighing up to 50kg can be accommodated. A torque of 1,660Nm is available for simultaneous five-axis machining, and hydraulic clamping is provided to ensure stability and security when milling and drilling at any fixed angle.

The H/V head, which can be positioned anywhere within the ±180deg swivel angle (0deg is horizontal, 180deg is vertical), has a 66kW (optionally 84kW) 1,860Nm servo motor that drives through a two-speed gearbox. The maximum spindle speed is 6,000rev/min (optionally 8,000rev/min).

Swivel movement is provided by direct drive, and it takes only 0.9sec to traverse 180deg. An absolute direct angle-measuring system offers a resolution of 0.001deg to ensure a high degree of precision.

HSK-A 100 or SK 50 tool-holder types A and B, BT 50 and CAT 50 are available; coolant can be supplied via nozzles at 60 litres per min or via the spindle and tool centre at a maximum pressure of 70 bar.