A new five-axis machining centre has been added to the Hermle C-series range, which now consists of seven models. The C 32 U Dynamic is capable of fully interpolative five-axis profiling as well as five-sided machining within a working envelope of 650 x 650 x 500mm.

The single-lift machine, which can be transported as a single unit and has three-point support requiring no special foundations, is available from sole UK and Ireland agent Geo Kingsbury Ltd, Gosport (www.geokingsbury.com).

Adaptation to partial or full automation is provided by Hermle’s extensive range of pallet change and storage systems, flexible manufacturing cells (including material and workpiece storage), and handling systems based on robotic configurations.

The C 32 U Dynamic is based on a gantry design with linear guideways above the working area. High productivity is ensured by an acceleration of 10m/sec2 to traverse rates of 60m/min in the linear axes. The Y axis has a tandem drive and features a patented arrangement of three guideways.

The fourth and fifth axes are provided by a C-axis rotary table mounted on a ±130deg swivelling A-axis trunnion that is driven from both sides and has its bearings set directly into the mineral cast bed.

The table is driven by a high-torque motor optimised for comparatively high speeds, making it possible to undertake robust roughing and light finishing operations (a worm gear-driven variant is available, depending on the intended applications).

Five spindle drives are offered; these have powers up to 29kW, torques up to 200Nm and speeds of 10,000, 18,000, 25,000 and 42,000rev/min. A circular tool magazine exchanges cutters in 4.5sec chip-to-chip and has space for 36 SK40 or HSK A 63 tools as standard. Options comprise 43, 87 or 160 pockets, and three variants of table are available. Control is via a Heidenhain iTNC 530 or a Siemens 840 D sl CNC.