At the
EMO 2015 machine tool exhibition in Milan, Averex Automation demonstrated for the first time a new automatic pallet change system for its twin-pallet Akari HS-450i horizontal machining centre, which is available in the UK and Ireland from Kenilworth-based Whitehouse Machine Tools Ltd (
www.wmtcnc.com).
Furthermore, the machine’s servo-driven six-pallet unit is designed to be retrofitted in less than a day (it can, of course, be factory-fitted).
When the four-axis HS-450i was launched, a feature of the machine was the ability to retrofit an extension of the tool magazine; it is easy (and quick) to expand the number of tool pockets from 80 through 120 to 220.
Other features of the 12-tonne machine’s construction include single-piece FCD600 castings for the spindle and pallets, Tsubaki ballscrews, THK heavy-duty roller guideways, a Tsudakoma rotary table, a high-torque temperature-controlled Fanuc spindle motor with BIG Plus 40-taper tool interface, Kosmek tapered cones on the automatic pallet changer, and Fanuc 31i NANO control.
Meanwhile, an air/oil mist system delivers precise, pressurised lubrication to the ball-screws, roller guideways and spindle bearings, reducing thermal growth and allowing cutting accuracies of 2.5µm and a repeatability of 2µm to be maintained. Circularity and roundness are quoted as 3.6 and 2.1µm respectively, if the machine is installed in a temperature-controlled environment.
Other features include: a 15,000rev/min 22kW direct-drive spindle; a 1sec servo-driven tool change; a linear acceleration of 1g to 60m/min cutting feed rate; and a 640 x 610 x 680mm working volume. The maximum workpiece size is 750mm in diameter x 1m high.