The latest addition to the Reiden Technik RX series of five-axis milling and turning centres is to be exhibited at EMO (Hall 13, Stand B53).

The RX12, which is available from Hinckley-based 2D CNC Machinery Ltd (www.2dcnc.co.uk), incorporates Reiden’s patented double-drive spindle technology (DDT); the spindle can swivel between horizontal and vertical planes within 1sec, while the slim head design has pneumatic clamping to hold position when used for turning cycles in conjunction with the direct-drive rotary table.

Reiden’s RX12 will be demonstrated in cell form with a twin-pallet system. The machine has axis travels of 1,300mm in X, 1,450mm in Y and 1,000mm in Z, with a rapid-traverse rate of 50m/min.

In addition, the A axis for the spindle offers 0-90deg travel to accommodate horizontal and vertical cutter positions, while the 1,200mm-diameter rotary table is rotated via a programmable gearless drive at up to 400rev/min.

The DDT spindle concept uses two separate motors that are built into the same housing and are connected via a bevel-gear coupling arrangement. Hydraulic power is used to engage or disengage the higher torque system, which also allows the unused drive to freewheel.

A hybrid bearing system is hydraulically pre-loaded to support the higher torque drive, and the spindle head is water-cooled through a labyrinth of channels.

The spindle offers a through-tool coolant supply. There are a number of ‘more conventional’ spindle options available, including: 84kW 12,000rev/min (452Nm of torque); 38kW 16,000rev/min (135Nm of torque); 29kW 5,700rev/min (293Nm of torque); and 29kW 7,300rev/min (229Nm of torque.

Tool magazines can be selected with 65, 73, 173, 191 or 273 pockets. Although a twin-pallet system is being exhibited, machines can be supplied with up to five pallets (each 1,200 x 1,000mm) or a linear storage system. Machine control is via Heidenhain TNC 640 or Siemens 840D sl.