#2018 Redditch-based Heller Machine Tools Ltd (www.heller.biz), featured the integration of machine tools and controls into the Industry 4.0 environment.

There were daily presentations by Bernd Zapf, head of development (new business and technologies) at the company’s headquarters in Germany, highlighting the major developments that have been made.

From a machine perspective, MACH marked the UK launch of the HF 3500 five-axis horizontal machining centre.

Built in the UK, this machine is intended for the five-sided or simultaneous five-axis machining of complex prismatic parts in medium-to-large batches.

The maximum table load is 550kg, while an optional speed package enables 10m/sec² acceleration and rapids of 90m/min to be achieved, reducing chip-to-chip time by about 10% compared with the standard machine.

The work envelope is 710 x 750 x 710mm, and the machine can be equipped with a lift-and-rotate pallet changer for series five-sided production; pallet automation solutions are also available.

The HF 3500 was displayed connected to the open-platform cloud-based visualisation software MindSphere; this is part of Siemens’ Sinumerik-Edge, which continuously monitors machine condition.