In terms of capacity, the new DMC 1850 V vertical machining centre from Coventry-based DMG Mori UK Ltd (www.dmgmori.com) has a work envelope of 1,850 x 700 x 550mm and a maximum table load of 3,000kg, placing it between the company’s 1450 model and the DMF range of travelling-column machines.

A one-piece cast-iron bed, twin ball-screws in all axes, a cooling system and linear-scale positional feedback to the Siemens 840D or Heidenhain TNC 640 control (with proprietary CELOS interface) combine to deliver an accuracy that includes circularity of less than 5µm.

The machine is thus suited to mould-making and the production of precision aerospace parts.

There is a choice of spindles: those with maximum speeds of 15,000, 20,000 or 40,000rev/min, or an optional SK50/HSK-A100 spindle offering up to 288Nm of torque.

The standard tool magazine capacity is 20 pockets, which can be expanded to 120, while the maximum tool length is 400mm.

Short non-cutting times result from automatic tool change in under 1sec and 5m/sec2 acceleration in all axes to a rapid-traverse rate of 42m/min.

Ergonomic operation is another feature of the machine, thanks to a door that opens to nearly 2m and a distance of just 677mm from the front of the machine to the centre of the 2,160 x 750mm table.

The bed inclines steeply at 35deg, which — together with flushing — ensures that chips are removed efficiently.