The new Heller F 8000 5-axis machining centreFollowing the introduction of the F 5000 and F 6000 five-axis machining centres, Redditch-based
Heller Machine Tools Ltd has extended its latest generation series with the launch of a larger capacity model, the F 8000, suitable for round-the-clock single-part manufacture through to flexible series production.
The machine is capable of producing parts within a 1,400 x 1,200 x 1,400mm working envelope, the X-axis stroke being 150mm longer than that of its predecessor. Nevertheless, the new machine occupies a 25% smaller, narrower footprint, thanks in part to a new design of rack-type tool storage. Four machines can be placed side-by-side where until now only three could be installed.
Heller’s tilting spindle head option (pictured left)If a user purchases an optional, enhanced specification PRO version, they will benefit from having a machine with 50% higher linear axis acceleration at 6m/sec
2, reducing chip-to-chip time by approximately 30%. The PRO package also offers greater precision, with positioning tolerance in X, Y, and Z axes of 6µm, representing a 25% improvement over the former model.
Equipped with an automatic pallet changer as standard, the new machine utilises 800 x 800mm pallets, although it is possible to use larger 1,000 x 1,000mm pallets. Maximum load is 2,000kg, but from the start of 2025 an optional pallet load of 3,000kg will be offered. In addition, extended automation with linear or rotary storage systems or robots is available.
The F 8000 uses the same modular system as the entire F series for key components such as heads, spindles, pallets and tool magazines. Machine structure is also consistent across the series, ensuring compatibility not only with previous five-axis generations, but also with Heller’s new H series of four-axis horizontal machining centres. Standardisation of structural components such as beds and columns enables the same strokes, pallet loads and workpiece dimensions.
The Heller rack-type tool magazine (pictured right)Among the highlights of the F 8000 and its smaller counterparts are the redesigned, high performance, swivelling heads with integrated motor spindles, developed and manufactured in-house. Equipped with an HSK-A 100 tool interface as standard, the Dynamic Cutting Universal unit achieves torques of 400Nm and speeds of 12,000rev/min.
The Speed Cutting Unit with the same interface provides 15,000rev/min, although with optional HSK-A 63 tooling, spindle speed is up to 18,000rev/min. For ultra-heavy machining, the Power Cutting Universal unit with gear-driven spindle delivers 1,146Nm of torque and speeds up to 8,000rev/min.
In addition to the swivel heads, a tilt head variant is available to enable a particularly high degree of flexibility in five-axis machining. It is due to the tilt kinematics allowing efficient machining of recesses and undercuts, which are often required when manufacturing aerospace components. A high-torque, direct-drive, rotary table for combined mill-turning operations is offered across the F series. It means that, in addition to prismatic machining operations, external and internal contours can be turned in a single set-up, improving accuracy and reducing cycle times.
The F 8000 is equipped with the latest Siemens CNC system, Sinumerik One, which will run programs on previous machines equipped with the Siemens Sinumerik 840D sl control.