Nidec OKK has unveiled its latest horizontal machining centre — the HX500 — engineered to meet the increasingly demanding requirements of high-performance machining in sectors such as aerospace, electric vehicles, robotics, and other precision-driven industries. The machine combines the company’s long-established expertise in rigid body construction with cutting-edge features designed to reduce cycle times and improve machining accuracy.
The HX500 incorporates a direct-drive motor system for its high-speed two-axis table and a rapid automatic tool changer (ATC), enabling faster transitions and reduced non-cutting time. The company said: “By adopting direct-drive motors for its A axis (tilt) and B axis (slewing), and a twin-drive axis for its Z axis, this product realises a fast-forwarding speed of 65m/min on each of its X, Y, and Z axes.” The A axis achieves a rotation speed of 50min, while the B axis reaches 100min. The main spindle supports high-speed machining with a maximum rotation speed of 15,000min.
Furthermore, to address chip accumulation, which can compromise machining precision, the HX500 features an inverted table mechanism that allows chips to fall directly into a central trough. Nidec OKK explained: “By removing chips with its tilting cover free of flat section and assisted by coolant flow, HX500 guides chips into its central trough to prevent them from accumulating.” The machine’s A axis also features an expanded tilting range of -210 to +30deg, enabling continuous inverted machining and further enhancing chip evacuation.
Compact footprintDespite its capabilities, the HX500 maintains a compact footprint of approximately 15m
2 (2.6 x 5.62m), making it suitable for installation in space-constrained production environments. The company noted: “This new model fits easily into narrow production spaces, and functions flexibly under diverse production environments.”
Operator ergonomics and maintenance efficiency are also central to the HX500’s design. The machine employs Nidec OKK’s proprietary APC mechanism, setting the pallet height at 1,050mm to reduce operator fatigue. An optional internal camera supports visual monitoring of machining areas, while centralised mechanical units and a maintenance interface on the operation panel allow users to track work history and receive timely alerts. The company added: “Operators can check, record, and manage history of work items on HX500, which provides timely warnings and alerts to notify operators.”
In line with sustainability goals, the HX500 includes an ECO sleep function that powers down servo motors and the chip conveyor during idle periods. Energy-efficient LED lighting and an inverter-controlled oil cooler further contribute to reduced power consumption. Nidec OKK concluded: “HX500 minimises its oil’s temperature fluctuation range and operates only when necessary to curb unnecessary energy consumption.”