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New Precision 5-Axis VMC from Makino

Sept. 1, 2010
Minimized workpiece setup with improved part access for five-face machining and full five-axis processing

The new Makino new F5-5XR VMC combines speed, precision and flexibility for tight tolerance, five-axis, hard-milling applications, such as die/mold, aerospace and medical parts.

A new vertical machining center from Makino, the new F5-5XR vertical machining center combines the speed, precision and flexibility required for tight tolerance, five-axis, hard-milling applications, into an “affordable five-axis system for machining complex, die/mold, aerospace and medical parts.”

“The F5-5XR offers the same speed and precision of the Makino’s F5 machine, but with the added flexibility inherent to five-axis machining centers,” states VMC product manager William Howard. “Using simultaneous five-axis, ‘2+3 machining’ or even simple five-face machining techniques, the F5-5XR helps manufacturers reduce part set-up and handling, cut lead-times, improve quality and lower costs – while providing outstanding precision and fine finishes in very demanding, complex, 3D contoured part applications.

The F5-5XR provides X-, Y- and Z-axis travels of 35.4 inches, 19.7 inches and 17.7 inches, respectively, the 39.4-inch-by-19.7-inch machine work table provides ample room for the 5XR table and workpiece arrangement as well as additional table space for a vice to accommodate other non-five axis work and an optional laser Automatic Tool Length Measurement (ATLM) system.

The F5-5XR’s new rotary table design delivers more speed, accuracy and power. Its compact design provides an expanded work zone over previous rotary tables, making it possible to machine larger workpieces.

A dual-taper, double disc braking mechanism generates higher clamping torque for both the tilt and rotary axes, supporting heavier cutting forces in hard materials. This table design also improves productivity thanks to increased tilt and rotary speeds, while maintaining precise positioning accuracies with a repeatability of ±2 arc seconds.

Included in the standard configuration F5-5XR is a 20,000-rpm, HSK-63A spindle that incorporates Makino’s patented core-cooling, under-race and jacket spindle temperature control system. The two-range spindle supplies wide range capability with the stiffness and rigidity at lower ranges for roughing operations - and vibration, chatter-free production of small details and fine features utilizing small tools at high rpm. In addition, a 30-tool magazine provides capacity for a wide array of tooling.

The F5-5XR utilizes the Makino Professional 5 Control, which affords the perfect blend of a Windows CE graphical user interface (GUI), touch-screen selection offering instant access to information literally at your fingertip, user-friendly, efficient PC-like capability for data management and editing and the networking and storage capability of a data center.

Also featured in the F5-5XR is Makino’s proprietary Super Geometric Intelligence (SGI.4) software – developed for high-feedrate, tight-tolerance machining of complex, 3-D, contoured shapes involving continuous tiny blocks of NC data insures production rates faster than standard CNC systems while maintaining high accuracy. SGI.4 helps provide the lowest cycle times and costs achievable by reducing machining cycle times on dies, complex cavities and cores and medical parts by as much as 40% when compared to most other control technologies.