Vertical machining centres are designed for producing smaller, complex components requiring full 5-axis interpolative metalcutting and has arrangement of three staggered Y-axis guideways.

The C-series of vertical machining centres from the German manufacturer, Hermle, has been extended by the addition of a smaller 3/5-axis model with axis travels of 600 x 450 x 450mm. Availability in the UK is through sole agent, Geo Kingsbury Machine Tools. Designated C 20 U, the machine has a working volume around two thirds that of the next larger machine in the range.

It is ideal for producing smaller, complex components requiring full 5-axis interpolative metalcutting, achieved by combining the motions of three linear axes with those of a 360 deg rotary table mounted on a +/-115 deg swivelling trunnion.

Hermle machines are generally supplied in this configuration.

However, the maximum component weight of 300kg supported by a 5-axis C 20 U can be increased to one tonne if a user opts for a fixed-table, 3-axis version of the machine.

In this case, an optional, CNC rotary indexing head can be built into one side of the bed to provide 4-axis machining capability.

As with larger machines in the range, the new model has the patented arrangement of three staggered Y-axis guideways, one central to, and set back from, the outer two.

This effectively halves the Y-axis span and gives stable traverse using three-point support combined with a single drive in line with the central carriage on the gantry.

A mineral casting bed also promotes stable, vibration-free machining.

High productivity results from 6m/s2 acceleration to 45m/min in all linear axes, fast rotary axes, and 4.5s chip-to-chip tool change from the 30-station (optionally 43- or 87-station) magazine.

Specification of the 40-taper spindle ranges from 10,000 rev/min/32kW to 40,000 rev/min/26kW to suit diverse applications, from contouring tool steel to high-speed machining of light alloys for the aerospace industry.

Control options are Heidenhain iTNC 530 or Siemens Sinumeric 840 D, both of which are Ethernet enabled for networking.

For users that do not have collision detection as part of their CAM software, Hermle provides a novel safety system.

If a cycle is incorrectly programmed so that the spindle hits the workpiece or table in rapid traverse, six mounting bolts with collapsible sleeves crumple and absorb the energy just long enough for the shock to be detected and the infeed stopped.

The spindle is saved from damage and needs only to be remounted with six new bolts.

Hermle offers multiple automation options for 'lights-out' running based on pallet change, transport and storage that either serves one machine, or can be extended to configure a flexible manufacturing system.