Combining cost-effectiveness with top performance and high specification, a trio of open fronted vertical machining centres feature user-friendly advanced programming routines as standard.

Combining cost-effectiveness with top performance and high specification, the trio of Hartford Kappa open fronted vertical machining centres available from Ward CNC of Sheffield continue the company's 'Japanese quality at Taiwanese prices' theme by being based on cast iron frame, and hardened and ground box slideways coupled with 8,000 rev/min spindle speeds and 24-tool automatic tool changer (ATC) for fast, flexible and cost-effective production routines. Importantly, a major feature of Hartford vertical machining centres is the user-friendly Hartrol advanced functionality programming routines available as standard with the Hartrol-Fanuc AI100 (OiMC) CNC. A series of easy-to-use cycles are designed to simplify and speed up programming times and therefore reduce downtime along with other useful setting and maintenance functions for ease of operator use.

For example, the routines embrace workpiece datum setting using edge setter, manual tool setting using calibrated setting block, tool magazine tracking (for arm-type ATC), tool logging and spindle load monitor, as well as full M Code listings and a comprehensive set of special canned cycles.

The largest of the Kappa machines, the 1300S/A, has a table of 1400mm by 610mm, 24-tool ATC and X, Y and Z axes travels of 1300mm by 610mm by 610mm.

It can accommodate table loads of 1,500kg and spindle speeds are 50-6,000 (8,000) rev/min from the 15/20kW motor.

A high power 26kW version is also available.

Featuring rigid tapping functionality and 20 bar through-spindle coolant, the machine includes a fourth-axis interface, and options include part probing and tool presetting probe.

The Kappa vertical machining centre range also includes the smaller capacity models 1100S/A and 1100S/A50, while higher speed linear guideway models are also available.