Full five-axis machining centre

Citation

(2002), "Full five-axis machining centre", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 74 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2002.12774cab.006

Full five-axis machining centre

Keywords: Machining, Aerospace industry

High precision, rigidity and full five-axis interpolating capability are features claimed of the new Toyoda FH8OS machining centre, which has a table capacity of up to one tonne. The design has been optimised for die and mould work, production of aerospace components and other applications requiring machining of complex surface geometry on medium to large components (Plate 6).

Plate 6 The new Toyoda FH8OS 5-axis horizontal machining centre, which has a table capacity of one tonne, is optimised for die 1 mould and aerospace component machining and similar complex work.

The machine is based on Toyoda's established horizontal machining centre design that includes double ballscrews on the Y-axis, but with the addition of a trunnion-mounted table to provide A-axis and B-axis rotary movement of the workpiece. This format is said to offer maximum rigidity for five-axis machining, as trunnion mount and bearings can be sized without compromise. For ease of program development and maximum rigidity, the surface of the rotary (B-axis) table is along the same line as the axis of trunnion rotation (A).

The fifth axis is either driven from one side, in which case maximum payload is 600 kg; or the dual drive version provides the maximum 1,000 kg table capacity. The dual drive tilt 1 turn table is also more accurate, offering positioning repeatability of ± 1 arc seconds compared with ± 3 arc seconds for the single drive arrangement.

The table is said to be capable of supporting a 800 x 800 mm pallet and offers tilt movement of +1 5 to -1 00 degrees of arc in A, combined with 360 degrees of rotation in B. Linear axis movements available are 1,100 mm in X by 1,150 mm in Y by 1,150 mm in Z. Rapid feedrates are 15 m/min in X, 24 m/ min in Y and Z, 2 rpm in A and 4 rpm in B.

A range of BT 50 taper spindle options is available according to the application. They include a 22kW/14,000 rpm spindle with ceramic bearings for aluminium machining, a 30 kW 1 6,000 rpm spindle for.general ferrous work, and a 30 kW 1 15,000 rpm spindle for high speed ferrous machining. Spindle refrigeration is available as an option. Standard tool storage is 40, but magazines of up to 240 tools capacity may be specified. Maximum tool weight is 35 kg, and ATC time is two seconds for a 15 kg tool.

Control uses Toyoda's "AI nano" contouring software running on a powerful Fanuc 16i CNC system. The software has been developed to offer high accuracy at high speed through a 180-block look-ahead capability. Options available include NURBS interpolation. Linear machining feed rates up to 15 m/min are programmable and accuracy enhancing options include linear scales and high resolution rotary encoders.

Details available from: Toyoda Machinery & Engineering Europe. Tel: +44 (0) 2476 547200; Fax: +44 (0) 2476 547212; E-mail: sales@uk.toyoda-tmee.com