Horizontal Boring Mills with Five Axis and Multi-Tasking Capabilities


Chicago, IL, September 6, 2006 - First introduced at the end of 2004, the new generation of Giddings & Lewis horizontal boring mills quickly became the fastest selling G&L product with more than 60 sold since their introduction. At IMTS 2006 Giddings & Lewis displays a rotary table boring mill, the RT 1250, with five-axis and multi-tasking capabilities.

Fifth Axis Table-On-Table
An optional C-axis vertical rotary table mounted on the built-in B-axis hydrostatic rotary table adds multi-axis machining capabilities. This configuration is well suited for aerospace components such as airframe parts since it reduces multiple setups and facilitates chip evacuation. The built-in rotary table offered on the RT and MC series features tapered roller radial bearings and preloaded hydrostatic axial bearings, which add stiffness for heavy-duty precise cutting.

Headstocks and Multi-Tasking Attachments
The three headstock choices all include a live spindle for increased manufacturing versatility. A programmable axis, the live spindle allows drilling and tapping as well as added reach for boring. With the added reach of a live spindle, manufacturers are able to use shorter tools which provide greater rigidity for hard metals such as titanium. The infinitely variable drive produces optimal cutting speed and improves part finish and tool life. The two or four-speed headstocks have 130 or 155 mm diameter spindles with 3500 to 4000 rpm spindles. All boring mills include the exclusive G&L spindle growth compensation which dynamically offsets spindle growth maintaining tight accuracies.

Among the productivity-enhancing options available on Giddings & Lewis boring mills are programmable boring bars and contouring head systems. CH heads and NC-controlled feedout bars, when used with a live spindle boring mill, offer significant advantages by reducing the number of setups, adding lathe capabilities such as turning, boring and grooving and allowing the machining of parts that may be too awkward to rotate on a lathe. Contours, chamfers, tapers, internal part geometries, phonograph finishes, threads and backfacing are some of the additional operations possible with feedout tools. Tooling costs are minimized since one tool can perform multiple operations. Another key advantage is the ability to reach deep into parts while maintaining a high degree of accuracy. A coupler or adapter plate provides a rigid interface between the machine and tool which can result in a better quality part. Traditional machining methods rely on the spindle taper to provide tool support which can result in chatter or distortion. CH heads and programmable boring bars may be automatically exchanged, reducing cycle time.

Modular Design Fits Machine to the Job
The entire range of boring mills is modular in design. Choices include various table styles and sizes, headstocks, controls, attachments and X-, Y- and W-axis travel options. The configurable design lets manufacturers fit the machine to their requirements. Affordability was a key design criterion for the new boring mill lines. The result is a complete line of customizable machines at prices and deliveries competitive with standard machines.

Solid Construction Produces a Rigid Cutting Platform
Solid, rigid design is a G&L tradition maintained in the new boring mill series. The column, bed and saddle castings are even more substantial than their predecessors. Internal X-bracing in the column along with wide way spreads add structural integrity to resist deflection and minimize vibrations. The resulting rigidity of the cutting platform allows heavy metal removal, at a high level of precision.

High-Performance Drive/Way System
The hardened and ground preloaded roller guideways used on the G&L horizontal boring mills provide the capacity, friction characteristics, durability and maintainability necessary for high-performance manufacturing. The design of the roller packs optimizes way surface contact and rigidity. At 25 m/min rapid traverse rates, Giddings & Lewis boring mills reduce cycle times for large part manufacturing.

The large, zero-backlash, hydraulically-preloaded ballscrews add to the axis stiffness and thrust performance. A gear-driven ballscrew drive design produces higher torque and reduces maintenance compared to belt-drive systems.

Standard linear scale feedback and proven high-performance way system produce faster positioning speeds, enhanced contouring performance, increased thrust and dependable accuracy.

Maintenance-Friendly, Ergonomic Design
The hydraulic and pneumatic services area was designed using Visual Uptime Management principles which are intended to improve and simplify maintenance and maximize machine and control availability. All services are centralized, easily accessible from floor level and clearly marked.

Range Of Models
The new generation of Giddings & Lewis boring mills includes the PT Series or plain-table boring mill, RT Series with built-in rotary table, MC Series which adds automation features including pallet shuttle and tool changers and the latest introduction, the FT and FTR Series of floor-type or traveling column boring mills.

IMTS
Giddings & Lewis displays the RT 1250 at the IMTS Show. The boring mill displays in the MAG Industrial Automation Systems booth, A-8218, South Hall, along with products and services from other MAG companies including: Cincinnati Machine, Cincinnati Limited, Cincinnati Automation & Test, Fadal, Cross Hüller Ex-Cell-O Lamb, Hessapp, Hüller Hille, Maintenance Technologies, Turmatic Systems and Witzig & Frank.

About Giddings & Lewis Machine Tools
Giddings & Lewis Machine Tools' headquarters and manufacturing facility is located in
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. The company supplies a worldwide customer base with products and services designed to improve manufacturing productivity. Giddings & Lewis builds a broad range of horizontal machining centers, horizontal boring mills and vertical turning centers for manufacturers in a variety of industries, from small job shops to large OEMs in the automotive, construction, aerospace and oilfield equipment industries.

Giddings & Lewis, together with Cincinnati Machine and Cincinnati Automation & Test, makes up Cincinnati Technologies, a unit of MAG Industrial Automation Systems. For more information about Giddings & Lewis, please visit www.giddings.com

About MAG Industrial Automation Systems
MAG Industrial Automation Systems (MAG-IAS), Sterling Heights, MI, is a group of leading machine tool and systems companies serving the durable-goods industry, worldwide, with a large portfolio of highly-recognized and well-respected brands. With manufacturing operations on five continents, MAG-IAS ranks as a leader in the global metalworking capital equipment market.

For more information about MAG Industrial Automation Systems or its companies visit mag ias.com

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