Cutting Machine features monolithic column design.

Press Release Summary:

PHOENIX® II 275 HC CNC Bevel Gear Cutting Machine is designed to machine gears with pitch diameters up to 275 mm. While it can accommodate wet cutting processes, it is well-suited for dry machining. Cutter spindle and work spindle are mounted directly to column, and cutter spindle pivots to create root angle, rather than mounting workspindle on rotating base. Machine includes direct-drive spindle motors and is available with FANUC 160i or Siemens 840D CNC.

Original Press Release:

New Gleason Phoenix(R) II 275 HC Bevel Gear Cutting Machine Features 35% Smaller Footprint, 'Designed-For Dry' Design

Rochester, New York, October 25, 2001-- Gleason's new PHOENIX® II 275 HC CNC Bevel Gear Cutting Machine features a breakthrough monolithic column design that optimizes dry machining, significantly reduces floor space requirements, and greatly improves cycle times. As compared to its PHOENIX 175 HC predecessor, the new 275 HC occupies 35% less floor space (just 90 sq. ft. vs. 140 sq. ft.). Yet it is designed to machine gears with pitch diameters as large as 275 mm -- significantly more capacity than the 175 mm found on the PHOENIX 175 HC. While the 275 HC can accommodate wet cutting processes, it is particularly well-suited for dry machining. It is the only machine of its kind to feature a cast-iron monolithic column design that eliminates the need for a conventional machine bed. The cutter spindle and work spindle are mounted directly to the column, and the cutter spindle pivots to create the root angle, rather than mounting the workspindle on a rotating base. This permits the shortest possible structural overhang of both cutter and work for maximum stiffness and thermal stability. It also for the first time enables hot dry chips to fall completely clear of the machine structure into a simple chip conveyor, without the need for shrouds, vacuum systems or even hot chip-related temperature compensation for heat buildup in the base. This unique design also greatly simplifies and speeds part load/unload and cutter changeover time, because both the cutter and workpiece now conveniently face the operator and are only 6" and 11" away respectively. The 275 HC also features direct-drive spindle motors, which further reduces setup and machining times by eliminating the need for typical mechanical adjustments, change gears or draw rod switch setups. Acceleration/deceleration rates are significantly improved too. Like its predecessor, the 275 HC can accommodate all styles and types of Gleason and non-Gleason cutters and cutter systems for face milling and face hobbing. It is available with either the FANUC 160i or the Siemens 840D CNC.