Vertical Mold Center has accuracy of less than 2 microns.
Press Release Summary:
Model VL30A delivers cutting feed rates to 1,574 ipm with 1G acceleration/deceleration rate. Suitable for mold work and multi-axis contouring applications, unit includes 7.9 x 11.8 x 7.9 in. X, Y, Z axes envelope and 11.8 x 15.8 in. table size. Its 5.5 hp spindle accepts HSK25 tooling and provides spindle speeds up to 50,000 rpm. Precision glass scale feedback system detects 0.1 micron increments, and integrated toolchanger holds up to 12 tools.Original Press Release:
Mitsui Seiki to Demonstrate High Accuracy, High Speed Vertical Mold Center at IMTS 2002
(Franklin Lakes, NJ - June 2002) The Mitsui Seiki VL30A Vertical Mold Center will be machining mold inserts at IMTS 2002, in booth A-8727. This machine is designed and built as a solution for mold and die manufactures to increase productivity and reduce the high cost of hand polishing and fitting mold inserts.
The VL30 is faster than EDM machines and conventional vertical spindle milling machines. Further, it has the renowned Mitsui Seiki accuracy built-in. The machine uses high thrust, high efficiency linear motor drives for the X, Y and Z axes, providing high response movement without backlash and dramatically increases acceleration and deceleration rates. It provides superior speed and motion control when performing high speed point milling in typical mold work and other multi-axis contouring applications. The VL30 delivers a cutting feed rate up to 1,574 ipm with a very quick, 1G acceleration/deceleration rate.
Specifications include 7.9 in. x 11.8 in. x 7.9 in. X, Y, Z axes envelope, an 11.8 in. x 15.8 in. table size and a compact 47 in. x 140 in. footprint.
According to Mitsui Seiki President Scott Walker, "One of the drivers in the mold industry is the need for quicker delivery of high accuracy mold components. The traditional electrical discharge machining is a very slow process costing several weeks in delivery time. The goal is to eliminate EDM processing and machine hard dies complete, reducing mold making from weeks to days. This allows mold makers to respond to their customers' delivery needs quickly. Our machine can produce these inserts significantly faster and with the highest accuracy available in the industry. That process traditionally was done by machining a graphite electrode, then EDMing the mold plate."
Mitsui Seiki builds its own high efficiency, high speed spindles. On the VL30, the 5.5 hp high speed spindle accepts HSK25 tooling and provides spindle speeds up to 50,000 rpm for precise roughing and fine finishing of small molds and mold components. An integrated toolchanger holds up to 12 tools. The machine can also be used in precision grinding applications.
Additional accuracy-related features include a precision glass scale feedback system which detects 0.1 micron increments. Like all of Mitsui's machines, the VL3O's geometric accuracy is stellar; VDI 3441 bi-directional accuracy is less than 2 microns in all axes. Its foundation is a high grade, gas emulsified, cast iron bed and the head is a special alloy for column weight reduction and stiffness characteristics. All axes incorporate roller guideways that are hand scraped to ensure accuracy, reduce wear and volumetric tolerance degradation.
Also at the show will be a prototype of the VL30 concept in a 5-axis tilting trunnion table configuration, ideal for turbine applications. It provides 50 rpm in the A-axis and 100 rpm in the B-axis.
For more information, visit IMTS 2002 booth A-8727, or contact Mitsui Seiki USA, Inc., (201) 337-1300, or on the web at www.mitsuiseiki.com.
