Horizontal Machining Center reduces non-cutting time.

Press Release Summary:



HMC 95, with 500 x 400 mm pallet, offers rapid traverse of 1970 ipm, acceleration of .7 g, and 4 sec chip-to-chip tool change. High torque, 2-speed spindle or high-speed 16,000 rpm spindle is available. Standard 360,000 position table has rotary indexing speed of 40 rpm. HMC 95 features 4 sigma accuracy of .0003 in. positioning and .00015 in. repeatability. It includes 50-tool magazine, Siemens 840D control and digital drives, and multiple pallet storage system.



Original Press Release:


Giddings & Lewis HMC 95 Horizontal Machining Center


Fond du Lac, WI-February 2002 - Giddings & Lewis will be displaying the HMC 95, a 500 x 400 mm horizontal machining center at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) in September. Introduced to the market in 2000, the size, price and features of the HMC 95 have helped it gain acceptance in production environments. In the eighteen months since the machine introduction, numerous turnkey projects have been completed. Examples of Giddings & Lewis applicated parts will be on display at IMTS.

The HMC 95, with a 500 x 400 mm pallet, is the smallest model in the HMC family. Seven HMC versions are available, from the HMC 95 to the HMC 410 with 1600 x 1250 mm pallets.

High Speed

The HMC 95 optimizes spindle utilization by reducing non-productive, non-cutting time. The rapid traverse of 1970 ipm (50 m/min), acceleration of .7 g and a 4-second chip-to-chip tool change means more time is spent in the cut. The HMC 95 is available with either a high-torque two-speed 10,000 rpm spindle or a high-speed 16,000 rpm spindle. The standard 360,000 position table has a rotary indexing speed of 40 rpm.

Accuracy in design and measurement system

The rigidity of the machine's design provides a solid foundation for the HMC 95 four sigma accuracy of .0003 in (.007 mm) positioning and .00015 in (.004 mm) repeatability. Linear scales with 40 millionths resolution is the standard high-precision measurement system.

Fast, high-capacity tool changer and magazine

The standard 50-tool magazine can be expanded to 144 tools with the addition of two 47-tool cassettes. The cassette design is easily removed, making it possible to set up complete tool sets off-line during the machining cycle and changeout the cassettes in a matter of minutes. HMC tool capacity is 26.5 lb (12 kg) and 6.9 in (175 mm) maximum diameter.

High-Performance Control and Drives

The HMC Series uses a Siemens 840D control and digital drives. Integration of the control and drives via a digital bus optimizes the machining center's contouring response. The 840D's NURBS and polynomial interpolator enable the programmer to produce parts requiring high contouring accuracy and speed. Safety Integrated technology, using linear glass scales to verify position through two independent processors, eliminates troublesome mechanical switches and sensors. Comprehensive help screens and on-line support improve operator efficiency and machine utilization.

Multiple pallet storage system

Several multiple pallet storage system (MPSS) configurations are available for the HMC 95 with 6 to 12 pallets. The MPSS load station rotates a full 360 degrees, facilitating part loading and unloading. A dedicated Siemens 840D control handles the pallet system operations and provides a handshake to the machine control.

Giddings & Lewis Support

The full capabilities of the Giddings & Lewis organization support the HMC product line from the applications experts in Fond du Lac to the service offices and technicians strategically located throughout North America.

IMTS 2002

The HMC 95 will be on display at IMTS in the Giddings & Lewis booth in the South Hall, booth A-8218, along with additional HMC Series horizontal machining centers and the latest G&L horizontal boring mill and vertical turning center.

Giddings & Lewis Machine Tools is located in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. A member of the ThyssenKrupp Technologies global machine tool enterprise, Giddings & Lewis builds an extensive range of horizontal machining centers and boring mills from small 500 mm pallet machines to large traveling-column models. The vertical turning line covers lathes from one-meter tables through 4.5 meter swings. Complete machine tool rebuilding and remanufacturing are among the after sales services offered.

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