Vertical Machining Center offers 5-axis contouring.
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Press Release Summary:
Model 5AX 500 features 45 mm ballscrews, 30-tool ATC, and SKF 40-taper spindle with radial stiffness of 60 lbf/0.00004 in. and axial stiffness of 70 lbf/0.00004 in. Providing XYZ axes working envelope of 27.5 x 23.3 x 19 in., machine offers rapid traverse rates of 1,260 ipm and acceleration rates of 6 m/sec². It includes 20 in. rotary/tilting trunnion table, through-spindle coolant, and choice of GE Fanuc 18iMB5 or Heidenhain iTNC 530 controls.
Original Press Release:
Bridgeport Demonstrates High Performance Five-Axis VMC at IMTS 2004
(Chicago, IL - September 8 - 15, 2004) The 5AX 500, the new five axes vertical machining center from Bridgeport Machines Ltd., will be cutting metal at IMTS 2004 in booth A-8058. The 5AX 500 is designed to achieve maximum capacity and performance for aerospace, mold and die, telecommunications and other demanding, highly accurate applications.
Quality construction attributes are noteworthy on this model. Its rigid foundation is grey cast iron that is produced to the highest metallurgical standards. Machine geometries are typically held to half the tolerances of the ISO standards. Wide-spaced guideways with minimal overhangs and oversized 45mm ballscrews contribute to higher overall stiffness and excellent distribution of cutting forces. The guideways are comprised of both roller and dual-ball linear types. Critical surfaces and alignments are hand-scraped to ensure longevity and accuracies. Further, the 5AX features an exclusive German-built SKF spindle with high radial stiffness of 60 lbf./0.00004" and axial stiffness of 70 lbf/0.00004". This 40-taper spindle offers face and taper contacts.
This machine boasts fully integrated five-axis contouring functions, a built-in (rather than bolted on) tilting trunnion table system, through-spindle coolant, and a choice of control systems dedicated to five-axis machining operations. Its X, Y, Z axes working envelope is 27.5" x 23.3" x 19". Linear scales are standard on the three axes to maintain excellent accuracy in complex contouring operations.
The 20-inch rotary/tilting trunnion table provides 220-degrees of tilt in the A axis, and 360-degrees rotation in the C axis to accomplish the five-axis contouring operations. The machine moves with fast rapid traverse rates at 1,260 IPM, and very high acceleration rates at 6 m/sec2, making the 5AX among the fastest in its class. The standard spindle offering is a directly coupled 15,000RPM, 40 HP SKF with 258 ft. lbs. of torque. The spindle accepts face-and-taper tooling as standard, providing improved surface finishes, rigidity, and accuracy. A twin-arm, automatic tool changer accepts 30 tools. The lining of the chip guards is stainless steel to improve chip and coolant flow and reduce paint chipping.
Customers can choose GE Fanuc 18iMB5 or Heidenhain iTNC 530 computer controls. These two systems are the optimum control choices in the industry devoted to data-intensive, five-axis and high speed machining operations, both controls are standard with Bridgeport-enhanced feature packages. Both systems are Ethernet compatible and ready for networking.
For more information, visit IMTS 2004 booth A-8058, or contact Bridgeport Machines' U.S. offices in Shelton, Connecticut at 203-929-5570, or visit the company's web site at www.bpt.com. Bridgeport Machines, Ltd. is headquartered in Leicester, England.
