VMCs enable part to be machined on 5 faces in one set up.

Press Release Summary:




With respective X/Y/Z travels of 11.8 x 15.6 x 16.9 in. and travels of 20 x 24 x 20 in., GX 250 5F and GXR 320 5F Bridgeport 5-Face (4+1) VMCs feature integrated 5-axis rotary table, heavy-duty linear guideways, and oversized double-nut ballscrews. Fanuc 0i-D control, also included, enables use of 4 simultaneous axes plus one axis for positioning only. While GX 250 5F offers rapid traverse of 1,181 ipm on X/Y/Z axes, GXR 320 5F offers 1,693 ipm on X/Y axes and 1,417 ipm on Z axis.



Original Press Release:



Hardinge Releases New 5-Face Bridgeport VMCs



Hardinge Inc., a leading international provider of advanced metal-cutting solutions, announces the release of two all-new Bridgeport 5-Face (4+1) Vertical Machining Centers – the GX 250 5F and GXR 320 5F.  These new 4+1 axis vertical machining centers are high quality machine tools designed to achieve maximum capacity and performance in the job shop, OEM, aerospace, medical, electronic, defense, automotive and power generation industries, as well as many other manufacturing sectors.



Manufactured to the highest industry standards, both machines are packed with features to meet and exceed the requirements of the demanding metal-cutting market at an industry-leading price. Two machine sizes are available and come standard with a sophisticated, yet user-friendly, Fanuc 0i-D control for 4+1 machining.  4+1 refers to the use of four simultaneous axes plus one axis that is used for positioning only.  4+1 or 5-facemachining is a step up from 3-axis machining where just 1 or 2 sides of thepart are machined per setup.  4+1 machining allows the part to be machined on 5 faces in one single set up. The part remains in one fixture instead of being moved from one fixture or vise to another, drastically reducing setup time while improving accuracy.



The GX 250 5F (4+1) with travels of 11.8” x 15.6” x 16.9” (X,Y,Z) provides fast rapid traverse of 1181 inches per minute on X, Y and Z axes and features a powerful 20hp, 15,000-rpm direct-drive spindle motor with 70.4 ft-lbs of torque and a 30-tool swing-arm automatic tool changer. The larger GXR 320 5F (4+1) with travels of 20” x 24” x 20” (X,Y,Z) provides very fast rapid traverse of 1693 inches per minute on X and Y axes and 1417 inches per minute on the Z axis. The machine features a powerful 25hp, 12,000-rpm direct-drive spindle with 86.3 ft-lbs of torque and a 48-tool swing-arm automatic tool changer.



Bridgeport 5-Face (4+1) Machining Centers feature an integrated 5-axis robust rotary table supported by large bearings to allow heavy horizontal and vertical cutting loads with smooth and accurate rotation at all times. Bridgeport incorporates heavy-duty linear guideways and oversized double-nut ballscrews that are pre-tensioned to provide superior accuracy and repeatability. The linear way modules consist of slide members (guide trucks) and linear rails to provide a large load rating, stable accuracy, high rigidity and low friction. The wide spacing between all axes rails provides optimum stiffness for the overall machine structure. Oversized 45mm (1.77”) ballscrews are featured in the GXR 320 5F, while 32mm (1.26”) ballscrews are incorporated in the GX 250 5F. All of these robust features are designed into a small cost-effective footprint.



Bridgeport 5-Face (4+1) Machining Centers are designed with an optimum work envelope to machine small to medium parts. Machines with larger work envelopes use a larger rotary table, increasing the size of the machine, increasing the overall cost. Bridgeportoffers a smaller footprint machine for 5-face machining that is ideal for the medical and dental market and that complements the automotive, aerospace and other industries as well.



Both machines come packed with standardfeatures including a BIG-PLUS spindle, oil chiller, chip conveyor, coolant flush system, preparation for through spindle coolant (with rotary union), coolant wash down gun, tri-color stack light and many standard control features.



“These new Bridgeport 5-Face (4+1) Machining Centers offer a high degree of sophistication and functionality in a small footprint at an attractive price,” states Andy McNamara, Director of Sales and Marketing, North America.  “Like all Bridgeport machining centers, these machines reflect Hardinge’s commitment to quality and performance without compromise.” Hardinge also offers a full 5-axis VMC for machining complex contoured parts such as impellers and turbines where five simultaneous axismovements are required. For more information call 800.843.8801 or visit www.hardinge.com.



About Hardinge Inc.

Hardinge is a global designer, manufacturer and distributor of machine tools, specializing in SUPER- PRECISION(TM) and precision CNC Lathes, high performance Machining Centers, high-end cylindrical and jig Grinding machines, and technologically advanced Workholding & Rotary Products. Hardinge is also the world’s largest manufacturer of collets (5C Collets, 16C Collets, 20C Collets, Swiss Collets and other styles) for all brands ofmachines including custom engineered solutions. Hardinge has a very diversecustomer base and serves a wide variety of end-user markets. This customer base includes metalworking manufacturers which make parts for a variety of industries, as well as a wide range of end users in the aerospace, agricultural, transportation, basic consumer goods, communications and electronics, construction, defense, energy, pharmaceutical and medical equipment, and recreation industries, among others. Hardinge has manufacturing operations in the United States, Switzerland, Taiwan, and China. For more information, please visit http://www.hardinge.com.



Hardinge Inc., One Hardinge Drive, PO Box 1507, Elmira, New York 14902-1507 USA. Phone: 800-843-8801; Fax: 607-734-8819; E-mail: info@hardinge.com

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