RIGID HMC HAS LARGEST WORK ENVELOPE IN ITS CLASS
The KIWA-Japan KH-55 horizontal machining center from Methods Machine Tools uses exclusive expandable tool and pallet technology to handle work piece sizes up to 35.4 in x 39.4 in and weights up to 1,650 lb (750 kg).
Posted: October 22, 2010
This horizontal machining center uses exclusive expandable tool and pallet technology to handle work piece sizes up to 35.4 in x 39.4 in and weights up to 1,650 lb (750 kg).
The KIWA-Japan KH-55 horizontal machining center from Methods Machine Tools Inc. (Sudbury, MA) has a full range of features designed to accommodate precision machining of a wide variety of large work components. Having the largest work envelope in its class, the 50 taper KH-55 can machine work pieces of up to 35.4 in x 39.4 in high (900 mm x 1000 mm) in size, and weighing up to 1,650 lb (750 kg).
Large component machining requires exceptional machine tool rigidity, which the KH-55 provides with a box-type structure where the bed, column and spindle head are symmetrically designed to uniformly absorb force. The column also has an elevated X-axis roller guide design which increases rigidity while reducing column weight.
The KIWA KH-55 has high-speed features for maximum production efficiency. Spindle speed is 10,000 rpm, with a spindle acceleration time of 2.95 sec and deceleration at 3.32 sec. Tool-to-tool and chip-to-chip times are 1.8 sec and 3.8 sec, respectively. The KH-55 features a full rotary B-axis and will also be available with a 15,000 rpm, 40-taper spindle as an option. The KH-55 also features the versatile, KIWA exclusive in-the-field expandable tool and pallet technology. Expandability allows shops to upgrade the KH-55 from a two-pallet machine with 60 tools to a six-pallet machine with 182 tools. The machine can also be equipped with optional 630 mm pallets.
KIWA features include spindle thermal displacement compensation to ensure accuracy and stability, and a ballscrew cooling system that regulates oil temperature, minimizing thermal expansion. in addition, a comprehensive tool management program provides information, such as tool number, life, status, feed rate, etc. Other specifications include an X-Y-Z stroke of 31.5 in x 31.5 in x 31.5 in (800 mm x 800 mm x 800 mm), a 20-in x 20-in (500-mm x 500-mm) pallet size, rapid traverse of 60 m/min (2,362 ipm), 47-hp direct drive spindle and an easy-to-use FANUC 31i-A CNC control.
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