High Performance Horizontal Machining Center with Dual Pallet Changer
The servo-driven pallet changer on the EC-400 from Haas swaps each 400 mm pallet with a load capacity of 1000 lb in just 8 seconds.
Posted: November 26, 2013
The EC-400 HMC high-performance horizontal machining center from Haas Automation, Inc. (Oxnard, CA) has a 20 in x 20 in x 20 in work cube, a dual pallet changer with 400 mm pallets and a 1 deg pallet indexer. The machine comes standard with an 8000 rpm, 40 taper spindle, powered by a 20 hp vector drive system.
Also standard are a 24+1 tool side-mount tool changer, 1000 ipm rapids, and a high-volume coolant system. To eliminate downtime associated with manual chip removal, the EC-400 features a triple-auger chip conveyor system that removes chips from the enclosure quickly and efficiently.
For added performance, a 12,000 rpm spindle, powered by a 30 hp vector drive system, is available for the machining center. This spindle provides more power for heavy cuts, as well as 50 percent more speed for high-speed machining operations.
Both spindles feature an inline direct-drive system that couples the motor directly to the spindle to reduce heat, increase power transmission, and provide excellent surface finishes. On-the-fly wye-delta switching provides plenty of low-end torque and a wide constant-power band.
Here is an animated demonstration of EC-400 Pallet Pool. Both spindles on the EC-400 HMC feature an inline, direct-drive system that couples the motor directly to the spindle for less vibration, less heat and less noise than belt- or gear-driven systems. This means superior surface finishes, excellent thermal stability and quieter operation.
The EC-400 comes standard with a high-precision face-gear pallet indexer (1-degree indexing) for extremely accurate positioning, and is available with a full 4th axis for shops requiring simultaneous 4-axis motion.
The machine’s servo-driven pallet changer swaps pallets in just 8 seconds, and each 400 mm pallet has a load capacity of 1000 lb (660 lb with full 4th axis). A separate load station allows the operator to safely load/unload parts or change fixtures on one pallet while parts are being machined on the other to maximize spindle run time.
The system comes standard with a 24+1 tool side-mount tool changer that swaps tools in 2.8 seconds. To further reduce cycle times and increase tool capacity, both 40- and 70-pocket servo-driven SMTCs are available that reduce tool-to-tool times to 1.6 seconds.
Built in the U.S. by Haas, the EC-400 HMC is backed by the worldwide network of Haas Factory Outlets – the most extensive system of support and service in the industry.