Horizontal Machining Center Provides Largest Work Envelope in Its Class
Along with its many competitive features, the KIWA-Japan KH-55 horizontal machining center from Methods Machine Tools is designed with exceptional machine tool rigidity for large component machining.
Posted: November 26, 2013
Methods Machine Tools Inc. (Sudbury, MA), a leading supplier of innovative precision machine tools and automation, offers the KIWA-Japan KH-55 horizontal machining center, a heavy duty machine tool with a full range of features designed to accommodate precision machining of a wide variety of large work components.
Having one of the largest work envelopes 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 100 0mm) in size, and 1,650 lb (750 kg) in weight.
Large component machining requires exceptional machine tool rigidity. This system meets that requirement 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, including a spindle speed of 10,000 rpm with a spindle acceleration time of 2.95 seconds and deceleration at 3.32 seconds. Tool-to-tool and chip-to-chip times are 1.8 seconds and 3.8 seconds, respectively. The machine features a full rotary B-axis and will also be available with a 15,000 rpm, 40 taper spindle as an option.
Here is a Danish demonstration of a Kiwa KH-55 horizontal machining center face milling a steel workpiece.
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 up to 240 tools. The machine can also be equipped with optional 630 mm pallets.
New KIWA features include Spindle Thermal Displacement compensation to ensure accuracy and stability, along with 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), a 47 hp direct drive spindle and an easy-to-use FANUC 31i-A CNC control.
The machining center also has unique design features such as a highly efficient Center-Trough Chip evacuation system and an easy-access maintenance system in one convenient location at the rear of the machine.
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