Robb Hudson, chief executive officer of Mitsui Seiki USA, Inc., took time during IMTS 2018 to reflect on the company's 90th anniversary and discuss the industry factors that led to the development of its new family of Vertex 5-axis hybrid vertical machining/grinding centers.

Speaking with Cutting Tool Engineering Publisher Dennis Spaeth for an on-camera interview, Hudson said Mitsui Seiki's Vertex Hybrid G 55-5X, 75-5X and 100-5X machines provide CMM-level precision in critical highspeed milling and grinding applications. The machines are said to be capable of 0.0003" or better precision in 3+2 or fully simultaneous 5-axis machining, and reportedly can perform highspeed milling and grinding with a 25,000 rpm main spindle and ATC changeable air spindles of 40,000 rpm to 90,000 rpm.

Key features include automatic in-process grinding wheel dressing and size measurement and wheel calibration. AE sensors and software guided application strategies monitor milling and grinding process finishes.