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One of MAG's newest product developments, the giant 6-axis U6 bridge-type portal mill, is completing its runoff in Hebron, KY, prior to shipping later this year. The massive machine, which weighs nearly 154 MT (170 tons), is outfitted with five interchangeable cutting heads, including two custom designs to allow five-sided machining on oversized diesel engine blocks and industrial components. Equipped to deliver up to 74.5 kW (100 hp) into the cut, the machine can complete all six sides of a 5,900 kg (13,000 lb), 16- or 20-cylinder diesel engine block in just three setups at a total time of about 30 hours. The turnkey solution from MAG includes the machine, special spindle heads, cutting tools, part programs and workholding fixture.
This particular machine has a working range of 13 m x 2.6 m x 1 m x 1.25 m (X-Y-W-Z), with speeds up to 20 m/min (787 ipm) and linear-axis repeatability of 0.01mm (0.0004 in). The W+Z axes combined deliver a programmable vertical range of 2.25 m (7.3 ft) for deep reach into or around parts. The machine is configured with a two-table system to transfer workpieces in and out of the cutting zone, enabling it to cut one part, while a second is being setup or unloaded off line. This allows parts to be machined in sets of two, using the five spindle heads and a full complement of operations including milling, facing, boring, drilling, tapping and specialty serration milling. The five spindle heads are changed automatically for maximum efficiency and minimal cycle time.
"This machine is the newest and most advanced design in its class, utilizing linear way technology and all-electric drives for speed, accuracy and energy efficiency," said MAG Executive Vice President Chip Storie. "It is whisper quiet, and proved its dynamic stiffness during sustained-power qualification tests. It will produce the customer's parts in less time, at a lower cost, when all the high-efficiency features are applied, giving the customer a competitive advantage."
The U6 universal machining center is engineered for lean manufacturing of large complex-geometry parts. Its 5-axis machining and contouring capabilities minimize downtime, part reorientations and set-ups. The machine's robust construction makes it ideal for heavy cuts in large cast iron, steel, Inconel or titanium parts encountered in aerospace, off-road, energy, marine and mining equipment. The U6's energy-efficient all-electric design eliminates hydraulic noise and maintenance issues, particularly compared to older-style, hydrostatic guideways. Replaceable low-friction linear guideways improve axis responsiveness and help reduce energy consumption.
Available in a bridge or traveling gantry design, the U6 can be configured with a crossrail (Y-axis) up to 9 m (29.5 ft), while the adjustable W-axis (vertical crossrail movement) provides up to 5 m (16.4 ft) additional travel to complement up to 2.5 m (8.2 ft) of Z-axis range. The maximum 7.5 m (24.6 ft) programmable vertical range of the machine (W+Z axes) gives it the capacity to machine, or maneuver over, tall or oddly shaped workpieces. The design allows the Y-axis rail to be positioned close to the part for machining with minimal Z-axis extension and maximum stiffness for tight accuracy. As options, the U6 is offered with a choice of 1 m, 1.5 m, 2 m or 2.5 m Z-axis ram travel for best fit to processing needs.
The U6B bridge-type machine can be equipped with an optional X-axis pallet shuttle system for cellular processing with single or multiple machines. It is available with a broad range of table and pallet shuttle systems. The U6R rail-type traveling gantry design offers unlimited X-axis travel, and is expandable to fit the application.
The U6 can be outfitted with a range of high-torque or high-speed spindles, up to 74.5 kW (100 hp) and up to 24,000 rpm, choice of tapers, and vertical, horizontal or 5-axis head configurations to cover the spectrum of machining requirements. Automatic head exchanges are programmable, fully automated and accomplished in about one minute. The C-axis option is built into the Z-axis ram and is offered 360-degree continuous rotation to keep the spindle in-cut without running out of C-axis travel or waiting for unwind. Custom head configurations are also available.
Related Glossary Terms
- boring
boring
Enlarging a hole that already has been drilled or cored. Generally, it is an operation of truing the previously drilled hole with a single-point, lathe-type tool. Boring is essentially internal turning, in that usually a single-point cutting tool forms the internal shape. Some tools are available with two cutting edges to balance cutting forces.
- dynamic stiffness
dynamic stiffness
Measure of a machining system’s ability to dampen vibration from a forced input. If the dynamic stiffness of a system is not sufficient to dampen vibration, chatter occurs. See static stiffness; stiffness.
- fixture
fixture
Device, often made in-house, that holds a specific workpiece. See jig; modular fixturing.
- gang cutting ( milling)
gang cutting ( milling)
Machining with several cutters mounted on a single arbor, generally for simultaneous cutting.
- lean manufacturing
lean manufacturing
Companywide culture of continuous improvement, waste reduction and minimal inventory as practiced by individuals in every aspect of the business.
- machining center
machining center
CNC machine tool capable of drilling, reaming, tapping, milling and boring. Normally comes with an automatic toolchanger. See automatic toolchanger.
- milling
milling
Machining operation in which metal or other material is removed by applying power to a rotating cutter. In vertical milling, the cutting tool is mounted vertically on the spindle. In horizontal milling, the cutting tool is mounted horizontally, either directly on the spindle or on an arbor. Horizontal milling is further broken down into conventional milling, where the cutter rotates opposite the direction of feed, or “up” into the workpiece; and climb milling, where the cutter rotates in the direction of feed, or “down” into the workpiece. Milling operations include plane or surface milling, endmilling, facemilling, angle milling, form milling and profiling.
- milling machine ( mill)
milling machine ( mill)
Runs endmills and arbor-mounted milling cutters. Features include a head with a spindle that drives the cutters; a column, knee and table that provide motion in the three Cartesian axes; and a base that supports the components and houses the cutting-fluid pump and reservoir. The work is mounted on the table and fed into the rotating cutter or endmill to accomplish the milling steps; vertical milling machines also feed endmills into the work by means of a spindle-mounted quill. Models range from small manual machines to big bed-type and duplex mills. All take one of three basic forms: vertical, horizontal or convertible horizontal/vertical. Vertical machines may be knee-type (the table is mounted on a knee that can be elevated) or bed-type (the table is securely supported and only moves horizontally). In general, horizontal machines are bigger and more powerful, while vertical machines are lighter but more versatile and easier to set up and operate.
- stiffness
stiffness
1. Ability of a material or part to resist elastic deflection. 2. The rate of stress with respect to strain; the greater the stress required to produce a given strain, the stiffer the material is said to be. See dynamic stiffness; static stiffness.
- tapping
tapping
Machining operation in which a tap, with teeth on its periphery, cuts internal threads in a predrilled hole having a smaller diameter than the tap diameter. Threads are formed by a combined rotary and axial-relative motion between tap and workpiece. See tap.
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