FANUC RoboDrill ecoPLUS High-Speed Machining Center

FANUC RoboDrill ecoPLUS High-Speed toolchanger. See automatic toolchanger." title="CNC machine tool capable of drilling, reaming, tapping, milling and boring. Normally comes with an automatic toolchanger. See automatic toolchanger." aria-label="Glossary: machining center">Machining Center

Methods Machine Tools Inc. has announced the introduction of the new FANUC RoboDrill ecoPLUS, offering a larger 21-tool capacity and increased speed via an optional 24,000-rpm spindle. Two ecoPLUS models are available, including one with a larger X-axis travel and table size.

June 17, 2019

Methods Machine Tools Inc. has announced the introduction of the new FANUC RoboDrill ecoPLUS, offering a larger 21-tool capacity and increased speed via an optional 24,000-rpm spindle. Two ecoPLUS models are available, including one with a larger X-axis travel and table size.

FANUC RoboDrill eco/ecoPLUS high-speed machining centers offer milling, drilling, tapping, deburring and chamfering. Originally named for offering an economical price and an ecological spindle that returns energy to the machine in the intervals between cutting, the line is designed and built in Japan for years of continuous duty. Speed and versatility make the machining centers suitable for off-loading bigger, slower machines, as well as for performing secondary options, regardless of production volumes. Easy-to-use, the RoboDrill eco/ ecoPLUS high-speed machining centers are an excellent all-round workhorse solution for any job shop.

"The entire RoboDrill line is distinguished for its unsurpassed, exceptional reliability. We are pleased to continue this tradition with introduction of the ecoPLUS," said Mr. Ken Corklin, RoboDrill product manager, Methods Machine Tools Inc. "Building on the success of the RoboDrill eco, which is known for heavyweight performance at an affordable price, our customers now have more options for machining larger parts faster and more efficiently with the ecoPLUS."

The ecoPLUS D21MiB has a working cube of 19.7″ x 15.7″ x 13″ (500 mm x 400 mm x 330 mm).The ecoPLUS D21LiB offers travels of 27.6″ x 15.7″ x 13″ (700 mm x 400 mm x 330 mm). Standard features on both systems include a 14.75-hp (peak) 10,000-rpm or 24,000-rpm direct-drive spindle with precision-enhancing thermal compensation, HRV control and a 21-station toolchanger. The ecoPLUS D21MiB has a table size of 25.6 ″ x 15.7″ (650 mm x 399 mm) and the ecoPLUS D21LiB offers a table size of 33.5″ x 16.1″ (951 mm x 409 mm). Both machining centers have rapid traverses to 1,890 ipm (41 m/min), accelerations/ decelerations to 1.5 G, 0.9-second tool changes (tool-to-tool), rigid tapping to 5,000 rpm; and high-speed reverse tapping (up to 20 times faster than infeed). Each are equipped with a FANUC 31i-B Nano CNC with simultaneous 3-axis control.

Options include high-speed indexers, a fourth axis, a signal lamp, and robotic automation packages from Methods.

Glossary terms in this article

  • machining center
    CNC machine tool capable of drilling, reaming, tapping, milling and boring. Normally comes with an automatic toolchanger. See automatic toolchanger.
  • toolchanger
    Carriage or drum attached to a machining center that holds tools until needed; when a tool is needed, the toolchanger inserts the tool into the machine spindle. See automatic toolc…
  • chamfering
    Machining a bevel on a workpiece or tool; improves a tool’s entrance into the cut.