SmartDriveComau 800L Horizontal Machining Center

Comau presents SmartDriveComau 800L, the machining center designed to answer the needs of the automotive sector, which requires increasingly fast, precise and flexible mechanical processes. SmartDriveComau 800L is a horizontal machining center that covers primary manufacturing needs, both as a single machining center or integrated within a highly flexible production line. This machine, the latest from Comau Powertrain Machining & Assembly, is the new generation of a model that is already largely used in the market, and features enhanced performances.

SmartDriveComau 800L is equipped with linear motors, which allow several advantages. Most importantly, they guarantee more competitive cycle times, thanks to their high processing speed, and they accurately maintain this for up to five times longer than alternative solutions based on ballscrews, according to the company. This operative method decreases the number of machining centers required, which results in a reduced cost per piece. It also reduces the space occupied by the machines, thereby optimizing the plant layout.

SmartDriveComau 800L can perform processes with extreme flexibility, thanks to its circular interpolation. This allows the machining of bores with a standard high-speed cutter, using the same tool for manufacturing bores of different dimensions, which helps save time and costs. In addition, its renovated ergonomic design, compared to previous models, ensures easier and faster management and maintenance.

Furthermore, thanks to the “get help” icon, the operator can interact with the machine, interpreting and anticipating its requests much more easily. This results in reduced time required for diagnostics and, consequently, in an optimization of the production.

To meet the increasing market needs in terms of processes with low environmental impact, and to operate in compliance with the machining modalities of lean manufacturing, SmartDriveComau 800L is also available in a MQL (Minimum Quantity Lubrication) version, in which through-tool oil mist replaces the coolant traditionally required by the cutting process. The new design of the working chamber allows a more efficient disposal of shavings, while the vacuum and air filtration system guarantees more internal cleanness. The MQL version also includes an integrated system to monitor the temperature of the pieces and the machine, which guarantees greater process quality and the complete conformity of the pieces. SmartDriveComau 800L is also designed to deliver a significant cost reduction in terms of energy consumption, thanks to an energy saving package that grants savings of 15 percent compared to the previous version.