Milltronics USA Inc. introduces the latest generation of its VK series with the new VK4II CNC knee mill. With more than two dozen improvements over the previous version, the VK4II retains the unique Milltronics MillSlide Z-axis. Popular in toolrooms, prototype, R&D and job shops, VK Series machines offer a true 3-axis control and can be run as manual, teach or full CNC. The MillSlide enhances rigidity and allows a programmable Z-axis that can also be operated manually with a quill handle.

Travels are 33" (X) by 15" (Y) by 5.25" MillSlide (Z) with 16.5" (knee) and 5.9" quill (manual). The machine has a 54" x 12" table with 1,500 lbs. capacity. Powered by a 7.5-hp backgeared motor, the VK4II is a 40 taper with a two-speed 3,900-rpm spindle. It's a flexible machine as the head tilts +/- 90^o, offers +/- 11.5" of ram travel, which also swivels +/-90^o. Standard handwheels are directly coupled to the ballcrews and provide feedback to the operator. Options include flood coolant and drip pan, table guard, power knee and power draw bar.

Featuring the Milltronics Series 8200-B CNC, the VK4II can be programmed with easy conversational, G code or a CAM system. The 8200B is a PC-based control with advanced processing speeds and 1 GM memory, 2 GB disk storage, a 12" LCD monitor and membrane keys. It has easy navigation function keys, solid model graphics, 3D pocket, DXF import, pockets & islands, tool tables, help screens, mid-program restart, handwheel run, scaling, mirror image, rotate and a variety of canned cycles, such as drilling, boring, tapping and milling .

According to Louie Pavlakos, Milltronics USA general manager, "We're excited about the new VK4II as its a machine our customers have been asking for. In today's machine tool market, there are lots and lots of very sophisticated multi-axis machines available that are sometimes overkill depending on the job."

Milltronics has installed more than 1,500 VK Series machines worldwide over the years and the new VK4II features more than two dozen improvements over the previous generation. "Our customers say they still want and need flexible easy-to-use CNC knee mills," Pavlakos said. "It's about selecting the right machine for the job. The VK4II offers the latest technology in a knee mill for about the same price as the previous version."