INCREASE MACHINING PRODUCTIVITY ON TITANIUM PARTS BY 4X

These 5-axis horizontal machining centers use advanced technologies to double the tool life of conventional titanium machining operations on aerospace parts such as edge frames, pylons and bulkheads.

T-Series five-axis horizontal machining centers with ADVANTiGE technologies are designed by Makino (Mason, OH) specifically for titanium aerospace parts such as edge frames, pylons and bulkheads. These technologies can provide manufacturers with four times the productivity and double the tool life of conventional titanium machining operations.

“A T-Series using ADVANTiGE is a powerhouse for titanium machining, capable of reducing part production times by 75 percent while increasing tool life by 100 percent,” says Mark Larson, Makino titanium process R&D manager. “We’ve created a line of machines that will change the way people think about titanium machining like our MAG-Series did with aluminum aerospace structural parts.”

The first machines of T-Series include the T4 (X-, Y- and Z-axis travels of 4,200 mm, 2,000 mm and 1,000 mm respectively) and T2 ( X-, Y- and Z-axis travels of 2,000 mm, 2,000 mm and 1,800 mm respectively) five-axis horizontal machining centers.

COMPACT FIVE-AXIS SPINDLE
The T-Series HSK-A125 spindle is Makino’s most powerful spindle to date, providing higher torque, horse power, and clamping force than all predecessors. Its compact design combines the latest induction motor with twin inverter drive technology for higher torque (740 ft-lb, 133 hp continuous; 1,100 ft-lb, 200 hp peak).

The spindle is supported by roller bearings to ensure high rigidity, which keeps the energy loss to one-half that of conventional gear-driven spindles. The spindle delivers a maximum speed of 4,000 rpm. The A- and C-axes increase part accessibility with a ±110 deg A-axis rotation and a 360 deg continuous C-axis rotation.

ADVANTiGE TECHNOLOGIES
ADVANTiGE technologies overcome the traditional challenges of low metal removal rates and limited tool life associated with titanium machining. By improving spindle performance, coolant delivery, vibration damping, machine rigidity and cutting strategies, ADVANTiGE is capable of four times the productivity and double the tool life of conventional machining technologies.

ADVANTiGE technologies include Autonomic Spindle Technology that utilizes spindle sensors to measure displacement caused by excessive cutting forces; high-pressure, high-flow coolant for improved cooling, lubrication and chip evacuation; a vibration damping system to proactively reduce chatter and vibration; a Coolant Microsizer System that improves tool cooling and lubricity for extended tool life, and a rigid machine construction that suppresses vibration for reduced tool chipping and improved metal removal rates.

INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY
The T-Series machines include an automatic pallet changer system that provides continuous operation and eliminates costly downtime for part changeovers. These machining centers can also be integrated with an automatic pallet transfer and storage system in a highly flexible Makino Machining Complex (MMC) for extended periods of unattended operation. This automation system assigns work and initiates operations automatically, maximizing spindle utilization for increased productivity.

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