Richmond second generation vertical machining centres

Richmond second generation vertical machining centres

Richmond second generation vertical machining centres

Keywords: Aircraft components, Precision engineering

A totally new range of heavier duty vertical machining centres from Richmond Machine Tools with options of linear or solid box ways carried on genuine Meehanite castings and high specification build dictated by 600 Group market research, will now be available internationally at a very competitive pricing structure.

In the UK the Richmond VMC range is available through 600 Centre of Shepshed near Loughborough and Colchestersales (UK) of Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire. As the preference for heavy duty applications, users should look to the “S” designation for the solid box way design while for higher speed applications the “L” configured linear guideway variants provide the optimised choice.

The range spans a compact 500L with travels of 510 mm in X, 410 mm in Y and 460 mm in Z with 12, 16 or 20 tools, 5.5 or 7.5kW spindle motor and options of 8,000, 10,000 or 12,000revs/ min to the top of the range VMC 1600S. This machine weighs seven tonnes and has a BT50, spindle with options of 15 or 22kW, 4,000 or 6,000revs/min spindle drive and travels of 1,600 mm in X, 800 mm in Y and 700 mm in Z. There are also options of 24 or 32 tool magazines.

The basic construction was a paramount requisite in the Richmond specification with the design specifying heavy duty Meehanite cast iron base, column, saddle and table. Castings have an extra deep ribbing giving high levels of lateral stiffness and damping characteristics coupled to high orders of thermal stability. Saddle and table are driven by heavy duty 40mm pre- tensioned ballscrews and to offset the weight of the headstock and spindle assembly, mechanical counterbalance has been rigged inside the column.

For users requiring the benefits of higher axis speeds of 36m/min, the “L” derivatives of the Richmond 500, 610, 850 and 1020 machines are fitted with the highest quality Tsubaki heavy duty linear guideways. Meanwhile, the “S” models covering 610, 850, 1020, 1300 and 1600 have hardened and ground solid box ways which are Turcite coated to support heavy and precise machining applications. Rapid traverse rates are 24 m/min on all axes of the S versions of the 610, 850 and 1020 machines and 15 m/min in X and Y and 12 m/min in Z on the largest 1300 and 1600 machines.

There are a range of spindle options again tailorable to customer requirements. The VMC 500L has a 5.5 or 7.5 kW drive, with ISO 30/40 taper while the 610, 850 and 1020 has 11 or 15kW ISO 40 taper. The larger 1300, has 11 or 15 kW of power and ISO 40/50 taper and the 1600 choice of 15 or 22 kW with ISO 50 taper and maximum speeds of 4,000 or 6,000 revs/min.

A Geneva-type carousel tool magazine changer is fitted as standard with 16 or 20 position options and a 10 second exchange while a 24 tool magazine with twin-arm changer can be specified having a 2.5 second change time. Also available is 32 tool chain system for the larger machines.

Control options include the latest Anilam 6000 M or Fanuc O/MC. Both systems employ easy to use conversational programming and a host of features. The Heidenhain/TNC 530 system is also available on request.

Further options include fourth-axis interface, through spindle coolant and spindle oil cooling.

Details available from: 600 Centre, Tel: +44 (0)1509 600600, e-mail: cnctools@600centre.co.uk web site: www.600centre.co.uk