Multi-Spindle Aerospace Profilers Emerge for Titanium Component Production

Surging demand by the aircraft industry for titanium parts is spurring development of high torque, multi-spindle machine tools, according to Cincinnati Machine. Recently, the company has received numerous orders for its new Ti Series 5-axis, 5-spindle profilers specially configured for heavy-duty machining of titanium.

A unit of MAG Industrial Automation Systems, Cincinnati Machine fast-tracked the machine design. "We saw that the aerospace industry would need to accelerate production of titanium parts to keep programs on schedule," notes Randy Von Moll, product manager for aerospace profilers and vertical-spindle machine tools. "Titanium machining takes so long that the industry just can't afford to make parts one at a time. Multi-spindle machines are the capacity kings. The high-torque Ti profilers let one operator cut five parts at a time, while achieving state-of-the-art metal removal rates for titanium."

Each Ti machine spindle features an HSK 125A tool interface and generates 1,860 ft-lbs. of torque (over 1/3hp per rpm). To apply that power with stable machining dynamics, the Ti models were engineered with a new spindle support housing and a stiff, heavyweight machine structure providing superior damping, according to Von Moll.

Besides the Ti machines, Cincinnati Machine has received multiple orders for both its five-spindle and three-spindle model Wide- Range profilers. These feature dual-range geared transmissions that can perform high-speed machining of aluminum and light alloys or downshift to low range for slower, higher-torque machining of titanium and other hard metals.

Aircraft design is leaning away from aluminum structures, assembled from hundreds of thousand of parts, to a composite aircraft design built from large monolithic components of lightweight materials, according to Von Moll.

CINCINNATI MACHINE
HEBRON, KY
CINMACH.MAG-IAS.COM