In support of the growing spacecraft technologies industry segment, GF AgieCharmilles will be present at the upcoming
Spacecraft Technology Expo, taking place May 8 – 10 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. GF AgieCharmilles will share information at booth 5034 on how the company’s leading high-speed and high-precision milling solutions can benefit the machining processes of those manufacturers involved in this developing industry segment.
GF AgieCharmilles is no stranger to the spacecraft arena where satellites and associated instruments continue to get lighter and smaller. In fact, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center uses multi-axis high-speed machining centers from GF AgieCharmilles to machine a wide variety of work, from components measuring 0.030” across with features as small as a human hair, all the way up to workpieces that would fill a one-meter cube.
Spacecraft Technology Expo attendees will find much benefit in learning about the company’s Mikron machines, including the HSM 400U LP, HPM 800U HD and HPM 1350U. After all, when it comes to cutting speed, these machining centers surpass conventional designs to deliver ultimate precision and supreme surface quality.
The HSM 400U LP provides 5-axis simultaneous high-speed machining and delivers powerful performance and accuracy on all axes. The machine achieves speeds up to 250rpm on the rotational axis and up to 150rpm on the swivel axis, with a B-axis swivel range of 220°. The HSM 400U LP also uses a liquid cooled, linear direct drive motor technology to allow for short setting times and high dynamic rigidity of the attitude control. With powerful vector spindles available at 30,000rpm, 42,000rpm, or 54,000rpm, the HSM 400U LP also provides excellent surface finish and part detail, while significantly reducing machining time for semi-finishing and finishing operations. The machine’s high dynamics and 1.7g acceleration help facilitate the reduction of nonproductive time and help to maximize spindle utilization.
Designed for the production of tools, molds and high-quality parts, the HPM 800U HD offers 5-axis simultaneous machining along with High Dynamics (HD) technology to deliver 1G machine acceleration rates for fast precision part processing and significantly reducing non-cut time. It generates 63.7ft/lbs (84Nm) of torque at 4,450rpm for high metal removal rates, while also providing the fast spindle speeds necessary for producing superior part surface finishes. For maximum maneuverability around various part sizes and shapes, the HPM 800U HD provides 31.5” of travel in the X
and Y axes, as well as 21.6” of clearance between its table surface and spindle nose in the Z-axis. The machine’s table surface measures 31.5” x 23.6” and accommodates 5- axis workpieces weighing as much as 1,250 lb.
Featuring linear motor technology for the rotary axis, the HPM 1350U is a high performance 5-axis machining center that allows for large axis movements with unrestricted access, making it an ideal choice for heavy cutting and precise machining. Built with a versatile milling head and a 43.42” diameter rotary/tilt table, the HPM 1350U handles loads up to 3,306.9 lb. with a rotational speed up to 40 rpm. A direct drive high torque motor drives the milling head, assuring faster and more dynamic machining with a 50 hp spindle output at 15,000 rpm with 142.349ft/lb (193Nm) of torque.