Bridge-type machining centres
Three new twin-column, bridge-type machining centres, designated DCX 22-40, DCX 22-50 and DCX 32, have been introduced by Hurco Europe.
Their machining centres have advantages over gantry-type and C-frame machines in that it has superior thermal stability for higher accuracy machining, and allows heavier table loads (up to 11 tonnes) and larger Y-axis travels with no loss of rigidity. Large components can therefore be produced to tight tolerances, such as dies, moulds and parts for the aerospace and energy sectors.
The fixed-rail design of the DCX 22-40 offers X/Y/Z travels of 2,200 / 1,700 / 750 mm with 24 m/min rapids, a 2,100 by 1,600mm pallet and a 40-taper spindle with 18kW (optionally 26kW) of peak power. There are 8,000, 10,000 and 15,000revs/min spindle options and a 50-taper version (DCX 22-50) that offers up to 555Nm of torque from its 6,000revs/min spindle.
DCX 32 has travels of 3,200 by 2,100 by 920mm and an installed weight of 39 tonnes. It has a 6,000 or 10,000revs/min, 60kW spindle mounted in a vertical ram of box-construction for maximum cutting capability and rigidity. All three DCX models have 40-station, swing-arm toolchangers that keep the carousel clear of swarf and maximise the working envelope.
Every DCX machine is fitted with Hurco’s simple-to-use WinMax twin-screen control system, allowing even the most complex 2D jobs to be programmed at the machine quickly and easily. A less well-known feature of the control is its capacity to handle NC files with full ISNC compatibility. The basic control has a 40GB hard-drive with 2GB RAM and high-speed contouring capability as standard.
The DCX models are just three of 14 new machines introduced at the IMTS machine tool show in Chicago last year (2008), which also saw the introduction of several new lathes and 5-axis machining centres. Dave Waghorn, managing director of Hurco Europe, says that two DCX machines have already been sold in the UK and will have been installed by the end of June 2009.
