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Product Focus 38 MoldMaking Technology —— JANUARY 2016 Machining 5-Axis VMC Ensures Rigidity During Cutting Available from Absolute Machine Tools, the Tongtai CT-350 five-axis vertical machining center is a "C" frame-type machine that the company says was designed around high-level mold-type machining centers to ensure rigidity during cutting. The compact VMC's column has a wide span, making it torsion- resistant while cutting a five-axis part, and rigidity is enhanced by using 45-mm roller-type guideways and pre-tensioned, large-diameter ballscrews. The machine features a 13.78"-diameter table that can handle a maximum load of 440 lbs. The integrated rotary table uses the roller gear cam in both the tilt and rotation axes, and the roller gear cam design provides zero back- lash, high rigidity and fast rotation speeds. Stroke is 15.75" in X, 20.08" in Y and 20.08" in Z. A-axis stroke is +30 degrees through -120 degrees, and C-axis stroke is 360 degrees, with rotation speeds of 40 rpm and 33 rpm, respectively. The VMC offers rapid feed rates of 1,418"/min. in X and Y, and 1,182"/min. in Z. A 20-hp, direct-drive, 15,000-rpm Big Plus 40-taper spindle with air/oil mist lubrica- tion is standard, and an optional 20,000-rpm integral spindle is also available. Absolute Machine Tools / 440-960-6911 / absolutemachine.com Center Grinds Periphery of Indexable Inserts Development of Agathon Machine Tools' Leo Peri four-axis grinding center focused on achieving a smaller machine size, incorporating greater user-friend- ly accessibility, maintenance-free concepts and overall machine strength. The machine is designed for grinding the periphery of indexable inserts in carbide, cermet, ceramics and CBN (cubic boron nitride) applications. Features include a fully integrated, three-axis linear handling system; state-of-the-art control technology; optimized direct drives for X, Y and C axes; in-process dressing; a 250-mm grinding wheel diameter; and support for four to six standard pallets for increased flexibility and efficiency. According to the company, the machine's small, 4-m 2 footprint, combined with short grinding times, high removal rates and low power consumption, result in low cost per workpiece while meeting stringent quality and precision performance standards over a broad range of materials. In addition, the machine layout incorporates easy access from three sides, allowing for back-to-wall or back-to-back installation, as well as for uncom- plicated servicing. A centralized layout of all machine connection points also eases operation. Agathon Machine Tools Inc. / 203-730-8741 / agathon.com VMC Features User-Friendly Improvements Hardinge's fully digital Bridgeport Conquest V480 APC E Series vertical machining center features a user-friendly Mitsubishi M70 control with a 10.4" LCD. Improvements over the previous GX 480 APC include an improved sheet metal design that provides improved coolant containment and easier chip removal; a relocated operator panel for easier setup; and an improved automatic toolchanger (ATC) with faster toolchange times and an auto-ATC recovery function. The VMC offers a rapid traverse rate of 1,417 ipm in the X, Y and Z axes; and acceleration rates of 6 m/ sec. in X, 4.6 m/sec. in Y and 3.75 m/sec. in Z. XYZ travels are 18.9" x 15.8" x 16.9" (480 x 400 x 430 mm). Options include 12,000- and 15,000-rpm spindles, through-spindle coolant at 280 psi, air blast, fourth-/ fifth-axis prewiring, spindle chiller, chip conveyor and more. The automatic pallet changer also has been redesigned to handle heavier loads. The previous model could accommodate 254 lbs (120 kg), while the V 480 APC features a 440-lb (20-kg) capacity. The new APC also provides 4,850 lbs (2,200 kg) of clamping force compared to the previous 3,300 lbs (1500 kg). Hardinge Inc. / 607-734-2281 / hardinge.com