Makino (www.makino.com) has just introduced the G5 Grinder horizontal machining center, capable of grinding, drilling, boring and milling, all on the same machine.
"The biggest advantage of a machine like the G5 is the ability to eliminate non-value-added time in the manufacturing process," said Tim Jones, product manager of horizontal machining centers at Makino. "Because you can go from milling to grinding in one machine, you're not only saving on capital equipment but you're also able to keep the part in the machine, eliminating all the out-of-cut time that does nothing but add to your costs and lead time. Using a single machine to grind and mill helps to eliminate setups, work in process, and stack up errors due to multiple setups, while reducing fixture costs with 5-axis capability, and simplifying the manufacturing process with NC controlled intermittent dress."
The G5 is a full 5-axis machine, with a B-axis of .5/1.5 sec (90/180), a C-axis at 100 rpm, and a 60-tool automatic tool changer that will hold up to an 8.7 in. (220mm) diameter grinding wheel.
A two-axis coolant nozzle allows the G5 to accommodate variations in wheel diameter and changes in cutting direction while maintaining ideal cutting conditions. It also allows for intermittent rotary dressing, an NC-controlled, hydraulically-powered feature that redresses the cutting wheel to reestablish profile geometry.
The G5 features one-piece X-, Y and Z -covers; proven 1-Series tool changing systems; and 10 micron cyclonic secondary filtration.
Features that allow the machine to be thermally stable include an integral spindle with the cooling jacket linked to the bed temperature for part consistency; a coolant chiller to maintain high precision machining; core-cooled ball screws in all axes; and the use of high-volume, high-pressure coolant.
Makino says the stepped column machine construction provides optimum rigidity and speed, with close proximity of the ball screw to the column center of gravity, large LM guides, reduced column weight, and dual supported pre-tensioned ball screws. Also, the NC rotary table has a large diameter bearing surface, assuring rigidity.
