Machine tool operators want, and need, customized functionality more than ever before — in order to address various issues for cost, space, performance, quality control, customer service, or other specific operating conditions. And, more machine designs than ever now emphasize their availability to respond to the users’ operating conditions — not only with optional functions and automation technology, but with greater energy efficiency. For example, Heller’s affordable, new H 4500 four-axis machining center is a high-functioning horizontal machine with Heller-produced HSK-A 100 spindle (also available in sk/bt 50 taper) and a 500 x 630 mm pallet and 800 mm strokes in X, Y, and Z.
With the H 4500, Heller introduced a machine designed for rugged operations, and still provides an affordable and economical machining application for limited space.
The machines are also designed for energy efficiency, capable of energy savings of up to 30% compared to conventional machine designs.
“The more universal and varied the machining assignment, the more important becomes adaptive power consumption of peripheral equipment and main units in order to optimize power use at various operating points,” according to Heller’s Vincent Trampus, vice president of sales. Air, coolant, hydraulics, and other energy consumers are flexibly controlled according to demand rather than constant availability — a power strategy called “Heller Blue.”
Reliable as well as productive, the H 4500 delivers a high degree of precision due to the machining concept, the inherently rigid design of the machine bed, the double motor Z-axis, the dynamically stiff, short design of the spindle unit, and the water-cooled spindle housing.
“With our new 500-Nm, 52-kW, 12,500-rpm spindle option, the H4500 can provide the low-speed torque it takes for cutting tough materials like iron and steel as well as higher speeds for machining lighter alloys. There is no other machine in its market segment that offers this capability,” Trampus stated.
With its machine design, Heller has also minimized positioning times. Instead of extremely high rapid traverse and acceleration rates, Heller focussed on realistic dynamic rates.
The H 4500 offers a range of basic equipment, so each machine can be customized for each user’s application. This includes 50/100/150 pocket chain-type magazines for tool lengths of up to 600 mm, tool-break monitoring with reference measurement and cleaning of the tool cartridges and holders.
Workpiece management is equally flexible. The rotary pallet table has a maximum loading capacity of 1,400 kg.
Chip disposal is efficient. In particular, the H 4500 is designed for free chip fall below the spindle and between the rotary table and pallet changer, with steep chip chutes in the work area and at the loading station and with a 600 mm wide scraping or flat belt design chip conveyor over the complete Z-stroke.
For automation, the machines are available with either Siemens Sinumerik 840D or Fanuc 31i-B CNC.
Heller’s exclusive NC-controlled out-facing head option is available on the H 4500 for performing turning operations on the machine. A measuring probe for on-machine part checking, and instant tool-breakage monitoring also are available.
For operations that use automated work cells, the machines may be set up for loading with a robot or other automated loading systems.
