UK-based Lentus Composites has installed a Sahos Dynamic bridge-type machining center for machining pattern board, aluminum mold tools and components made from composite materials.
The FC5000 High 5X model has a fixed, 5 m, cast iron table that allows either one long component to be processed, or tandem machining whereby a smaller part is set up at one end while machining of another component is in progress at the other. A 2-axis, liquid-cooled head, which carries a 24,000 rpm/12 kW spindle motor, provides the two rotary CNC axes, ± 110 degrees in A and ± 400 degrees in C. Control is by a TNC530HSCI from Heidenhain, whose TS640 touch probe for workpiece datuming and TT140 measuring probe for tool wear and breakage detection to minimise spindle downtime are also in use. A 12-position disc magazine is installed for HSK-F63 tools. ‘There are a number of high-speed machining centres on the market, mainly of European origin, that are directly applicable to production in the composites industry,’ said Simon Odling, MD of Lentus. ‘We chose the Sahos Dynamic for a number of reasons. In particular, we felt that the construction of the machine when compared to its competitors was an improvement on the industry norm, providing a stiffer, more stable machining environment
This story is reprinted from material from Lentus Composites, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
