Fun with five axes - In Gear - Variaxis 500 Vertical Machining Center

Automotive Design & Production, Dec, 2002

Who: Mazak Corporation (Florence, KY)

What: Variaxis 500 Vertical Machining Center

Why you should care: The Variaxis 500 has the full 5-axis capability to produce complex 3D or multiple-faced parts in a single setup--saving the time and cost associated with multiple setups while increasing quality.

Pertinent Data: The Variaxis 500 can machine the top, four sides, inclined faces and slanted holes of a workpiece as well as perform full 5-axis contouring. It has a 19.7" x 15.7" rotary table with an A-axis tilting angle of 1500. A 30-HP motor drives the spindle at a maximum of 12,000 RPM. And tool-to-tool change time is 0.9 seconds. The high-speed traverse and cutting rates are 1969 IPM, and the X- and V-axis travel is 20" with the Z-axis at 18". The control system is a Fanuc 161 and the Mazatrol 640 Fusion control with conversational programming is available.

More Info: Enter 2.