Quicker cutting

Automotive Design & Production, May, 2004

Secondary machining of molds and dies is said to be unnecessary thanks to the advanced spindle design and upgraded FM control software that are offered on the Sigma Series vertical machining centers from Mitsubishi Machine Tools (Addison, IL; www.mhimmt.com). There are two models: the V50, offering a 30-hp, 14,000-rpm spindle and a work envelope of 31.5 X 20 X 17.7 in. and the V70, with a 40-hp, 12,000-rpm spindle and a 49.2 X 27.6 X 25.6-in. envelope. Further enhancing speed and accuracy of the machines is the fact that the structure is designed so there's no thermal distortion, which means daily warm-up periods are eliminated. There are also two horizontal Sigmas, for those who are looking for higher metal removal.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]