Lancer V5-2000 five-axis slices through aluminium

Citation

(1999), "Lancer V5-2000 five-axis slices through aluminium", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 71 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.1999.12771fab.005

Lancer V5-2000 five-axis slices through aluminium

Keywords Cincinnati Machine, Machine tools, Aluminium

Cincinnati Machine, a manufacturer of machine tools, has launched the new Lancer V5-2000 five-axis Vertical CNC Machining Centre (VMC) which reportedly combines speed, precision and agility to slice processing time and set-ups on contoured aluminium parts (Plate 3).

Plate 3 New Lancer V5-2000 makes high performance, five-axis machining affordable to a wide range of shops

Designed by Cincinnati Machine to provide high-performance, five-axis processing efficiencies to a wide range of machine shops, the Lancer V5-2000 is said to combine a "best-in-class" 80° sweep, twin-tilt spindle with a proven two metre VMC platform. According to Cincinnati the innovative ballscrew-driven two-axis head provides the machine with extremely fast rotational speeds and smooth axis changes to speed through complex part geometries with high precision.

The standard CAT 40 taper high performance spindle delivers 10,000 rpm at a continuous 20kW level, enabling aggressive metal removal; while the optional 15,000 rpm HSK63A spindle is available for high volume production.

The Lancer V5-2000 reportedly moves through its 2,032 x 762 x 770mm X-Y-Z machining range with agility at 24m/min rapid traverse and 15m/min federates. The large 2,286 x 765mm table, supported over wide-spaced linear ways, provides the work surface and rigidity to process large parts, long and narrow parts, or multiple small parts.

Designed to reduce manufacturing costs and lead times, the Lancer V5-2000 theoretically raises productivity and competitiveness by making the machining of three-axis parts simpler and complex parts routine.

It is thought that companies using five-axis machining can slice part-processing time as much as 70 per cent by reducing set-ups, part handling and programming time on multi-face and contour machining jobs. Parts reportedly can be rough and finish milled with linear, angular, curved, circular and helical features, all performed from one machine. Vector boring, drilling, tapping and in-process probing can be programmed and automatically performed without costly special fixturing and lengthy set-up for even greater productivity.

The Lancer V5-2000 combines the powerful and versatile PC-based Acramatic 2100 CNC with five-axis profiling routines refined on the aerospace industry's largest installed base of five-axis machining systems. The user-friendly A2100 package speeds and eases the transition to five-axis part processing.

The advanced A2100 features a colour LCD monitor, touch-screen controls and Windows NT operating system. Simple function help keys and Windows graphics allow fast, easy hands-on learning by the operator, dual 32-bit microprocessors enable powerful multitasking capability and the high-speed processing required by five-axis applications, while the PC-based architecture allows the CNC to be adapted to suit customer needs. Open design permits application of third-party software and upgrading of CNC capabilities as technology evolves. An optional Ethernet communications package enables direct networking with CAD/CAM and manufacturing planning systems, eliminating'the need for stand-alone shop floor PCs.

A standard mobile hand-held control allows the operator to actually take the control panel to the job, ending time consuming back-and-forth motion between the work piece and CNC in setting up and programming a job. The control is said to provide everything necessary to set up and start a job - worksheets, cycle start, single block and axis position.

Details available from: Cincinnati Machine UK Ltd. Tel: +44 (0) 121 313 5334; Fax: +44 (0) 121 313 5379; E-mail: david-wiggins@clnmach.co.uk