Updated HMCs Support Unattended Operation

Makino’s latest a51nx and a61nx HMCs feature the same rigid casting and axis designs of the original platforms, but with increased spindle torque and improved tool monitoring capability. The HMCs also feature advanced motion controls and the company’s Professional 6 control.

A vision-type broken tool sensor supports unattended operation by validating the condition of cutting tools after each tool change. By creating cutting tool silhouettes, the sensor also detects the length, size and approximate weight of each tool. This information can then be applied to automatically set the tool-change speed to the appropriate setting (fast, medium or slow). The sensor has few moving parts and requires no physical contact with cutting tools, improving long-term reliability and decreasing risk of chipping delicate tool materials.

Inertia active control technology has also been expanded on the HMCs. In addition to optimizing positioning motion of the rotational B-axis, the technology improves acceleration and deceleration rates along the Z-axis. It has been added to the rotation of the ring-type tool magazine as well. Each time tools are loaded into the magazine, the technology evaluates the weight held in the ring and adjusts acceleration to match the total load. This reduces the time the tool magazine seeks tools.