Future Ready: Automation Bolsters One-step Manufacturing Efforts
Automation and robotics, sophisticated CAD/CAM and simulation tools, and real-time monitoring, as examples, maximize machine center uptime and productivity. The post Future Ready: Automation Bolsters One-step Manufacturing Efforts appeared first on Fabricating & Metalworking.
The implementation of the latest technologies by machine center suppliers supports your shop as you meet complex customer demands with consistent, quality products for industries such as aerospace, automative and medical device manufacturing.
These applications and platforms enable lights-out manufacturing where machines operate autonomously. Machining centers also increase throughput without additional labor, and in fact, reduce operational costs by cutting down on waste and other factors.
High Precision Universal Machining Center
GROB Systems, Inc. (Bluffton, OH), a global leader in the development of manufacturing systems and machine tools, offers the G150 5-Axis Universal Machining Center, the smallest horizontal machining center to-date for the company in its modular G-series Universal line. The G150 provides high precision, complex machining in a compact size with a smaller work envelope. Featuring direct and absolute position encoders in all axes and an innovative machine cooling process, the machining center provides exceptional contouring accuracy.
“We are pleased to offer manufacturers of complex components, found in industries such as medical, aerospace, mold and die, energy and automotive, with an efficient high precision GROB machining solution in an economic footprint, that is ideal for light metal removal as well as heavy-duty machining,” said Derek Schroeder, universal machines, sales & proposals manager for GROB Systems.
The GROB G150 is equipped with features that provide a range of benefits including optimal chip evacuation via its horizontal spindle position which permits the longest possible Z-travel path in its machine class. Three linear and two rotary axes enable five-sided machining and simultaneous interpolation. The machine’s unique axis arrangement makes overhead machining possible, offering operators optimum accessibility for a broad range of part sizes. Tool changes occur outside of the work area, which eliminates chip interference during tool changes. In addition, a tool brush cleans the tool shank prior to the tool being inserted into the spindle and a coolant flushing system pushes chips out of the work area and through the conveyor.
The basis of the drive concept is two symmetrically arranged ball screws. Torque motors in the A- and B-axes ensure dynamic and wear-free machining of parts. For maximum machine rigidity, the unique arrangement of the three linear axes minimizes the distance between the guides and the machining point. The unique axis arrangement permits a large swivel range of 230° in the A’-axis. Also, a tunnel concept allows the largest possible component — even when using extremely long tools — to be machined within the work area without collision.
The GROB G150 has working travels in the X, Y, Z axes of 450/670/665 mm and maximum speeds of 50/ 40/60 m/min, respectively. A 380 mm diameter table can handle loads up to 485 lbs. (220 kg) with a pallet changer, and up to 551 lbs. (250 kg) without a pallet changer. For even higher productivity, the G150 can be partially or fully automated via GROB’s line of automation solutions including pallet changers, pallet storage systems and robot cells.
Generational Shifts, and Machining with One-setup
HERMLE USA, Inc. (Franklin, WI) will officially conduct U.S. live demos of its GEN2 machines in September at its 5-Axis Summit, to be held in Franklin. The machines are a bold evolution of its renowned 5-axis machining centers. Debuting with the C 650, C 32, and C 42, GEN2 brings unmatched levels of integration, efficiency, and lights-out performance — built for the next generation of machinists and manufacturers.
GEN2 marks a full generational shift. Over the next few months, every HERMLE model will transition to this new platform — engineered for automation, sustainability, and extreme spindle uptime. While the technology has advanced, the foundation remains the same. The legendary mechanical design that delivers HERMLE’s unsurpassed precision and long-term accuracy is unchanged, ensuring the company’s dominance in 5-axis machining continues, now elevated by smarter, more integrated capabilities.
HERMLE has completely overhauled the electrical architecture of its GEN2 machines, updating both hardware and software to meet the demands of future-ready manufacturing. Key upgrades include a new ProfiNet communication bus, IO-Link-compatible sensors, and the latest generation of drive converters on HEIDENHAIN models. These changes boost performance, enhance diagnostics, and ensure long-term adaptability with advanced interface technology and service tools.
Customers can now consolidate multiple setups, capabilities and machines into a single, fully integrated platform — saving time, labor, and floor space while improving throughput and quality. GEN2 is designed to make machine shops smarter, leaner, and more profitable — no matter the industry. GEN2 models will also feature the ZM 30, HERMLE’s new ultra-compact tool magazine, which adds 30 additional tools while occupying nearly 50% less space. In a market where people are chasing higher uptime, reducing per-piece cost, or looking to consolidate multi-machine workflows into a single, automated platform — GEN2 represents the path forward.
Unrivaled Combination of Quality, Reliability and 5-axis Performance
JTEKT Machinery Americas Corp.’s (Arlington Heights, IL) 5-axis WELE UG630 VMC features an advanced overhead gantry design, plus integrated, high-precision trunnion rotary table, enabling more operations in a single setup.
For a variety of machining needs, including high-speed, heavy-duty, and 5-axis machining, JTEKT Machinery’s complete line of vertical machining centers delivers lasting performance. Due to a vibration-dampening Meehanite cast iron base and large precision spindle bearings, users benefit from increased rigidity while sustaining higher load capacities. The UG630 includes a HEIDENHAIN TNC 640 CNC plus touch screen display to optimize machining capabilities.
The UG630 VMC features X-axis travel of 640 mm/25.1”; Y-axis travel (spindle head) of 520 mm/20.4”; Z-Axis travel of 460 mm/18.1”. Rotating range of the C-axis is a full 360°. Swiveling range of the B-axis is -50 deg/+110 deg, maximizing tool access to surfaces of the workpiece. Machining speed and power is delivered through a built-in type 38-hp spindle with a speed of 15,000 rpm.
Machining Center is Compact, Yet on a Large Scale
Starrag USA Inc.’s (Hebron, KY) new Heckert H100 compact machining center, with a pallet size of 39” (1,000 mm), will replace the previous Heckert HEC 1000 4-axis center. Heckert H100, which has dimensions of 350”-x-181” (8,900 mm-x-4,600 mm) and enables travel paths of 69” (1,750 mm) along the X axis, 51” (1,300 mm) along the Y axis and 55” (1,400 mm) along the Z axis. As an option, the Y-travel can be extended up to 55” (1,400 mm) and the Z-travel can be extended up to 71” (1,800 mm). The displacement circle diameter is 79” (2,000 mm).
The Heckert H100 is suitable for large parts and, with a loading weight of 8,818 lbs. (4,000 kg), heavy parts that would otherwise have to be machined on a large machining center. The Heckert H100 compact machine is easier to automate, and this is ensured by extended clamping hydraulics and simplified interfaces to pallet storage systems and robot cells. Improved integration into the customer’s infrastructure was also realized — with central connections for technological cold water, cooling lubricant and data exchange. There is also a larger selection of spindles and much more. It offers tailor-made solutions for highly productive machining, particularly in the area of commercial vehicles and in high-precision mechanical engineering.
Machine Cost-effectively Handles Large, Heavy Parts
Mazak Corp.’s (Florence, KY) VC-Ez 32 Vertical Machining Center features the MAZATROL SmoothEz CNC and is optimized for simple operation, fast and easy installation, enhanced ergonomics, stable and reliable part processing and long-term dependability. The VC-Ez family of products are available in two spindle configurations, CAT#40 and CAT#50.
For part size flexibility, axis travels on the VC-Ez 32 measure 64.17″ in X, 32.08″ in Y, and 27.56″ in Z (630- mm-x-815 mm-x-700 mm), with a rapid traverse rate of 1,259 ipm (32m/m) on all three axes. The machine accommodates workpieces up to 64.17″ (1,630 mm) long, 28.35″ (720 mm) wide and 27.56″ tall, and up to 4,078.5 lbs. (1,850 kg) in weight. The machine features a compact footprint that measures only 190.47 sq ft (17.69 m3).
Standard equipment includes a powerful 50-taper 6,000 rpm 29.5hp (22.0 kW) spindle with 664.5 ft-lb. (901 N•m) of torque and 24-tool magazine automatic tool changer. Options include a 40-tool capacity tool changer.
The VC-Ez 32 features a C-frame design with X- and Y-axis motion via a moving table and saddle. For rigidity and repeatable part precision, Mazak uses high-rigidity MX linear roller guide systems and pre-tensioned ball screws mounted to integrally cast housings to ensure precise axis movement. An Auger-type chip removal system is provided as a standard chip removal system, while affordable hinge-type chip conveyors that ship affixed to the machines eliminate the need and cost of a second shipping pallet are available as an option.
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