Agility for the future

The Mikron MILL P 500 U enables continuous machining of complex forms and tough materials while shortening process time. Its advanced thermal stability ensures reliable precision over long machining periods. Furthermore, it delivers exceptional competitiveness by integrating smart Automation and ensures the process reliability essential to precision parts manufacturing segments such as aerospace and machinery parts as well as automotive mold making.

At EMO Hannover 2017, the Mikron MILL P 500 U will make its debut as part of an interactive process flow demonstrating the production of automotive lighting. The solution will be enhanced by a System 3R TRANSFORMER Automation with a six-axis FANUC robot.

With the Mikron MILL P 500 U, manufacturers of precision parts and molds experience top accuracy and uncompromising process reliability, thanks to the machine’s thermostability and symmetrical design. Even when machining at a fast pace and over long production periods, accuracy and process reliability remain steadfast, so users experience consistent precision.

Thanks to the Mikron MILL P 500 U’s 1.7 g acceleration, 36 kW Step-Tec Spindle, rotary tilting table capacity of up to 600 kg and workpiece diameters up to 707 mm, manufacturers experience constant dynamic machining as well as 100 percent flexibility in their part production.

The rotary tilting table is available in several variations: T-slot tables accommodating a payload of 200 kg, 400 kg or 600 kg, as well as pallet tables accommodating a payload of 200 kg, 400 kg or 600 kg. Incremental, direct angle measuring systems are mounted on the swiveling and circular axes to guarantee very high positioning and repeat accuracy. Both axes are driven via water-cooled torque motors: one for T-slot tables, two for pallet tables on the A axis and one on the C axis. These direct drives bear optimal characteristics for precise, simultaneous operations. For heavy-duty machining, the rotary and swivel axes can be clamped and—for best machining stability—the swiveling axis has clamping on both side supports.

With the 20,000 rpm Step-Tec HPC190 Spindle with HSK-A63 tool interface, manufacturers extend their flexibility and benefit from the best universal Spindle selection for stiffness, power, speed, and safety with Machine and Spindle Protection (MSP). Also available is Step-Tec’s 36,000 rpm HVC150 motor Spindle with HSK-E50 tool interface; this Spindle solution is particularly advantageous for mold makers working with small cutting tools and dynamic 1.7 g acceleration to efficiently achieve best surface finishes.

At the same time, precision parts producers and mold makers can more than double productivity with the 12-square-meter Mikron MILL P 500 U’s accommodation of limitless integrable Automation solutions through the back. That means users can achieve reliable, efficient unmanned third-shift productivity due to an array of Automation choices as well as direct robot loading of pallets to the table and the availability of parts handling solutions. For example, manufacturers’ productivity and agility are increased with System 3R’s JobToolManagement (JTM) user-friendly software for one machine with an integrated pallet changer. With JTM, the user assigns numerical control (NC) programs to pallet positions by dragging and dropping on a touch screen.

Mikron MILL P 500 U users pare their downtime from hours to mere minutes, thanks to GF Machining Solutions’ Industry 4.0 supporting smart modules such as Machine Spindle Protection (MSP) and Customer Services’ rConnect modular digital services including Live Remote Assistance (LRA).

MSP protects the Spindle and machine geometry while maximizing machine uptime to reduce costs associated with unexpected Spindle collisions. Collisions usually occur when a new CNC program is first executed. MSP protects the machine and Spindle during job setup by making it possible to absorb axial and lateral collisions and then restore perfect accuracy: The Spindle returns to normal operations without any specific maintenance or recalibration, ensuring almost no downtime or collision-related costs.

Precision parts manufacturers and moldmakers today require solutions ensuring precision on parts, process reliability and high productivity. At the same time, they need the means to keep pace in a continuously changing environment. Therefore, agility is a key success factor. The Mikron MILL P 500 U was developed to meet these very needs. It serves manufacturers willing to invest in assets delivering an agile competitive advantage.

Users’ productivity, flexibility and autonomy are further accelerated by the Mikron MILL P 500 U’s rConnect readiness. Manufacturers simply choose the GF Machining Solutions digital services that best fit their needs. LRA, for example, delivers highly secure, direct, customer-authorized real-time remote assistance by connecting the customer with the local diagnostics center and GF Machining Solutions’ Technical Units. With LRA, Customer Services can inspect a machine tool remotely, with diagnostics carried out by the customer’s own technician or a GF Machining Solutions expert.