Makino Introduces Next-Generation HMC for Large-Part Machining
Makino has introduce the new a81nx horizontal machining center. Like Makino’s other nx-Series horizontal machining centers, the a51nx and a61nx, the a81nx extends the capabilities of its 1-series predecessor with expanded machining capacity, improved rigidity and stability, improved productivity and enhanced reliability.
“The a81nx builds on the success of the original a81 platform and sets a new standard for large-part machining performance,” said Dave Ward, horizontal product line Manager at Makino. “There have been enhancements made to the bed and column castings of the machine, expansions in the tool magazine and Y-axis travels, spindle design improvements for faster acceleration and deceleration times, and a host of additional features and advancements to improve ergonomics, maintenance and machine uptime.”
When it comes to large-part machining, a limited work zone can hinder even the most efficient cutting processes and technologies. This is the reason why the a81nx features a 100-mm extension of the Y-axis column, bringing full-axis travels along the X, Y and Z axes to 35.4 inches, 35.4 inches and 40.2 inches (900 mm, 900 mm and 1,020 mm), respectively. The increased Y-axis travel is especially beneficial for automotive parts such as engine blocks and cylinder heads, where the critical mating surfaces require feed-on/feed-off milling passes for optimal sealing.
Large parts also commonly contain a substantial volume of features that can range greatly in size, requiring quick accessibility to diverse tool types and sizes. The a81nx provides a robust automatic tool changer (ATC) that is designed to handle larger-diameter, longer and heavier tooling. This large tool capacity ensures that manufacturers are able to efficiently machine a variety of large part features.
