High Speed Horizontal Machining in a Compact Footprint

The new Tongtai SH-5000P Horizontal Machining Center from Absolute Machine Tools Inc. (Lorain, OH) was developed for mass production line formation. This compact machine has a 35 percent smaller footprint than the previous model, allowing for maximum shop floor space utilization. At only 90 in wide, floor space is minimized. The Tongtai SH-5000P horizontal machining center is the latest generation, low cost state-of-the-art high speed machining center. This machine will exceed the demands of any manufacturer with high volume machining needs. The compact size consumes very little valuable floor space while the blazing speed will deliver more parts per hour than competitive machines costing thousands more.

The machine is a XY traveling column type design where the pallet moves in Z. The APC unit, located in front of the machine, provides easy access and slashes idle time. The APC is a rotary-type pallet changer and it exchanges the pallets in only seven seconds. For pallet rotation in the machining envelope, a full contouring B-axis precisely indexes the pallet every .001 deg and a hydraulic clamping mechanism is used to clamp the pallet in place for excellent repeatability. The B-axis is high speed, with 90 deg index time of 0.76 seconds. The SH-5000P features an ultra rigid Meehanite cast iron frame with an advanced three-point leveling system. The Eco-friendly LHL / LubeUSA grease lubrication system is standard for ways and ballscrews – no coolant contamination and no waste oil. The 40 mm (1.57 in) diameter ballscrews are class 3 with a double-nut pre-loaded and pre-tensioned design, allowing a blazing rapid traverse rate of 2,362 ipm. Furthermore, high speed acceleration drastically reduces non-cut time (X,Y,Z acc/dec of up to 1.0 G). The ABS (Absolute Pulse Coder) servo system does not require zero return.

The machine can be started anytime from any position, saving non-productive time. A standard rear discharge chip removal system includes a center trough design with high volume chip wash for efficient chip removal. A combination dual level caterpillar type conveyor with fines separator is standard and is suitable for virtually any types of chips/material. At the heart of the machine is a high power integral spindle with 15,000 rpm and spindle acceleration from zero to 7,000 rpm in just 0.48 seconds and zero to 15,000 rpm in only 1.9 seconds. Deceleration from 12,000 rpm to stop is only .8 seconds. This powerful spindle, which switches windings on the fly, produces 50 hp peak (10 min. rating), 35 hp in high and 25 hp in low while producing 184 ft-lb of peak torque at only 980 rpm.