The new Mikron HSM 400 is raising the standards for high speedmilling machines. Providing automation, workpiece accuracy,ergonomics, and process reliability, this new portal machineoffers major technological benefits as well as outstanding valuefor money. Heralding a new generation of machines from Mikron,the HSM 400 is the product of the company's many years ofexperience and knowledge in the field of high-speed machiningtechnology.

Probably the most outstanding development among awealth of technological advances, is the incorporation of anintegrated workpiece changer, enabling the unmanned operation ofthe machine and therefore offering purchasers vitalcompetitive-edge benefits in productivity and cost/part.

The HSM400 has been designed and built to the highest specification.Every machine is prepared for both wet and dry machining, lasermeasurement of diameter and length is incorporated as standardand the motor spindle delivers 42,000 rev/min with high loadcapacity, long-life ceramic hybrid ball bearings and temperaturesensor for thermal compensation and vector regulation system.Excellent machining precision and surface quality result from theoutstanding component stability provided by this uncompromisinglyrobust machine.

The portal construction type is an enclosedO-form, the Y-Z column saddle has a rigid, high-ridged castconstruction and the concrete polymer construction provides asix-fold improvement in damping qualities and a twenty-foldimprovement in thermal stability compared to conventional, graycast iron.

The HSM 400 also provides the highly dynamic axes thatare vital, particularly for efficient mould manufacture.

Themotor spindles provide extremely rapid acceleration anddeceleration and control units incorporate digital drivetechnology to all driven axes, which are of a lightweightconstruction.

Furthermore, the HSM 400 has been designed toprovide the optimum 1:10 ratio of driven to static masses.Claimed to be the most accessible portal machine in the world,the HSM 400 has been designed for optimal ergonomicfunctionality, resulting in a radical, modern unit, with a totalspace requirement, including the integrated pallet changer, ofonly six cubic metres.

The single, easily manipulated doorprovides access from three sides, for straightforward manual orcrane loading, unrestricted by the automatic workpiece handlingsystem.

The machine provides an optimum table height of 900mm andideal positioning depth, together with steeply angled,easy-to-clean stainless steel covers, to prevent swarf build-up.A large window provides an unrestricted view of the workpiece andthere is a single control unit for both machining and automation.The new, fully integrated workpiece changer has a minimum ofmoving parts and is situated outside the working area to avoidthe build-up of swarf, dust and coolant.

Programming is carriedout directly at the machine control unit.

The HSM 400 has beendesigned and constructed to produce the highest levels ofreliability and process security.

Well protected components,maintenance-free ball screws and linear guides and a carefullythought-out swarf management system all add to a truly robust andreliable system capable of tackling demanding work-loads day in,day out.

In summary, Mikron's new HSM 400 is a radical newdevelopment in high speed milling machines, providing superbprecision, accuracy and reliability for a wide range ofapplications including: prototyping, electrode production,plastic injection and die-cast moulding, and die-forging.

Theintegrated work-piece and tool changing functions of the machinemake 24 hour, unmanned working a realistic proposition to agreater range of companies than ever before.

Machinespecification details include: working range: a.

X axis 400mm b.Y axis, 450mm c.

Z axis 350mm d.

Tool holder HSK E40 •Feed drive:a.

Feed rate XYZ 0 to 40000 mm/min b.

Spindle acceleration (a)10m/s2 •Work table: a.

Clamping surface - Depending on pallet b.Workpiece weight max 200kg.

•Control system - Heidenhahn TNC430•Automatic control: a.

Tool-changer, number of tool stations18,36,72 b.

Pallet changer, magazine capacity, depending onpallet size: 7,20, 48 c.

Laser tool measurement - standard •Weight, net, including tool-changer approx 6500kg •Options: a.Chip conveyor b.

Coolant distribution c.

Vaporised oil mistextraction d.

Dust extraction e.

Oil mist lubrication,