a500Z Horizontal Machining 5-Axis
Reliable and efficient production with 5-axis flexibility
Makino is excited to announce the newest addition to our family of high capability horizontal machining centers, the five-axis a500Z. This versatile machine builds upon the industry-leading performance and reliability of our nx-series four-axis HMC’s, adding a factory-built and fully integrated “Z-type” fourth/fifth axis combination to accommodate today’s more complex part geometry challenges in a minimum number of workholding setups and machining operations.
The unique kinematic arrangement of the a500Z minimizes the force path lengths both through the spindle as well as through the workpiece, efficiently transferring both cutting loads and reactive forces into the machine’s three-point leveled bed, maximizing both metal removal rates and perishable tool life due to unparalleled system rigidity.
Technical Specifications
The a500Z accommodates workpieces of up to Ø24.8” (Ø630mm) x 19.9” (500mm) high, with payload weights up to 880 pounds (400kg). The X- and Y- strokes are 28.7” (730mm) and 29.5” (750mm) respectively, with the Z- stroke ranging from 19.7” – 27.6” (500mm – 700mm), depending on the rotary axes positioning. Both rotary tables are of the direct drive type, with unlimited 360° movement on the B-, and 180° on the innovative ‘slant style’ C-axis unit. This allows a full range of workpiece positioning ranging from the pallet top sitting horizontal to the spindle centerline to parallel to the spindle centerline, or anywhere in between these two extremes. As has long been Makino’s hallmark, all axes on the a500Z have closed-loop active temperature control standards, providing not only the superior dimensional control that is inherent to this design but also extended component life even in the most demanding production environments. With rapid rates for all linear axes of 2,362 inches per minute (60 meters per minute) and a B-axis rotation rapid rate of 45,000 degrees per minute, this agile platform allows for highly efficient machine movements.
The a500Z’s standard 14,000 RPM high power spindle offers output capabilities of 49.6 HP (37 kW) peak power, and 223 ft-lbs (303 N-m) peak torque, making it ideal for wide-ranging material applications. The optional 20,000 RPM high-speed spindle is offered for customers utilizing primarily small diameter tools in high-speed machining applications. Tool changer magazine sizes range from the standard 60 tool capacity ring type unit, all the way up to a 313 tool matrix type magazine.
The standard automatic pallet changer on the a500Z greatly increases machine utilization, allowing workholding fixtures to tendon one pallet while the other pallet’s workpiece is being machined. Since the APC is fully integrated into the core of the a500Z, it offers both unparalleled operation ease and system reliability.
The a500Z comes standard with our Fanuc based Pro-6 CNC control, featuring standard features such as a user-friendly touch screen interface, advanced tool data management, and our patented Makino Super Geometric Intelligence (SGI.5) high-speed machining control system. The Makino a500Z – the industry’s newest standard-bearer in the complex production parts machining arena!
This content was originally published on the Makino website.
