How It’s Made: Superior Machine Design and Construction | Hurco

Summary

Kirkel's 55 years of expertise in machining centers is highlighted, showcasing their VMX6030 model with a 60x30x24 travel. The script details the rigorous design and manufacturing process, including CAD, quality checks, and FEA for strength and thermal analysis. Features like hand-scraped castings, heavy-duty components, and direct drive motors ensure precision and stability. The machine's design optimizes space for part manufacturing, and options like big plus spindles and ceramic bearings enhance performance. The electric cabinet's layout and ITX module's design prioritize maintenance ease. HERCO's WindMAX software caters to both conversational and G-code programming, making it a versatile choice for manufacturing.

Takeaways

• 👨‍💻 **Experience**: Kirkel has nearly 55 years of experience in building machining centers and their associated controls.
• 🛠️ **Design & Manufacturing**: The 60 30s machining center is designed from the ground up with CAD and rigorously checked for quality throughout the build process.
• 📏 **Machine Specifications**: The 60 30s machine has travel dimensions of 60 by 30 by 24 inches.
• 🔍 **Quality Checks**: Redundant check systems are used to ensure geometry accuracies, fits, and tolerances.
• 🌐 **Finite Element Analysis (FEA)**: FEA is used for strength analysis, thermal growth, and vibration analysis of the machine components.
• 🔨 **Hand Scraping**: Hand scraping of castings is done to ensure maximum contact for better rigidity and stability.
• 🔩 **Components**: Heavy-duty components like rails and ball screws are used for rigidity and strength, improving cut quality and surface finish.
• 🔄 **Roller Ways**: Roller ways on all three axes provide more rigidity compared to ball roller ways.
• 🔧 **Direct Drive**: Direct drive motors are used for better control and finish, minimizing backlash.
• 📐 **Y-Axis Spacing**: The VMX6030 has been designed with extra effort to support the saddle and minimize deflection.
• 🔩 **Big Plus Spindles**: Big plus spindles are used for increased rigidity, especially for deep pocketing and heavy metal removal.
• 🔁 **Spindle Drives**: Herco offers both direct drive and belt-driven spindles, each with their own advantages.
• 🌡️ **Ceramic Bearings**: Ceramic bearings are used in spindles to dissipate heat and reduce spindle growth.
• 🧰 **Electric Cabinet**: The electric cabinet is designed for ease of maintenance with components marked and easily accessible.
• 💻 **Software**: Herco's Windmax software offers both conversational and G-code programming options.
• 🏭 **Herco's Versatility**: Herco machines are versatile, suitable for G-code shops, conversational shops, or a blend of both.

Q & A

How long has Kirkel been in the business of building machining centers?

Kirkel has almost 55 years of experience in building machining centers and their associated controls.

What is the size category of the 60 30s performance machining center from Herco?

The 60 30s are a medium to large machine with travels of 60 by 30 by 24.

How does Herco ensure quality throughout the manufacturing process of their machine tools?

Henco uses redundant check systems throughout the build process, checking for geometry accuracies, fits, intolerances, and performs these checks multiple times until the machine is packed for shipment.

What is the purpose of using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) in the design of Herco's machine tools?

FEA is used to apply different variables to components to simulate real-world applications, analyze the strength of castings, determine thermal growth, and perform vibration analysis.

Why does Herco hand scrape their castings for mating services?

Hand scraping ensures the greatest amount of contact between mating surfaces, which helps create better rigidity and stability in the assembly.

What components does Herco use to ensure rigidity and strength in their machines?

Henco uses heavy-duty components like rails and ball screws for their rigidity and strength, which aids in better cut quality and surface finish.

What is the advantage of having roller ways on all three axes in Herco's machines?

Roller ways provide more rigidity compared to ball roller ways, which contributes to the machine's overall performance.

How does the direct drive method on Herco's VMX bottles benefit the machine's performance?

Direct drive motors provide better finish and control of the motion of the ball screws, minimizing backlash.

What is the benefit of having a longer table than the actual X-axis travel on Herco's machines?

A longer table allows for clamps, hold downs, and other fixtures to be placed outside the work envelope, providing usable space outside the machining area while utilizing the entire area for part manufacturing.

Why does Herco use big plus spindles on their milling machines?

Big plus spindles provide more rigidity, especially when reaching into deeper pockets or using long tools, and are beneficial for heavy metal removal with large face mills.

What are the benefits of the two different types of spindle drives offered by Herco, direct drive and belt driven?

Belt driven spindles offer more torque on the low end for heavy machining of harder metals, while direct drive spindles allow for faster acceleration and deceleration with less heat build-up and more responsiveness.

How does Herco's electric cabinet design facilitate maintenance?

The electric cabinet is laid out for ease of maintenance with components marked and evenly spaced, mounted on DIN rails for quick removal, and the ITX module is designed to be easily removed and replaced.

What is the significance of Herco's partnership with Yaskawa for drives and motors?

Yaskawa is a well-known brand for their reliable and high-quality drives and motors, which contributes to the overall quality and performance of Herco's machines.

How does Herco's Windmax software cater to different types of programming needs?

Windmax software allows users to choose between conversational programming or G-code programming, offering a balance of features for both types of users and powerful conversational blocks for 2D and 2.5D work without needing a CAM system.

What makes Herco a versatile choice for manufacturing?

Henco offers the tools necessary for both G-code and conversational shops, allowing them to blend these methods as needed, with the machine adapting to the job requirements.