The HPM 800U machine tool range was first launched at last year’s EMO exhibition and made its UK-debut at MACH 08 in April where it generated significant interest amongst visitors.

The HPM 800U machine is designed and built for automation. The machine can be supplied with either a single table, or a twin pallet, or a 7-station APC depending on customer’s requirements. However, to cope with a customers changing manufacturing needs or methods, the machine can be easily re-configured at a later date. This means for example that an originally supplied single table machine can be re-configured to a twin-pallet or a 7-station APC machine with the minimum of loss in production.

As well as exhibiting this new modular automation design – the HPM 800U machine is also equipped with rotary direct-drive technology (as opposed to standard drives). This gives customers faster and more responsive axis acceleration/deceleration and minimises the effects of backlash. All of these ensure that the HPM 800U give end-users higher productivity (reduced cycle times) and improved accuracy and repeatability.

The HPM 800U is equipped with StepTec direct-drive in-line motor spindle technology that helps optimise the HPM cutting process. The spindle design also features oil/air lubricated ceramic Hybrid bearings for longer life and, to reduce the cost of future repair and maintenance, the spindle and motor can be changed or repaired independently from one another.

The machine’s spindle interfaces with a range of back-ends – HSK; SK; BT; CAT etc. which means that customers can use their existing toolholders, avoiding the need to invest in new tooling.

As far as capability is concerned, the HPM 800U’s spindle speeds can be specified from 30,000rpm to 12,000rpm (for heavy-duty milling operations). And this capability and manufacturing flexibility is also apparent with the machine’s different ATC capacity with a choice of 30, 60, 75, 120, 170 or 220 positions being available.