Feeler FDM-7232

With 7,200 mm (283.5 in) of X travel and 3,100 mm (122.0 in) of Y, the Feeler FDM-7232 carries 27 ton on a 7,000 × 2,600 mm (275.6 × 102.4 in) table. The bracketed load is 30 ton, the highest figure anywhere in the FDM table.

A machine this large spends most of its hours roughing. Feeler's argument for the FDM is that enlarged spindle head and slide contact surfaces allow larger diameter tools, improving material removal rates and reducing cycle time. On a mould block of several tonnes, where most of the steel leaves as chips, removal rate decides the delivery date more than finishing speed does.

The spindle rows are short on detail. Speed is 6,000 rpm with 4,000-8,000 rpm in brackets, and the taper is BT/DIN/CAT 50 with #40 in brackets. Reading the two rows together, the lower end of the bracketed range would suit a high-torque 50-taper spindle and the upper end the lighter taper, but the table does not pair them, and it gives no power or torque. For a roughing machine those are the first figures to request.

X travel sits at the figure Feeler quotes for its drive change: rack and pinion with a reduction gearbox is stated for X-axis travel over 7200 mm, so whether this model has it should be confirmed. X and Z rapids are 12 m/min (472 ipm) and Y is 15 m/min (591 ipm). Z travel is 800 mm (31.5 in), or 1,000-1,400 mm. The magazine is 24 tools, or 32-90.