Fidia Linea C3

The Fidia Linea C3 is a 5-axis gantry for composites, the shortest of the three Linea C sizes, with 2,200 mm (86 in) of X, 3,000 mm (118 in) of Y and 1,200 mm (47 in) of Z. What sets the line apart from Fidia's metal-cutting gantries is everything built around dust.

CFRP, honeycomb, graphite and ceramic matrix composites produce fine, abrasive and in some cases potentially explosive dust. The Linea C answers with capture at the source through flexible collectors and retractable hoods around the spindle, a programmable hood (DRP/M5-R2) positioned by the CNC, ATEX Zone 22 filtration units, and a push-pull airflow that sweeps the working chamber toward the filters.

Mechanically it is built like a metal-cutting machine, which Fidia says gives stable positioning and contouring with 5 continuous axes. X and Y run on linear motors at 60 m/min and Z on double ball screws at 30 m/min. The heads are the M5A with a cast iron body or the M5C with an aluminum body, both with HSK63A spindles at 20,000 1/min or 24,000 1/min and 30 kW or 35 kW. A 55 kW spindle is listed only for M5A.

At this length the machine suits individual panels, fairings and trim jobs loaded across the 3,000 mm (118 in) Y axis. A 24 or 42-position magazine with an automatic protective door keeps tools out of the dust, and the TMS laser tool measurement system sits inside it. The Linea C4 and Linea C6 extend X to 4,500 mm (177 in) and 6,200 mm (244 in).