Flex Machine Tools C-10-02

The Flex Machine Tools C-10-02 is a long-travel vertical machining center with 120″ of X, 24″ of Y and 17.5″ of Z, an 18 HP CT40 spindle that runs to 6,000 RPM and a 16-tool automatic changer. X is five times Y, so this is a machine for long, narrow work or for a row of setups, not for wide plate.

Workholding is three integrated T-slot rails, which suits that shape: vises and fixtures can be clamped where the part needs them, and a long extrusion or bar can be supported at several points. Distance from spindle to table runs from 5″ to 22.5″, so tall fixtures and long tools have to share 17.5″ of Z between them.

The spindle figures point to general milling and drilling more than to heavy roughing or high-speed finishing. 6,000 RPM limits surface speed with small cutters in aluminium, and 18 HP on a CT40 taper is a moderate rating; the table gives no torque figure. The changer has a tool calibrator. Rapids are up to 1200 IPM in X, 1000 IPM in Y and 300 IPM in Z, so long moves down the X axis are quick while Z retracts are the slow part of a hole pattern.

Flex lists positioning accuracy of ±0.003 in on X and ±0.002 in on Y and Z, with repeatability of ±0.0007 in on X and ±0.0005 in on Y and Z. Check hole-to-hole tolerances along the length of the part against the X figure. The machine runs on the Omron FlexCNC controller with a hand pendant (AMI5000 remote pendant) and a mobile control panel with a 22″ touch screen. Coolant capacity is 46.25 gallons and chips leave by auger. A 4th axis with a 10″ or 16″ platter, a fixed table and a tailstock is listed as an option.

The C-20-02 doubles X to 240″ on the same Y, Z and spindle. The G-10-06 keeps 120″ of X but has 72″ of Y, 19.5″ of Z and a 40 HP spindle. Flex offers X strokes from 10′ up to 50′, and the C-10-02 is the short end of that range.