Flex Machine Tools G-20-06

The Flex Machine Tools G-20-06 is a large-envelope vertical machining center: 240″ of X, 72″ of Y and 19.5″ of Z under a 40 HP, 6,000 RPM spindle with a CT50 or CT40 taper. It is the G-10-06 with X doubled from 120″; Y, Z, spindle and the 20-tool CT50 changer are unchanged.

An envelope this size is used in two ways. One is a single large workpiece: a long weldment, a machine base, a structural plate that needs holes and faces machined in one setup. The other is several smaller plates laid out along X, each on its own fixtures on the three integrated T-slot rails, so that setups stay in place between runs. The X rapid of up to 1200 IPM, with 1000 IPM in Y, keeps the moves between them short. Z is slower at up to 170 IPM.

If the catalogued travels are not the right fit, Flex lists X strokes from 10′ up to 50′ and Y strokes from 4′ up to 10′ as available. Two siblings share the 240″ of X. The C-20-02 is the narrow one, with 24″ of Y, 17.5″ of Z and an 18 HP CT40 spindle. The GM-20-06 has the same X and Y as this machine, 19.2″ of Z and a CT50 taper with no CT40 alternative listed.

Height under the spindle runs from 4.25″ to 23.75″ above the table. Positioning accuracy is listed as ±0.003 in for X and ±0.002 in for Y and Z, repeatability as ±0.0007 in for X and ±0.0005 in for Y and Z. On a part that uses most of the 240″, the X positioning figure is the one to hold against the drawing.

Coolant capacity is 90 gallons with a chip auger. The Omron FlexCNC controller is operated from a mobile control panel with a 22″ touch screen, and a hand pendant (AMI5000 remote pendant) is included, which matters when the spindle can be a long way from where the operator last stood.