GF Machining Solutions Mikron HSM 500

The Mikron HSM 500 is GF Machining Solutions' 3-axis high-speed machining centre for tool and mould finishing, with 500 x 450 x 350 mm of travel, a 550 x 450 mm T-slot table rated for 200 kg and a 42 m/min feed rate. GF lists two STEP TEC spindles for it, 30,000 rpm or 42,000 rpm, both with an HSK-E40 interface and both rated 13.5 kW and 8.8 Nm.

Those spindle figures say what the machine is for. A small HSK-E40 interface, 8.8 Nm of torque and very high speed suit small ball and bull-nose cutters taking light, fast passes in hardened steel, copper and graphite, which is mould finishing and electrode work rather than heavy roughing. GF describes a vector-controlled drive for short run-up and braking, ceramic hybrid bearings with oil-air lubrication and a liquid-cooled stator.

Most of what GF says about the HSM 500 concerns holding size over time. The base is polymer concrete, the axes read from absolute optical linear scales, and the structure is fully liquid-cooled. Intelligent Thermal Control (ITC) compensates for thermal displacement so precision work can start without a warm-up, and the Operator Support System (OSS) tunes dynamic behaviour for machining time and surface quality. Each machine is assembled in an air-conditioned workshop and checked with laser measuring systems to ISO 230, and a compact touch probe measures parts in the machine.

The tool magazine holds 18 or 36 pockets. The Mikron MILL P 500 has the same 500 x 450 x 350 mm travel but a larger 600 x 500 mm table rated for 300 kg and spindles up to 30 kW, and is the choice when the same cavity has to be roughed as well as finished. A dedicated Graphite version of the HSM 500 is sold for electrode milling.