GF Machining Solutions Mikron HSM 700

Choose the HSM 700 when your mold cavity blocks, die inserts, or electrode blanks regularly exceed 480 mm in X or 430 mm in Y — the practical working clearance of the HSM 500. The HSM 700 provides 700 x 600 mm travel, 700 kg table capacity, and 30,000 RPM spindle speed. The HSM 500 is faster at maximum RPM (36,000 RPM) for small-feature work but cannot accommodate large workpieces. Both machines use the same Step-Tec spindle technology, Granitan base, and TNC 640 control. For shops with mixed small and large mold work, buying both is a common configuration — the HSM 500 handles precision electrode and small cavity work while the HSM 700 handles large cavity blocks.

The HSM 700 machines hardened steel effectively up to 62 HRC for finishing operations using small-to-medium diameter ball-end mills. For roughing and semi-finishing, pre-hardened P20 (30-36 HRC), H13 (up to 48 HRC), and hardened tool steels (48-56 HRC) are routinely machined at productive removal rates. The combination of 30,000 RPM Step-Tec spindle, Granitan vibration damping, and rigid HSK-E50 interface makes the HSM 700 capable of finishing hardened cavities to surface quality that may eliminate hand polishing, which is where the machine's ROI is realized.

Yes, with appropriate graphite extraction equipment. The HSM 700 is not purpose-built for graphite like the MILL S Graphite series, but GF offers a graphite machining package for the HSM 700 that includes external extraction system connection points, work zone sealing options, and guide protection. For shops where the HSM 700 is primarily a metal mold finishing machine but graphite electrode production is a secondary requirement, this package is effective. For dedicated high-volume graphite electrode production, the MILL S 500 Graphite with its fully integrated sealed architecture is the more appropriate choice.

The Heidenhain TNC 640 control on the HSM 700 supports standard pallet and robot automation interfaces. GF Machining Solutions offers the System 3R WorkShopManager for pallet-based workpiece handling, enabling the HSM 700 to run unattended overnight production of mold components. A robot cell can load pre-set workpieces on System 3R pallets, and the TNC 640's automated program management handles tool life monitoring, offset updates, and program sequencing without operator intervention. For electrode production, System 3R's common tooling system allows direct transfer of finished electrodes from the HSM 700 to GF AgieCharmilles sinker EDM machines without re-referencing.

New Mikron HSM 700 machines typically have lead times of 6-10 months from order to delivery for standard configurations, and 10-14 months for heavily customized machines or during peak GF production periods. Site preparation, foundation work, and installation should be planned to align with machine delivery. Foundation requirements include a 300-350 mm reinforced concrete slab, leveling anchor points, and precision alignment tolerances provided by GF during the presales engineering phase. GF's applications team typically conducts a site survey before order finalization to identify any infrastructure requirements.