GF Mikron MILL E 800

The Mikron MILL E 800 is the smaller of GF Machining Solutions' two MILL E machines, a vertical machining center with 850 x 600 x 600 mm of travel, a 1050 x 600 mm T-slot table rated for 1000 kg and 40 m/min feed. GF pitches it at production shops that cut a broad range of materials, and builds it on a cast iron structure optimised by FEA, with pre-stressed ballscrews, linear guides and a spindle head with its own internal coolant circuit.

Three spindles are listed. The entry option is 12,000 rpm with ISO40 or BT40 taper. Next is 16,000 rpm with HSK-A63, ISO40 or BT40. At the top is a 20,000 rpm HSK-A63 spindle rated 120 Nm. GF's series text describes its STEP TEC spindles as covering 16,000 to 20,000 rpm, with hybrid ball bearings and through-spindle coolant for long tools, so ask which spindle design the 12,000 rpm option uses before comparing them.

Chip and coolant handling is specified in more detail than on most spec sheets: six adjustable high-flow coolant nozzles, two air blow-off nozzles, steeply inclined inner walls and heavy-duty chip conveyors. Through-spindle coolant up to 70 bar is optional. Tools sit in a DT 30 disc magazine or a CT 60 chain magazine, loaded in parallel with machining. GF states that almost all options can be retrofitted, so a shop can start with the disc magazine and add capacity later.

Against the Mikron VCE 800 Pro, which has 800 x 500 x 540 mm, a 910 x 500 mm table and 1,100 kg of table load, the MILL E 800 gives 600 mm of Y, 600 mm of Z and a spindle option to 20,000 rpm, at a slightly lower table rating. The Mikron MILL E 1200 is the same design stretched to 1250 mm of X.