GF Mikron MILL X 400

The Mikron MILL X 400 is the pallet-based machine of GF Machining Solutions' MILL S/X series: 500 x 450 x 360 mm of travel, 100 m/min rapid traverse, and a pallet clamping surface in place of a fixed table. GF lists System 3R Dynafix at 280 x 280 or 350 x 350 and Erowa UPC at 320 x 320, with a maximum load of 120 kg.

On paper it shares a great deal with the Mikron MILL S 500: the same travels, the same 6,800 kg machine weight, the same HSK-E40 spindles and the same 68 or 168 tool magazine. The two machines part ways on speed and work holding. The Mikron MILL S 500 runs 61 m/min rapids over a 590 x 450 mm table for 200 kg. The MILL X 400 gives up table area and load capacity for 100 m/min and a pallet interface, so parts can be clamped and measured away from the machine and swapped in without touching the spindle area.

Spindle choices are 30,000 rpm or 42,000 rpm, both HSK-E40 and both rated 13.5 kW and 8.8 Nm. That is a small-tool, light-cut spindle. Where the higher rapids pay off is on programs with thousands of short moves and repositioning, typical of fine mould details, electrodes and small precision components.

Control is a choice of Heidenhain TNC 7 or Siemens SINUMERIK ONE. GF describes the series as built for automation, with pallet systems including System 3R Dynafix, Erowa UPC and System 3R MacroMagnum in disc-type magazine configurations, and JobToolManager software to queue NC programs and set job priority. Decide on the pallet standard first, because the clamping surface differs between Dynafix and UPC and your existing fixtures may already commit you to one of them.