GF Mikron VCE 800 Pro

The Mikron VCE 800 Pro is the smallest of the three VCE PRO sizes GF Machining Solutions offers, a vertical machining center with 800 x 500 x 540 mm of travel, a 910 x 500 mm table rated for 1,100 kg and 40 m/min feed on all axes. GF positions the series for contract manufacturers, who need one machine for a changing mix of jobs rather than a specialist finishing machine.

The standard spindle reflects that. It is a belt-driven 10,000 rpm ISO 40 unit rated 18.5 kW, which GF describes as the high-torque choice for heavy cutting and large-diameter tools. The alternative is an optional STEP TEC inline spindle at 16,000 rpm, with HSK-A63, ISO40 or BT40 taper and 99 Nm, for finishing and small-diameter tools. A shop that mostly faces, drills and roughs will be better served by the belt drive; one that runs aluminium with small end mills should price the inline option.

On this size the tool magazine is listed with 24 or 40 pockets. Across the series GF describes a side-mounted double-arm gripper that keeps the work area clear, tool loading in parallel with machining, and a chip-to-chip time of 8 seconds. Coolant is directed by a programmable nozzle that repositions after each tool change. Through-spindle coolant at 18 or 42 bar is optional, as is a robot interface compatible with SYSTEM 3R and third-party automation.

For the same 800 mm of X, the Mikron MILL S 800 offers 600 mm of Y but only 500 mm of Z and a 1,000 kg table rating, with high-speed spindles instead of a belt drive. The next VCE PRO size, the Mikron VCE 1000 Pro, goes to 1020 x 560 x 600 mm, 1350 kg and a 60-pocket magazine option.