Heller CB 4

Heller's gear-driven spindle provides constant torque across a wide speed range, unlike belt-driven spindles that lose torque at low speeds or motorized spindles that sacrifice low-end torque for high-speed capability. The CB 4's 460 Nm torque is available across the full working range, enabling heavy face milling with large-diameter cutters at low speeds and high-speed finishing at 12,000 rpm. This versatility is why Heller spindles are preferred for mixed-material production lines.

Both are premium 500-class horizontal machining centers. The Mazak HCN-5000 offers 15,000+ rpm spindle speed with its motorized spindle and MAZATROL SmoothG control. The Heller CB 4 counters with higher spindle torque (460 Nm), gear-driven spindle versatility, and generally better rigidity for heavy cutting. The Mazak has a broader dealer network in North America. Pricing is comparable. The CB 4 excels in heavy cast iron and steel; the HCN-5000 is better for high-speed aluminum work.

Yes, the CB 4 is frequently deployed in FMS (Flexible Manufacturing System) configurations with linear pallet pools. Heller works with Fastems, Liebherr, and other FMS providers to integrate the CB 4 into systems with 10-60+ pallets, allowing unmanned operation over weekends and third shifts. The machine's pallet interface, tool capacity expansion to 120 positions, and Siemens control all support FMS integration. Many automotive plants run CB 4 machines in 6-12 machine FMS cells.

The CB 4 uses spindle oil cooling, axis drive cooling, and structural temperature compensation to maintain dimensional stability during production. Heller's thermal management is designed for 24/7 automotive production where parts must stay within tolerance from cold start Monday morning through Friday evening. In practice, the machine typically holds +/- 0.005 mm positioning accuracy after thermal stabilization (approximately 30 minutes of warm-up).

The CB 4 comes standard with a high-pressure through-spindle coolant system (70 bar / 1,000 psi) for effective chip breaking in deep holes and improved tool life. The large-capacity coolant tank handles the volume demands of production machining, and the chip conveyor manages the high chip volumes generated during aggressive roughing operations. A mist collection system is standard given the enclosed machining area with horizontal spindle.

No, the CB 4 is a 4-axis machine with B-axis indexing at 1-degree increments. For 5-axis simultaneous contouring, Heller offers the HF series (HF 3500, HF 5500) which feature continuous A/B or B/C axis configurations. The CB 4 handles 4-axis tombstone-style work with rotary indexing between faces. Many production applications don't require 5-axis capability, and the CB 4's simpler 4-axis architecture provides better rigidity and lower cost for those applications.