Makino MAG3

The Makino MAG3 is a five-axis horizontal machining center for complex aluminum monolithic aerospace parts on a 3,000 x 1,500 mm (118.1 in x 59.1 in) pallet. Travels are 3,000 mm (118.1 in) in X, 1,500 mm (59 in) in Y and 1,000 mm in Z, and the spindle is a 33,000 rpm, 130 kW unit. Parts up to 3,000 x 1,500 x 750 mm (118.1 in x 59 in x 29.5 in) and 3,000 kg (6,600 lb) fit the envelope, so the machine favours long, flat structural parts over tall, cubic work.

The two rotary axes are listed as A ± 110° and C 360°. Makino points to the compact spindle and short pivot point as the reason for good five-face access, which reduces setups and the variation that comes with refixturing. The same compactness matters on deep pockets, where a short pivot keeps the head clear of walls at steep angles.

The axes are fast for the size. X rapids at 62,700 mm/min and Y and Z at 58,000 mm/min (X: 2,468 ipm Y / Z 2,283 ipm), and the cutting feedrate is 50,000 mm/min (1,968 ipm). Tool change is 8.5 sec tool-to-tool and 15 sec chip-to-chip. The tool magazine is listed as 120 (180); the table does not label the larger figure as an option, so confirm which is supplied. Tools may be up to 100 mm (3.9 in) in diameter and 8 kg (17.6 lb), so this is a machine for many light, fast tools rather than large cutters.

The MAG3 can be integrated with an automatic pallet transfer and storage system in Makino's MMC for long unattended runs. Plan the pallet store and floor space for 3,000 x 1,500 mm pallets from the start if that is the intent.

Against the Makino MAG1, the MAG3 has larger strokes and a larger pallet: 3,000 mm (118.1 in) of X against 1,520 mm (59.8 in), on a 3,000 x 1,500 mm pallet instead of 800 x 1000 mm. For longer parts, the Makino MAG3.EX stretches X to 4,000 mm (157.5 in) on a 3,500 x 1,500 mm pallet.