SNK HGM-5

The SNK HGM-5 is a large-format 5-axis gantry machining center designed for machining structural aerospace components, large molds, and energy industry parts. SNK (Shin Nippon Koki) has been a dominant force in large 5-axis machining for decades, and the HGM-5 is one of their workhorses for shops that need to machine parts measured in meters rather than millimeters. With X-axis travels starting at 5,000 mm and scalable up to 20,000 mm or more, this machine handles full-size aircraft structural components, wind turbine blade molds, and large marine propulsion parts.

The universal milling head provides continuous 5-axis simultaneous machining with A/C axis rotation capability. The head tilts +/-110 degrees on the A-axis and provides continuous 360-degree C-axis rotation, giving the cutting tool access to complex compound surfaces from virtually any angle. Spindle power of 45 kW at speeds up to 10,000 RPM (with optional 15,000 or 24,000 RPM high-speed spindles) covers everything from heavy roughing of titanium and Inconel to high-speed finishing of aluminum aerospace structures.

The gantry construction provides the structural rigidity needed to maintain accuracy across the machine's enormous working envelope. SNK uses finite element analysis to optimize the gantry, crossrail, and column structures for minimum deflection under cutting loads. The crossrail is hydraulically clamped during machining and can be repositioned to accommodate different workpiece heights, providing Y-axis capability typically ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 mm depending on configuration.

SNK's probing and in-process measurement capabilities are critical on parts this large, where fixture distortion and thermal growth during multi-hour roughing cycles can move reference points by hundreds of micrometers. The machine integrates touch-trigger probing for part alignment and feature verification, and optional on-machine inspection routines can verify critical dimensions before the part leaves the machine. The Fanuc 31i-B5 or Siemens SINUMERIK 840D sl control (customer's choice) handles the simultaneous 5-axis interpolation and NURBS surface machining required for complex aerospace contours.