The system, which will be presented at the Intec, offers far more than the 36 possible combinations assumed - namely 72 due to the variation as a single-spindle or twin-spindle machine. And with the clever multiple clamping options, the variants even increase to more than 102. These are perfect prerequisites for precision and cost-effectiveness in high-volume production as well as for small batches or individual pieces.

The developers of the Mikron 6×6 modular machine tool system consistently focused on the requirements of practitioners. Firstly, these are dominated by the requirement that the complete production of components is possible on a single machine. The system makes this possible by combining six workpiece table variants with six automation levels as a single or twin-spindle version. It therefore has all the necessary machining and movement axes and all degrees of freedom for the all-round machining of workpieces. The first demand was dominated by the demand for optimum economic efficiency of the machining processes. With increased output and reduced non-productive times, the machine also offers excellent prerequisites here. It also scores highly in terms of flexibility thanks to fast retooling during production changes.

The fact that the user can initially limit his investment to only those machine components that his current production situation requires also contributes to economic efficiency.

The Mikron 6×6 modular system has the capabilities of horizontal machining centers and automated high-end machining centers as well as those of twin-spindle milling machines. With the economically attractive precision machining of steels, cast materials or light metals, the machine is recommended for industries such as automotive suppliers, aerospace, manufacturers of hydraulic and pneumatic components, medical technology, but also for tool manufacturers and machine builders. All workpieces can be reached from each of the two spindles. This makes it possible to carry out single-spindle CNC-corrected finish machining in addition to twin-spindle roughing and finishing, even with multiple clamping. This saves the user the need for an additional single-spindle machining center for high-precision machining. It also saves the time lost in transferring parts from one machine to another.

From the six workpiece table variants, the user can select the one that is necessary for processing their workpiece or that carries out their machining process most economically. The selection includes, for example, an angled table, on the surface of which the workpiece measuring up to 800 x 600 x 500 millimetres is clamped manually in the single-spindle version. With the two-spindle version, workpieces up to 300 by 600 by 500 millimetres can be clamped. This angled table can be moved in three axes during machining. The further selection of workpiece table variants extends to the clamping bridge, which can be moved in four axes. With this, eight or sixteen parts can be finished on all six sides on two or four clamping areas in two settings. The user can also choose from four other workpiece table variants: a four-axis unit for clamping the workpiece between the chuck and the counter spindle; and an NC rotary table with a horizontal axis that can cycle 90 degrees upwards during machining, thus enabling so-called four-axis machining on four sides. As a fifth side can be machined tangentially on this NC rotary table, Mikron refers to this as 4.5-axis machining. In addition to the table variants already mentioned, a five-axis swivel rotary table and a five-axis double swivel rotary table are also available. It is important to note that almost all table variants can be used to clamp and machine very different workpieces thanks to clever multiple clamping options. pb

Intec, Hall 2, Stand G12/H13