Makino 1-Series HMC Reduces Costs and Enhances Productivity

Makino’s a81 horizontal machining center (HMC) features the largest pallet available in the popular 1-Series line. It provides unparalleled productivity and reliability, and helps customers reduce costs from their manufacturing operations.

The Makino a81 is loaded with features that help manufacturers increase productivity and decrease operational costs, including swift axis movement and faster spindle acceleration/deceleration than other comparable HMCs. Out-of-cut time is diminished because of the machine’s standard ring-type, 40-tool magazine with short seek times. This is complemented by a quick automatic tool changer that has a fast tool-to-tool (1.7 seconds) time and chip-to-chip (3.5 seconds) time.

Makino’s a81 is the largest of the 1-Series line. It is capable of handling a payload of 2,640 lb (1,200kg) and an X-, Y-, Z-axis travel of 35.4” x 31.5” x 40.2” (900mm x 800mm x 1020mm). The a81 is capable of simultaneous B-axis movement with tool change

It is fitted with a 24.8” (630mm) pallet and a standard 50-taper, 10,000rpm spindle with exceptional acceleration characteristics and minimal vibration. The spindle is equipped with a 300psi through-spindle coolant system.  Rapid traverse and cutting feedrate of the a81 are 1,968ipm (50m per minute).

The a81’s footprint is 138” x 215” (3,460mm x 5,370mm), which is more compact than competitive machines and designed for easy maintenance access around the entire perimeter. High-volume chip evacuation is facilitated by a wide-center trough with a standard rear discharge lift up chip conveyor that includes a coolant leakage protection design.

Other features include an automatic pallet changer with safety guard, a standard three-point support system, an ergonomic swing operator control panel, a safety-designed four-layer protective operator door window and flood coolant and overhead shower coolant.

The a81 comes standard with Makino's proprietary, next generation Geometric Intelligence (GI) servo control with Radical Mode. GI helps provide the lowest cycle times achievable, while maintaining accuracy and meeting the customer’s Cpk requirements.