Machining Center for Small Workpieces

Here’s a different approach to a micromachining center--a machining strategy developed around interpolation, allowing machining operations to benefit from the dynamic control of the worktable while reducing the number of tools needed.
#micromachining

Chris Felix

Former Editor-in-Chief, Production Machining

Here’s a different approach to a micromachining center. At the EMO exhibition in Hannover last week, Willemin-Macodel introduced a machining strategy developed around interpolation, allowing machining operations to benefit from the dynamic control of the worktable while reducing the number of tools needed.

The 701S machining center supports the workpiece on a table that is connected to three arms, similar to an inverted Delta parallel robot. This inverted parallel structure enables the weight in motion to be minimized while ensuring the feed control remains rigid. The result is high natural frequency, highly dynamic control and great reliability in high speed trajectory tracking.

The machining spindle is attached to a fixed gantry overhanging the three-axis table. This concept allows submicron precision in micromachining applications. A balanced spindle shaft with no floating mechanical parts results in top quality rotation.

To see an in-depth description of this interesting micromachining center concept, read “Purpose Built Micromachining Center” from Production Machining’s upcoming October issue.