Blades of class

GF Machining Solutions, the milling, EDM and laser ablation machine tool specialist, and advanced tooling and automation solutions provider, has recently introduced, via its Liechti Engineering AG subsidiary, a new, high-performance simultaneous 5-axis machining centre dedicated to the fast and efficient processing of high-precision blades used in the aerospace and power generation industries.

The Liechti Turbomill 500g, with a whole host of features that include Liechti’s g-technology and Tool Pivot Point machining capability, helps manufacturers machine high-quality, competitively priced blade components in rapid time.

The machine, equipped with a 20,000rpm HSK-A63 StepTec spindle and up to 2,000rpm turning capability, features 2g acceleration/deceleration rates and 60m/minute linear feed rates, ensuring that the Turbomill 500g gets down to business fast, helping to reduce part cycle times by up to 30%.

These ultra-fast processing speeds do not compromise accuracy or quality as the Turbomill 500g can achieve blade accuracies of ±0.015mm, and surface finishes of 0.4µm.

Providing high productivity through unattended operation, the Turbomill 500g can also be equipped with a bar feeder that automatically loads bar stock into the machine ensuring non-stop production. To ensure consistent high quality part production the machine features direct-drive motors on all five axes, an internal bed cooling system and intelligent thermal compensation which helps stabilise machining temperatures and reduce the effects of thermal drift.

The machine is also equipped with Liechti’s 100rpm Tool Pivot Point (TPP) innovation which, available on the machine’s B-axis, ensures fast and accurate contouring around blade edges. Reduced movement of the linear axis delivers shorter cycle times, higher positional accuracies and less mechanical wear.

GF Machining Solutions
www.gfms.com/uk