Development of High Speed Machining Center with Linear Motors

Abstract

There are several approaches to increase productivity. One of them is to shorten cutting time by means of high-speed and high-performance machining operations. Especially, the aerospace industry that has a high ratio of aluminum cutting time is directly influenced by the high-speed machining technology to increase productivity. However, the current medium and large size machining centers whose axial strokes exceed 2000 mm (78.74inches) have not reached the cutting feedrate necessary for high-speed machining due to the limitations of ball screw drives. In order to solve such a problem we have developed a high-speed machining center employed with linear motors instead of a conventional ball screw drive. This paper introduces the technology.