Rethinking machine tool automation

As part of the market launch of the compact 5-axis ACURA 50 machining centre, HEDELIUS is also launching the ACURA 50 EL, the automatable version of the high-performance machine for small workpieces. This reflects the fact that this family-run company in northern Germany is mindful of a little detail that can greatly increase efficiency in production.

Precision as a benchmark

As with all HEDELIUS machining centres, precision serves as a benchmark for the EL version of the compact ACURA 50 milling machine. Small components can be manufactured with a high degree of precision with travelling distances of 500 x 550 x 550 mm (x/y/z) and clamping weights of up to 300 kg. “The high quality of our machining centres, which also enable our customers to manufacture with high precision over the long term, has always been extremely important to us,” explains HEDELIUS Managing Director Dennis Hempelmann. Among other benefits, the special HEDELIUS travelling column concept ensures that the distance between the main spindle and the guides for the Y- and Z-axes always remains constant, while the ribbed cast iron feed slides and the Z-axis cladding against draughts and heat radiation ensure precision. The ACURA 50’s sheer compactness is another plus point of the design. With a footprint of approx. 5.5 m², it surpasses all other machining centres on the market, while still offering large travel paths and a 55-slot tool magazine as standard. As such, the milling machine often proves the answer to space issues in factory buildings.

Two machining centres and an automation solution

Anyone familiar with the ACURA range of HEDELIUS machining centres will be aware that the ACURA 65 EL and ACURA 85 EL can be loaded via the left side of the machine using automation. In this sense, the ACURA 50 differs from its two big sisters. It is loaded from the right side, through an 840 x 600 mm loading opening. This little detail has a huge impact on the efficiency of production, as it allows two machining centres to be loaded by a single robot automation, so that the user always has a complete view of both machines. This can lead to significant increases in productivity. At the same time, both working areas remain fully accessible, allowing individual parts to be manufactured quickly and flexibly, and monitoring activities to be carried out. The whole system, comprising the automation solution and two ACURA machining centres, is still extremely compact and requires significantly less production space than other systems.

More information and technical details.