Method's New FANUC RoboDrill Vertical Maching Center

"Method's Machine Tools, Inc. introduced a new heavy-duty FANUC RoboDrill Ft14Fe vertical machining center that offers high-speed milling, drilling, tapping, deburring, and chamfering. The RoboDrill Ft14Fe offers an economical price and ecological spindle that returns energy to the machine in the intervals between cutting, and is designed and built in Japan for years of continuous duty," said John Crean, RoboDrill Product Manager, Methods Machine Tools.

With a working cube 19.7" x 15.7" x 12.9", feed rates to 1181 IPM, rapid traverses to 1890 IPM, accelerations to 1.5 G, 0.8-second tool changes (tool-to-tool), rigid tapping to 5000 RPM; and high-speed reverse tapping (up to 20 times faster than infeed), the 30-taper RoboDrill Ft14Fe offers the performance of some 40-taper machines. Its FANUC 31i CNC has simultaneous 3-axis control (expandable to 4-axis). Other standard features include a 14.75 HP (peak) 10,000 RPM direct drive spindle with precision-enhancing thermal compensation and HRV control, a 14-station tool changer, an auto lube system, and an interior work light.

"The RoboDrill Ft14Fe's speed and versatility make it ideal for off-loading larger, slower machines as well as for performing secondary operations, regardless of production volumes. Easy to use, it is the perfect all-round workhorse VMC for any job shop. Options include high-speed indexers, a fourth axis, a signal lamp, and robotic loading," said Mr. Crean.

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