Five-Axis Machining Center With Integrated CAM Software Overcomes Skills Gap

Jingdiao North America announces the GRA200 five-axis machining center designed to machine complex, tight-tolerance parts — including molds — for industries ranging from die and mold, aerospace, medical, energy or automotive. Highlighted in particular is the company’s Surfmill CAM software, which has been integrated to overcome the skills gap in places such as the toolroom.

In addition to providing a given set of directions for the machine, the company’s own integrated CAM system offers several features to aid the operator in navigating the GRA200. Prior to producing the NC code, for example, Surfmill is said to verify the program won’t crash during operation; an alert system has been included in the case a crash is imminent. To reduce machine downtime, an Auto-Alignment feature aligns the workpiece in the X, Y and Z axes. Surfmill is also able to compensate for tool length —measuring the length, in addition to the radius — and an On Machine Measurement feature uses a Renishaw probe to determine the critical dimensions of the workpiece and whether it’s within tolerance, providing a 3D image of the cut prior to removal. 

The GRA200 five-axis iteself features X, Y, and Z axis travels of 20" x 11" x 12" and a 10" table. The machine is available with a 63-position tool magazine and an optional MHS30 material handling systems (pallet pool). The GRA200 mill is reported to offer a positioning accuracy within 0.000080" (2μm) and repeatability of 0.000070" (1.8μm). Its bridge style design and thermal cooling design system makes it highly stable, Jingdiao notes, and capable of machining micron-level part accuracy. It can also produce mirror finishes that eliminate the need for hand polishing. The five-axis can be programmed with Surfmill or users can integrate their own software programs to use in combination.