So, in February 2014, the first Heckert HEC 630 Athletic has been purchased. The essential decision criteria in favor for the horizontal machining center were the large working area and the high stability. At a clamping surface of 800 x 630 mm, the HEC 630 Athletic allows an interference diameter of 1,250 mm (flattened up to 1,550 mm) and a maximum work piece height of also 1,250 mm. “Heckert could prevail not least also because of the possibility to adapt the machine exactly to our demands. For example, also modifications at the machine stand have been made, for a better machining of large parts with high process reliability”, says a pleased Mister Kieberger. Thereby, the NC rotary table can carry a work piece weight of up to 1,500 kg. The rotational speed of 70 rpm can be optionally increased to up to 500 rpm and thus, it can even be used for rotating operations. The traverse paths of (X/Y/Z) 1,200 x 950 x 1,200 mm offer sufficient space for the machining of large parts. The spindle with its rotational speed of up to 15,000 rpm transmits the drive power of 82 kW without gearbox via a HSK-A 100 interface to the tool. The tool magazine offers 80 storage spaces with a maximum tool length of 800 mm. The tools may have a weight of up to 35 kg. In January 2015, another HEC 630 Athletic has been purchased. This one is, except an adapted spindle, identical in construction to the first machine. “Our main aim has been a capacity expansion”, Kieberger explains. “With the first machine, we perform 19 weekly shifts with almost always the same parts. On one hand, the new sister machine allows us to increase the throughput for this part, on the other hand it also allows to additionally produce other parts in alternating operation”, he adds. The machines are arranged in a machining cell shifted by 90° to one another and can be loaded and unloaded from the same work place with crane support.
