June 22, 2004
Indianapolis — Hurco Companies, Inc. is introducing more new machining products at IMTS 2004 than any other exhibitor. The new offering includes a series of three lathes, a graphite machining center and the third model in Hurco’s popular VM series machining center.
“We’ve been busy,” said Jim Fabris, Hurco President and COO. “Our customers from all over the world have been asking for more products with Hurco’s famous controls, and these three new products are a demonstration of our customer focus.”
The new TM Series turning centers
The headlining product is a series of single-spindle, slant-bed turning centers. Each lathe (with either 6 inch, 8 inch or 10 inch chucks) runs the feature-rich Hurco control system. This product line is targeted for job shops and contract manufacturers needing efficient processing of small to medium lot sizes.
With a base price of $39,900, the TM Series lathes combine Hurco’s famous user-friendly control with affordability. Machinists can quickly and easily set up and program on the shop floor using Hurco’s knowledge-based software, directly convert CAD drawings into programs and download CAM generated programs.
The Hurco TM6, TM8, and TM10 turning centers have spindle speeds up to 6,000 RPM and up to 12 station turrets – in compact footprints. These machines are capable of handling the full range of 2-axis lathe work and can be supplemented with options such as tailstock, chip conveyor, tool probe, parts catcher and bar feeder.
“I can’t find a more potent and cost-effective lathe on the market,” said Fabris. “And that’s what makes these turning centers the logical complement to our popular VM Series (of vertical machining centers). The market embraced the cost-effective combination of a powerful, versatile control with a well-featured machine tool using quality components on the VM. We’re very confident the same will occur with the TM lathes.”
The new VM1 Graphite machining center
Hurco’s new VM1Graphite machining center was also a response to customer requests. Though it was designed for graphite work, it is also ideal for machining plastics and light metals – within the capability of high-speed (up to 30,000 RPM) spindle.
The VM1Graphite has travels of 26 inches x 14 inches x 18 inches. The spindle will use 30 taper tooling with the swing arm ATC and is cooled with a refrigerated liquid to provide a long life and thermal stability.
To minimize dust contamination, the metal telescoping way covers will have positive air flow. The machine enclosure will be modified to accommodate an optional vacuum dust collection system.
Hurco’s easy-to-use UltiMax® control will provide expanded memory and network software to facilitate large CAM generated programs, which are common in graphite electrode work. Contouring rates up to 600 IPM can also be achieved using the UltiMax control.
“Many of our moldmaking customers worldwide tell us they need a cost effective graphite machine,” states Jim Fabris, Chief Operating Officer and President. “When you use the proven design of the VM1 with quality components, dust collection and the UltiMax control, the result is the most cost effective solution — Hurco’s VM1Graphite.”
The new VM3 machining center
Hurco will also introduce the third model in its successful VM Series vertical machining centers. With a base price starting at $54,900, the VM3 has been designed for job shops and contract manufacturers that need a cost-effective vertical machining center to handle low and medium lot quantity jobs.
The VM3 offers travels of 50 inches x 18 inches x 18 inches, a 20 HP spindle motor and an 8,000 RPM spindle to perfectly complement the VM1 and VM2 models. All three models allow users to set up, program and process their jobs quickly and efficiently.
Hurco’s UltiMax® control provides simplicity and flexibility on each of the VM Series machining centers, creating a powerful capability to meet customers’ demands for lower costs and faster turnaround times.
“The VM Series has been successful because it really meets the needs of our users who want a cost-effective solution to low and medium lot size operations,” said Fabris. “The pressure to reduce cost and speed up turnaround times is now a constant factor in the manufacturing environment. Investing in the right technology and gaining a fair return on your investment is the key to their future – and the VM3 fits this mold quite well.”
As with the other VM Series machines, the VM3 can be optionally equipped with rigid tapping, chip removal system, indexer, 4th axis rotary tables, Hurco’s conversational tool and part probing, and a range of productivity-enhancing multitasking software. The standard 1GB hard drive and expandable RAM (up to 256 MB) couple with contouring rates up to 400 IPM to make the VM3 ideal for handling 3D surface machining. When Hurco’s simple PC networking package is added, the VM3 can be fully integrated into any shop.
These new products will be officially introduced at IMTS 2004 in Hurco’s booth (A-8117) and available for sale in September 2004.