Mach 2010 will feature Hurco's DCX22 machining centre, which has superior thermal stability for precise machining and allows heavier table loads and a larger Y-axis travel with no loss of rigidity.

Hurco will also display its five-axis and larger-capacity machining centres and CNC lathes at the event.

But Hurco's new twin-column, bridge-type DCX22 machining centre will dominate the company's stand.

It is available in 40-taper and 50-taper versions; the former (DCX 22-40) will be the one on show.

The construction has advantages over gantry-type and C-frame machines in that it has superior thermal stability for higher-accuracy machining and allows heavier table loads and a larger Y-axis travel with no loss of rigidity.

Large components can therefore be produced to tight tolerances, such as dies, moulds and parts for the aerospace and energy sectors.

The fixed-rail design of the DCX 22-40 offers X/Y/Z travels of 2200/1700/750mm with 24m/min rapids and a 2100 x 1600mm pallet.

The 40-taper spindle with 18kW (optionally 26kW) of peak power is mounted in a vertical ram of box-construction for maximum cutting capability and rigidity.

There are 8,000, 10,000 and 15,000rev/min spindle options.

The 40-station, swing-arm toolchanger keeps the carousel clear of swarf and maximises the working envelope.

All DCX machines are fitted with Hurco's simple-to-use Winmax twin-screen control system, allowing even the most complex 2D jobs to be quickly and easily programmed at the machine.

A less well-known feature of the control is its capacity to handle NC files with full ISNC compatibility.

The control has a 40GB hard-drive with 2GB RAM and high-speed contouring capability as standard.

The VMX-SR range of five-axis machining centres is designed with a B-axis swivel head and a horizontal rotary C-axis table to tackle complex, multi-sided parts.

There is a generous amount of space to the left side of the table for completing the final side of a part when all six sides must be machined.

This means a completed part can be removed at the end of every cycle.

One version of the manufacturer's Winmax five-axis control software streamlines set-up, simplifies programming and is compatible with more CAM programs than before.

Swept Surface software reduces programming time by as much as 80 per cent.

Heavy-duty digital servo drives, large ballscrews and substantial linear rails increase machining accuracy and result in excellent surface finish.

The nine tonne, 40-taper VMX60SR features: X-, Y- and Z-axis travels of 1525 x 660 x 610mm; a rotary table with a maximum component weight of 500kg; peak spindle motor power of 36kW; 118Nm torque at 2,900rev/min; and 30m/min rapid traverse in X and Y, 20m/min in Z.

Another new 40-taper, five-axis machine is the VMX42U with integral trunnion table.

It joins a similar trunnion machine but of travelling-column configuration in the Hurco range, the VTXU.

The VMX42U combines reliability and performance with advanced five-axis technology, streamlining the production of multi-faceted, complex parts.

The powerful Winmax software includes five-sided conversational programming and an impressive smoothing algorithm that produces a superb surface finish, minimising the need for hand-polishing of moulds.

With X,Y and Z travels of 1,067 x 610 x 520mm, the machine can accommodate workpieces weighing up to 250kg.

Two spindle options are 12,000 and 15,000rev/min, peak power being 24kW.

Rapid feeds are 35m/min in X and Y; 30m/min in Z.

Hurco has upgraded its compact-footprint VM range of vertical machining centres.

Improvements include an additional 50mm to the Y- and Z-axis and a 10,000rev/min spindle as standard.

Designated VM10, VM20 and VM30, the new, three-axis models also have a faster, electronic 20-station swing-arm toolchanger to minimise non-cutting time and further improve productivity and reliability.

Rapid traverses are now 24m/min in all axes.

The two smaller models, VM10 and VM20, will be demonstrated at Mach together with a 'U' version of the former, complete with appropriate Winmax software to provide five-axis machining capability using the rotary table / trunnion configuration.

Travels are 660 x 406 x 508mm on the VM10 and 1016 x 508 x 508mm on the VM20.

They translate into an increase in working envelope of around one quarter, compared with the previous models.

It is claimed that these machines offer the best combination of minimum footprint and maximum capacity currently available.

The only Hurco machining centre at this year's exhibition that appeared at Mach 2008 will be the VMX24t with 610 x 508 x 610mm axis travels and twin-screen Ultimax control system.

It is the smallest in a range of seven VMX models.

These machines feature working volumes that are 50 per cent larger on average than competitor models; and Y-axis travels that are longer than the industry standard for machines with a similar X-axis.

The new TMX8 production lathe incorporates Hurco's simple conversational programming capability.

Compared with previous models in Hurco's lathe range, the new machine has increased travels, giving a maximum cutting diameter of 356mm and a cutting length of up to 533mm.

Faster acceleration and deceleration have been provided to minimise idle time.

An increase in main spindle power to 27kW allows 307Nm of torque to be generated at 833rev/min.

Live cutters with 7kW peak power and capable of 5,000rev/min may be fitted in each of the 12 VDI tool positions in the servo-driven turret.

Station-to-station turret index time is 0.3 sec.

An installed weight of five tonnes gives sufficient rigidity to enable Hurco to quote a positioning accuracy of +/- five microns and repeatability of half that figure.

The easy-to-program Winmax control allows simple conversational commands to be used, which together with the clear graphical display of the component and toolpath as it is programmed, makes the machine an attractive proposition for small-volume and one-off manufacture.

The machine is also available in a Y-axis version (TMX8MY) and with an optional, programmable counter-spindle with 0.001 degree C-axis control (TMX8MYS).

Alternatively, a programmable tailstock can be fitted.

The 10in-chuck TMM10 will make an appearance at Mach 2010.

In addition to having standard two-axis turning capability, the machine can also incorporate live cutters in each of the 12 VDI tool positions.

Driven tool power and speed are up to 7kW (peak) and 5,000rev/min respectively to enable milling operations and off-centre drilling on turned parts.

The machine is well specified, but the main feature is the easy-to-program Winmax lathe control.

Its simple conversational commands together with the clear graphical display of the component and toolpath as they are programmed make the machine an attractive proposition for small-volume and one-off manufacture.

The smaller capacity TM6 lathe without driven tooling will also be on the stand.

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