Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of Doosan machine tools in the UK and Ireland, has just launched a new range of 5-axis machines onto the market.

The new, compact DNM 350 5AX, first exhibited by Doosan at the 2011 DIMF Show in May, will be available to UK and Irish manufacturers from July 2011 onwards, and is the second Doosan 5-axis machine tool range to be launched by Mills in the last 18 months – the first being the larger capacity VC 630 5AX – which, is now also available with an integrated workpiece pallet changer.

The arrival of the new DNM 350 5AX machines provide further evidence of Doosan's (and Mills') intentions to increase their share of the multi-axis milling machine tool market – similar to what both companies have already achieved in the turning and turn-mill markets.

The DNM 350 5AX is a flexible and functional 5-axis machine and is designed for full simultaneous 5-axis or 4 + 1 machining. The machine is versatile and can be used for high-accuracy machining, heavy metal removal and fine finishing operations.

Although the machine is classed as an ‘entry level' 5-axis machine its performance is anything but standard.

The machine has a rigid C-frame construction and exhibits excellent vibration and heat dissipation characteristics. Although the machine has a relatively small footprint it has a 350-mm diameter table capable of handling workpieces up to 250kg in weight.

The machine can be supplied with a choice of Fanuc or Heidenhain control is available with a variety of spindle options, with speeds of 12000 or 20000rpm. The machine also features the dual contact 'Big Plus' face and taper configuration for increased rigidity and machining performance.

Axis travels on the machine are 400mm x 665mm x 500mm in X, Y and Z with corresponding traverse rates of 36m/min (X), 36m/min (Y) and 30m/min (Z).

The machine's 5-axis capability is delivered through the use of an A- and C- axis enabling users to machine parts (simultaneous 5-axis or via 4 + 1 operations) by using the DNM 350 5AX's trunnion (+30/-120 degrees of movement) and rotary table configuration (continuous 360 degrees of movement in the C-axis in 0.001 increments).

Rapid rates in the machine's A-axis and C-axis are 20rpm and 30rpm respectively.

The DNM 350 5AX is equipped with a 30, 40 or 60 -position bi-directional ATC (BT 40), and the machine's tool change time (T-T-T) is 1.3 seconds.

Other standard features on the machine include automatic tool measurement (TS27R), and a spindle head cooling system for improved thermal stability.

The machine also includes Doosan's Thermal Compensation Function to reduce the effects of thermal growth, which is critical on a 5 axis machine in order to maintain accuracy.

Machine tool options include coolant through spindle capability and linear scales on the machines X-, Y- and Z-axes.

‘The DNM 350 5AX is a high-performance machine that we believe is a logical and natural progression for those manufacturers looking to make that step up to 5-axis machining.

‘Like all the Doosan machines we sell – the DNM 350 5AX is reliable and competitively-priced, and is supported by Mills' first-class technical support and after-sales services.'