Ultra-high torque DD motors provide motion control in A- and C-axes. The A-axis (tilt axis) is controlled by DD motors at each end of the trunnion. This design eliminates twist that often occurs during heavy cutting and machining away from the center of rotation. The trunnion assembly runs parallel to the X-axis to eliminate “cradle deflection” that traditionally occurs during linear axis acceleration.

The D500 can be delivered in a stand-alone configuration or with an Automatic Pallet Changer (APC). A machine can easily be upgraded to an APC configuration at installation or later. Full-scale automation can be upgraded as well, while applying the popular MMC2 pallet system to the machine. The D500 can even be integrated with a51 horizontal machining centers for ultimate flexibility.

The D500 is outfitted with the Makino Professional 6 control providing a stable, secure platform with reliable performance on the NC side while providing an operator-friendly graphical user interface (GUI). This latest-generation machine tool control offers large color touch-sensitive, on-screen, menu-driven applications. Icons provide “hot links” and quick access to critical information that may be required by the operator. In addition, the new control platform provides all of the functions typical of a PC (cut, paste, copy, find, replace, etc.) that are rarely available on a machine tool control. Advanced data management technology and Makino’s proprietary, next generation Super Geometric Intelligence (SGI.5) servo control deliver the lowest cycle times achievable by reducing machining cycle times on dies, complex cavities and cores by as much as 40 percent when compared to most other control technologies.