The 5C2 quad-spindle indexing system from Hardinge (Elmira, NY) is designed to be a workhorse for small to medium-size parts of all shapes. Each spindle will handle a 50 lb (23 kg) part with an axial thrust of up to 1000 lb (4448 N). The unit sits on a compact base plate measuring just under 23 in (583 mm) long.
High-load, tapered dual roller bearings support the heavy radial and axial loads that allow this system to handle that much thrust on each spindle. A hardened and ground steel worm drive shaft and a hardened and ground steel cross-axis helical gear provide high accuracy with minimal wear. Double eccentrics provide fine gear mesh from the factory and the ability for the customer to perform precise gear wear compensation down the road.
Curved front castings and extended noses provide spindle clearance and optimum tool access. The 5C threaded-nose spindles are 5 in (127 mm) on center and will accept collets, step chucks, expanding collets, manual chucks and fixture plates for gripping round, square, hex and odd-shaped parts without the use of an adapter. Choose from a pneumatic fail-safe collet closer with a through-hole or a high-force closer with adjustable grip force. Individual manual drawbars are also available as a low-cost alternative. All spindles are synchronized for aligned part orientation within .0002 in (.005 mm) and will index at a fast 360 deg per second. Parts that have a length-to-diameter ratio of greater than 3-to-1 are candidates for a tailstock support.
This unit runs with a servo control or via true 4th-axis. The all-digital servo control features a multiple line LCD display. Store up to 50 programs with up to 1000 steps in each program. Infrared sensing capabilities allow upload and download of programs from a Windows-based pocket PC.
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