Hurco Winmax Mill Full Version
Lora Ceasor
The ability to import an STL file for stock geometry is a Hurco WinMax feature I'm excited to discuss. Although many people have this feature on their controls, they either aren't aware of it or don't know how to use it. I thought it was worth a quick blog post and video.
Check your Hurco WinMax software version on your CNC control. If your machine has version 09.1.312.19 or higher, or version 10.1.148.35 or higher, you will have the ability to import an STL file for stock geometry.
There are many reasons that the ability to import a solid model into the CNC control to be used to represent stock geometry would be very helpful. The two that immediately come to mind for me are secondary operations and machining castings. For either of these, the simple options of a box or cylinder won't work, so we are forced to use wireframe instead of the more desirable solid or show-all option of the WinMax graphics.
In addition to the CNC Machinist Blog, we put together hurco.com/connect so customers would have all the information they need all in one place. Whether you need a quick refresher on a specific control feature, have a new hire that needs some basic training, or want to know how to stay connected and informed, you'll find it on Hurco Connect!
We have an incredibly experienced and dedicated network of distributors who represent Hurco throughout North America, and we hope Hurco Connect can be used to supplement the assistance they provide their customers. You can find contact information for your distributor at this link: Distributor Locator.
Order intake in monetary value was close to a record high, beaten only just by the exceptional figures posted in 2018. Seventy companies pre-registered to attend the company's open house at its headquarters in High Wycombe in early December (6th and 7th) and a total of 104 people were welcomed over the two days, generating 650,000 of sales.
Attendance on the Hurco stand at MACH in April was also an encouraging 25% up on the previous show. The event marked the launch of the company's new lathes with driven tools, with 8-inch chuck model TMX8MYSi on the stand. The 10-inch chuck version was available for public inspection at the open house for the first time.
On the prismatic metalcutting side of the business, a Plus version of the popular VM30i was exhibited. The 1,270 x 508 x 508mm capacity machine has been enhanced with an upgrade to a twin-screen WinMax control, a 12,000rpm / 15kW spindle, 20 bar coolant through the spindle, LCD remote jog and a swarf auger. Additionally, Hurco's range of large, dual-column, bridge-type machining centres in 5-axis configuration has now been expanded to four models. Both the DCX32 and DCX42 are now available with a high-speed, 18,000 rpm, HSK-A63 spindle or a high-torque HSK-A100 version.
As far as automated loading of components is concerned, Mr Waghorn said that a lot of interest is being shown in the company's ProCobot collaborative robots. The pick and place instructions to the cobot are sent from an app running directly in the machine's twin-screen WinMax control, making plug and play for automation a reality.
Apart from selling its own ranges of machining and turning centres, Hurco is sole agent in the UK and Ireland for German-built Roeders super-high-precision machining centres, two-thirds of those installed being equipped with automation. Users say that the mirror finish achieved when milling moulds and dies eliminates the need for any hand finishing, resulting in considerable labour cost savings. Moreover, jig grinding can be completed on the same machine platform.
Mr Waghorn added: "The outlook for 2023 is good. It is helped by the raised level of activity in the aerospace and oil & gas sectors. Both are now booming, after having been in the doldrums for an extended period, while motorsport is perennially active."
7fc3f7cf58