Machine Like Hyundai

Although Hyundai Motors is internationally known for its vehicle design chops, particularly after launching the “Fluidic Sculpture” design language, it is also well known for its powertrain manufacturing prowess.

So it may be of particular interest to powertrain manufacturing engineers to know that some of the machines that Hyundai uses in its powertrain plants are available via Hyundai WIA Machine America Corp. (hyundai-wiamachine.com), which is a developer and manufacturer of advanced machine tools.

Case in point: the FD series of CNC vertical machining centers, specifically engineered for high-production applications (e.g., powertrain). These are dual-pallet machines (pallet change time: 6 seconds) that feature a traveling column design (i.e., the table and workpiece remain stationary during machining, so there are uniform loads to the guideways, ballscrews, and spindle motor, which mean more precise machining).

Because productivity is the name of the game in power-train, there are several aspects of the FD series— F410D (travels: 22.4-in. X, 16-in. Y, 23-in. Z), F500D (travels: 23.6-in.  X, 18-in. Y, 22.4-in. Z) and the F600D (travels: 31.5-in. X, 23.6-in. Y, 23.6-in. Z)—that contribute to this.  There are linear guideways in all three axes, which means, for example, the F410D has rapids of 36 m/min in X and Y and 30 m/min in Z.  There is a standard 10,000-rpm spindle (12,000 rpm optional). There is a standard 24-tool (30 optional) side-mount swing-arm toolchanger that provides a 1.6-second tool-to-tool change on the F410D and 2.4-seconds for the F600D. Through-spindle coolant is standard. Control is provided by either a Fanuc i-Series or a Siemens 825D.