Precision mold & die, Automotive, Aerospace, Medical and General Applications
2008-08-25

Bridgeport (Elmira, NY), a member of The Hardinge Group, is expanding its spectrum of machining centers by introducing the Bridgeport-designed and -built GX 600, GX 800 and GX 1000 VMCs. Positioned in the center of the company's machining center portfolio (above the XV-Series and below the XR-Series), these Performance-focused machines offer mold and die manufacturers, as well as precision engineers in the automotive, aerospace, medical and general engineering sectors optimum capability and functionality in a compact design. The all-new GX-Series are based on the well-known Bridgeport P3-Series VMC platform with many performance upgrades to meet the increased demands of the metalworking community. These rigid machines feature a stiff and thermally-stable spindle, a rigid C-frame fixed column design, and fixed pre-tensioned double-nut ballscrews on all axes. The unique heavy-duty linear guide and truck configuration provides added stiffness, damping and surface contact area. Each machine is configured with three guideways and five guide trucks on the X-axis and Y-axis; two guideways and six guide trucks on the Z-axis. The 24-tool side-mount/swing-arm automatic tool changer (ATC) features random access, bidirectional indexing and 2.5 sec tool-to-tool change time. GX-Series machine specifications include: •Travels (X/Y/Z): •GX 600 — 23.62 in x 21.25 in x 21.25 in (600 mm x 540 mm x 540 mm) •GX 800 — 31.50 in x 21.25 in x 21.25 in (800 mm x 540 mm x 540 mm) •GX 1000 — 40.16 in x 21.25 in x 21.25 in (1020 mm x 540 mm x 540 mm) •Spindle horsepower: 34.8 hp (26 kW) •Spindle speeds: 10,000 rpm (12,000 rpm option) •Table capacity (X/Y): •GX 600 — 29.5 in x 21.25 in (750 mm x 540 mm) •GX 800 — 36.4 in x 21.25 in (925 mm x 540 mm) •GX 1000 — 44.0 in x 21.25 in (1120 mm x 540mm) •Table weight capacity: 1,760 lb (800 kg) •24-Tool ATC (Automatic Tool Changer) •Rigid, cast iron C-frame construction •Bridgeport/Fanuc i-Series GX control