Methods Machine Tools Partners with Niigata

Methods Machine Tools Inc. has announced it has entered into an agreement to represent Niigata Machine Techno USA Inc. throughout the US, Canada and Mexico. Niigata machines have a 25-year design life, are hand finished to be "naturally accurate" and are suited for large to oversize component machining.

The new Niigata N7 model HMC has a stationary and ultra-rigid “box-in-box” column design, providing optimum cutting performance over the entire Y-axis stroke. The machine is equipped with the new 15" color LCD screen, new slant design spindle snout to facilitate use of shorter tools, a 3-point leveling base and ultra-rigid/high load roller guideway system for high-speed productivity. A field-expandable ATC magazine and pallet system accommodates work load increases, enabling lights-out or minimally attended machining.

The HN-S series has the largest work envelope in its class (featuring a new HN800-S bar), providing increased flexibility, productivity and accuracy. A high rapid traverse rate and long axes strokes results in faster cut and non-cut times. A new hybrid guideway system has a large, ultra-rigid roller guide block on X and Z axes to optimize heavy-duty machining. The Y-axis has a hardened and ground box-way system to provide vibration dampening at the tool point, increasing accuracy and tool life.

For heavy-duty/low-frequency machining, the box-way HN, HN V guideway and HN DII series feature super-high torque spindles and up to 126" maximum work swing diameter. High stiffness, geared head spindles are ideal for titanium, Inconel and hastelloy. Niigata HN-5X five-axis series HMC's offer a highly rigid, heavy-duty box-way design solution for five-axis, high precision machining of complex parts found in a broad range of industries such as aerospace, automotive, power generation, die and mold, and semiconductor. The five-axis models offer low frequency machining of challenging materials such as high nickel alloys.

The extremely versatile, high rigidity HN-FC facing center series, provide heavy-duty W-axis and U-axis spindles for long tool, long reach and large stationary part turning operations. The HN-BAR and HN-S-BAR series configurations provide unique, application driven, 5.12" diameter bar/quill spindles in a true machining center format.

The Niigata SPN series features a double box design and offers innovative T-shaped casting and a stationary column for accurate, consistent machining, including the SPN901—an 800 mm pallet workhorse for aerospace applications. Niigata solutions also include precise, versatile horizontal boring mills for extra-large parts.