EC-400 Horizontal Machining Center

September 18, 2018
EC-400 Horizontal Machining Center

The new EC-400 horizontal machining center from Haas Automation Inc. is faster, more rigid, has a larger work cube and offers more tool capacity than its predecessor. When equipped with the available integrated, 6-station pallet pool and 100+1 side-mount toolchanger, the new EC-400 brings true “lights out” machining capability to small- and medium-sized manufacturers and production shops.

Designed for high-volume production and unattended operation, the EC-400 features 22" x 25" x 22" (559 x 635 x 559 mm) travels, and comes equipped with a twin pallet changer with 400 mm pallets, full 4th-axis pallet indexing, and an 8100-rpm inline direct-drive spindle. Other standard features include a 30+1 tool side-mount toolchanger, 1400 ipm (35.6 m/min) rapids, 1 GB of program memory, and built-in Ethernet and USB connectivity. To remove chips from the enclosure quickly and efficiently, the EC-400 has a high-volume coolant system and belt-type chip conveyor.

For added performance, optional high-speed spindles are available up to 15,000 rpm. The Haas-built spindles are powered by a 30-hp vector drive, and feature an inline, direct-drive system that couples the spindle directly to the motor to reduce heat, increase power transmission, and provide excellent surface finishes. For extended part runs and “lights out” operation, tool capacity can be expanded with optional 50+1 or 100+1 tool side-mount toolchangers.

The EC-400’s available 6-station pallet pool is suitable for high-volume production runs, or high-mix/low-volume machining. The pallets can be scheduled individually according to priority and sequencing requirements, allowing high-priority parts to be machined first or staged more often. Completed pallets are returned automatically to the holding location, or can be sequenced to a protected operator station for immediate unloading and reloading. The pallet pool can be ordered with the machine, or is available for field installation at a later time on machines equipped with a 50+1 or 100+1 side-mount toolchanger.

Related Glossary Terms

  • coolant

    coolant

    Fluid that reduces temperature buildup at the tool/workpiece interface during machining. Normally takes the form of a liquid such as soluble or chemical mixtures (semisynthetic, synthetic) but can be pressurized air or other gas. Because of water’s ability to absorb great quantities of heat, it is widely used as a coolant and vehicle for various cutting compounds, with the water-to-compound ratio varying with the machining task. See cutting fluid; semisynthetic cutting fluid; soluble-oil cutting fluid; synthetic cutting fluid.

  • inches per minute ( ipm)

    inches per minute ( ipm)

    Value that refers to how far the workpiece or cutter advances linearly in 1 minute, defined as: ipm = ipt 5 number of effective teeth 5 rpm. Also known as the table feed or machine feed.

  • machining center

    machining center

    CNC machine tool capable of drilling, reaming, tapping, milling and boring. Normally comes with an automatic toolchanger. See automatic toolchanger.

  • toolchanger

    toolchanger

    Carriage or drum attached to a machining center that holds tools until needed; when a tool is needed, the toolchanger inserts the tool into the machine spindle. See automatic toolchanger.