MACHINING CENTERS FOR FABRICATORS
CNC Machining Centers are the shop workhorse that can handle some of the most challenging parts faster. Fab shops with CNC machines are more technically capable than others and can produce at a higher volume in a shorter period.
Many fab shops are looking to invest in CNC machines to improve their speed, production rate, and accuracy. However, most machining centers currently on the market are not equipped to handle the large parts produced by many of these businesses.
When bed size matters, the FlexCNC Vertical Machining Center is ahead of the pack. These CNC machines are designed with fabricators in mind because they offer unique features not traditionally found in most standard machining centers.
The FlexCNC ranges from 10 to 50 feet and features an open bed design, making loading and unloading a breeze. Operators can safely and efficiently swap parts with a forklift or an overhead crane. This process in other closed-style machining centers is often cumbersome and dangerous when loading large and heavy profiles.
Another unique feature of the FlexCNC is the monoblock welded steel frame with a stationary T-slot machine bed. Many machining centers include a table that moves underneath a stationary spindle during the machining process. The mobility of the table results in a restriction on the amount of weight the machine can handle. The FlexCNC, however, features a stationary bed where the spindle moves atop the workpiece. This design makes it possible to machine parts of nearly any weight.
The FlexCNC is offered in two styles to fit the needs of the specific application.
C-Series Long Bed CNC
The C-Series is a cantilever-style machine with a long and lean design. With a two-foot wide bed and a length up to 50 feet, this style is excellent for long parts such as pipes, tubes, angle iron, and flat bar.
G-Series Large Bed CNC
The G-Series is a gantry-style machine with a wider bed for greater flexibility. The G-Series has a standard width of 6 feet and a standard length of 20 feet. Custom lengths, however, are available from 10 to 50 feet. This model’s versatility makes it an excellent choice for machining nearly any profile.
THE FLEXIBILITY OF FLEXCNC
Some fab shops may think a FlexCNC is too large for their needs. If a shop is not machining parts large enough to fill the entire bed, they can still use the FlexCNC to its full capacity. For example, if a shop is looking to machine a 9-foot part, they could purchase a 10-foot machine that would fit their needs just fine or expand their capabilities with a 20-foot machining center. A 20-foot machine would allow for extra machining space for additional smaller parts.
The FlexCNC can also act like the pallet changers you find in horizontal machining centers. This is achieved by separating the machine bed into different “zones,” and these zones act as different pallets. The pendulum mode feature allows an operator to swap out parts in one zone while the machine runs in a different zone allowing for increased throughput and zero spindle downtime.
Some fabricators may be hesitant to purchase a CNC machine because they are new to the CNC world. The FlexCNC is easy to learn, and the in-house training program teaches everything they need to know to start machining immediately. Additionally, for those intimidated by programming, FlexCare+ is an on-demand programming service available to all FlexCNC customers. Read more about FlexCare+.
Fabricators need a machine that can handle their large parts. Many existing CNC machines on the market just don’t cut it. These are often enclosed machining centers that are just too small. The flexibility of the FlexCNC allows for more efficient machining for increased throughput and more significant ROI.
See how an investment in FlexCNC can help your shop expand its capabilities and increase its speed, accuracy, and quality of parts. Contact us today for more information.
