Two of the five vertical machines being displayed by Hartford incorporate technological features that represent significant advances for the Taiwan-based vertical machining centre manufacturer, according to exclusive UK and Ireland distributor, T W Ward CNC Machinery (Ward CNC).

The TGV-1612 will be shown with the latest (fourth) version of Hartford's world renowned Hartrol Plus control technology, and the S-Plus Production Center will be enhanced by Robocell robot handling.

With a table of 1,800 mm by 1,300 mm able to accommodate loads of 4,000 kgs, the gantry-type TGV-1612 has X, Y and Z axis travels of 1,600 mm, 1,200 mm and 700 mm, respectively, plus 30 m/min rapid traverse rates.

The machine's new Hartrol Plus system now includes Smartcenter functionality and multiple Apps, all designed to improve operation – including a manufacturing executive system that allows production status monitoring via portable devices – to complement the software's established i-Diagnosis, i-Compensation, i-Balance and i-Protection functionality.

Robocell automation - Hartford's latest demonstration of its continuing adoption of Industry 4.0 initiatives – will be shown on the S-Plus Production Center. The S-Plus 10 model, for example, has a working surface of 1,150 mm by 520 mm for loads up to 700 kgs, and its X, Y and Z axes (of 1,020 mm, 520 mm and 550 mm, respectively) are complemented by rapids of 30 m/min (X and Y) and 24 m/min in Z.

These capabilities, and those offered by the standard 24-tool ATC (optionally 30-tool), are further enhanced by the use of Robocell automatic parts handling that permits unmanned, lights-out working.

Three other machines will be on the stand – the 5A65E and LG-1000 plus the five-axis 5BC that is specifically targeted at aerospace components. This has a working surface of 4,000 mm by 1,800 mm for 12,000 kgs loads and its travels in X, Y and Z of 4,000 mm, 2,900 mm and 1,000 mm, respectively, are complemented by rapid traverse rates of 20, 18 and 16 m/min in X, Y and Z, respectively.