ÉireComposites recently installed a CMS Ares 5-axis CNC machine and it is currently up and running.
CMS Ares is a 5 axis CNC with high speed gantry machining centre with a movable bridge design which allows the component part to remain fixed while the spindle makes all the 5-axis movements. With a machining area capacity bed of 6m x 2.6m, and 1.2m vertical, it will be used to machine large tooling patterns for current R & D projects such as Seaboat, Powderblade and others.
Equipped with Hypermill CAD/CAM software, with full simulation capability from Open Mind Technology, this machine gives ÉireComposites the ability to carry out any kind of milling, aperture machining, contouring, finishing, drilling and 3-dimensional machining using up to 5 simultaneously interpolated axes. As the machine is designed specifically for high speed machining of composite parts, it gives the company the opportunity to offer this as an additional service to the aerospace and wind energy sectors.
One initial project for machining is the JEC Award winning Bua Saddle. Utilizing the capabilities of the 5-axis CNC ÉireComposites has successfully machined the first Bua saddles this week which will be continuously machined as an ongoing production part. This is a complex composite part which can be seen below.
