Major Machine Tool Investment: Specialized 5 axis mill doubles production capacity for companys robot track product lines

Güdel US announced it has completed a $2.5

million investment for a specialized 5 axis mill
now in production at the companys Ann Arbor
manufacturing campus. Dubbed the LFM-3,
the tool was designed and developed by Güdel
Switzerland, and is optimized for production of
the companys robot TrackMotion foor mounted
and overhead tracks, and 2-6 axis gantry robots.
"Güdel is committed to local manufacturing in key
markets, and the growth of our North American
business drove this investment" noted Joe
Campbell, vice president sales & marketing and
head of the products business. "Our customers
demand the highest quality and shortest lead
times, and the LFM will help us deliver on both
counts as we continue to grow our business."
The LFM is one of the biggest 5 axis machine
tools in the state of Michigan, and is optimized
for milling, drilling, reaming, boring and tapping
processes. With a 16 meter bed, the LFM can
machine 5 sides of a part up to 14.5 meters long.
It features a #50 taper mill head, a 5,000 rpm
spindle, and a 30 position tool changer. Controls
are Heidenhein, model TNC 630 CNC.
The LFM-3 is the 3rd of 4 such machines
developed and built by Güdel. Units 1 and 2
are in production at Güdel headquarters in
Langenthal, Switzerland. Unit 4 is being installed
at Güdel China.