The Dugard Eagle range of machines will be further expanded at MACH 2008 with the launch of a totally new series of high speed bridge-type vertical machining centres (VMC) to be represented by the XP1600 on the C Dugard stand at the exhibition.

The Dugard Eagle XP1600 has a table size of 1.9 m by 1.3 m with axis strokes of 1,600 mm in X, 1,300 mm in Y and 700 mm in Z and is a heavyweight machine at some 22 tonnes.  The table is driven by large diameter pre-tensioned ballscrew and is supported by roller linear guideways with eight blocks to effectively spread the load to the T-shaped Meehanite cast base. This base is also heavily ribbed in order to fully support loads up to eight tonnes.

A heavy column structure with cross rail integrated into the bed casting maximises stability and maintains high levels of geometric precision under interrupted type milling applications and heavy duty drilling from solid.  Linear scales can also be specified for exact positioning as an option to the standard encoders.

In typical C Dugard specification line up, the Eagle XP1600 can be tailored to meet user requirements with three spindle options: direct drive, built-in or as a high torque geared unit.  The direct drive spindle provides a choice of speeds, 6,000, 10,000 or 15,000 revs/min powered by 15 kW, 26 kW and 38 kW motors respectively.

The built-in IBAG low noise, high accuracy spindle units provide speeds of 12,000, 16,000, 20,000 or high speed 24,000 revs/min and the gear-type spindle for heavy duty, high torque milling, can be specified with speeds of 6,000 or 10,000 revs/min.  This gear-type spindle arrangement has a 30 kW drive able to deliver 357 Nm of torque through its heavier duty, NBT 50 taper.  Axis rapid traverse rates are 30 m/min with an acceleration of 0.5G.