December 19, 2015 - Güdel completed a $2.5 million investment for a specialized 5 axis mill now in production at the company’s Ann Arbor manufacturing campus. Dubbed the LFM-3, the tool was designed and developed by Güdel Switzerland, and is optimized for production of the company’s 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.
