A five-axis machining centre from Bumotec is now available for precisely this task definition. Starrag has also adapted this machine to meet the high demands of materials that are extremely difficult to machine, such as titanium and nickel-based alloys. The Starrag LX 021 rounds off the LX series, which has been specially designed for the high-precision, efficient, simultaneous five-axis machining of turbine blades. “By using this machine, turbine blade manufacturers can now benefit from solid, high-precision machine technology that Bumotec originally developed for the watch and jewellery industry”, Leitold notes. The machine is generally suitable for machining turbine blades of all kinds up to a finished length of 200 mm. Example products include turbine blades for gas or high-pressure damping turbines.

The option to fit an automatic bar loader unit to the machine is also available. For Günter Leitold, the retaking unit with integrated revolver unit onto which up to three different active clamping elements can be placed is a particular highlight of the machine. He notes that it is this elegant solution that gives users the option of machining from all sides – an essential prerequisite for machining in a single clamping position. What’s more, the Starrag LX 021 not only operates as a stand-alone machine, but can also be integrated into a flexible machining system (FMS) thanks to a positioning station (automatic pallet changer).