^{Imagine the ability to remove gear components from an indexing rotary device so that it requires no gearboxes or worm gear drives – eliminating all of the problems that could go wrong on a mechanical assembly while drastically improving it’s performance.}

^{Hardinge introduces Direct-Drive, Super-Precision® technology to provide unique Quick-Change Rotary Systems™ with enhanced features. The high-tech, yet simplified design with Super-Precision® positioning and repeatability will increase productivity and accuracy.}

^{Hardinge’s new Direct-Drive, Quick-Change Rotary Systems incorporate a direct-drive, rare-earth permanent magnet torque motor with no mechanical gearing. This frameless motor wraps around the spindle, eliminating the need for a separate motor extension resulting in a much smaller footprint. Liquid-cooling wraps around the motor stator housing to increase continuous torque output by 38% to 100% when utilized for rigorous duty cycles and heavy cutting. Thermal isolation mounting arms and a cast iron base enable uniform heat dissipation, which holds the centerline of the spindle constant in the Super-Precision® A2-5 spindle mount design. The ± .077 arc/sec resolution, ± 2.19 arc/sec accuracy encoder is mounted directly on the spindle to ensure extremely accurate positioning.}

^{The direct-drive design eliminates backlash, which results in high servo stiffness and extremely rapid and accurate bidirectional response and exceptional repeatability of .01 arc/sec. When the command is given to stop at a certain angular location – it absolutely stops at that precise location with no overshoot and will repeat exactly.}

^{When operated as an integrated axis on a high speed VMC utilizing look-ahead programming, the Hardinge Direct Drive system’s combination of zero backlash, high servo gain, and rapid acceleration will enable the user to operate at the maximum capability of the machine.}

^{Hardinge’s new direct-drive systems require little maintenance and have fewer parts to wear than traditional gear-driven systems. A rugged cross roller bearing is used for high-moment loads with super rigidity. The bearing is permanently lubricated, and there are no brushes to wear or to create dust, providing a smooth, quiet operation and a life, which is expected to outlast the host machine. The inherent high servo stiffness eliminates the need for a clamp for most applications, however a spindle clamp/brake is available if necessary for your particular application. Furthermore, accuracy of the Direct Drive System will remain constant over time.}

^{Hardinge is introducing two new systems. Like Hardinge’s existing gear-driven systems, both direct-drive models are designed with a drawbar actuator to accept multiple workholding devices providing the most flexible systems on the market. Various diameter faceplates, collets, step chucks, power chucks, or scroll chucks can be utilized and quickly changed.}

^{The A2-5, 16C High-Torque Direct-Drive Rotary System is ideal for difficult, high-precision machining or jig grinding applications requiring 4- or 5-axis interpolated machining or for parts that require extremely accurate angular positioning. Because it has no gears or mechanical elements, it is a workhorse for applications which require limited rotational movement but that repeat for long periods of time. The zero backlash permits bi-directional movement, without loss of time used to compensate for position over-travel, which means more time in cut. A pneumatic collet closer is equipped with a dual cylinder resulting in 4560-pound (2068kg) of adjustable draw bar pull. A 7" (177.8mm) spindle centerline height will accommodate a large diameter face plate. The rare earth, permanent magnet, torque motor has a maximum torque of 195 ft-lb / 264.4 Nm, continuous air-cooled torque of 63 ft-lb / 85.4 Nm, and continuous water-cooled torque of 87 ft-lb / 117.9 Nm. The accuracy of this system will enable very impressive process capabilities, which yield even more impressive bottom line performance.}

^{The A2-4, 5C High-Speed Direct-Drive Rotary System is designed to position extremely fast with a high degree of accuracy and without backlash. An astonishing 3,600 degrees-per-second indexing speed combined with the gearless, direct-drive features make this indexer ideal for drill & tap, laser processing, and intricate or high-speed milling applications. The design provides a solution to the problem found with high-speed milling machines having to wait for the rotary axis to position. A 4" (101.6mm) spindle centerline height and a fail-safe, through-hole collet closer is standard. The rare earth, permanent magnet torque motor has a maximum torque of 28-56 ft-lb / 38-76 Nm, continuous air-cooled torque of 3.8-7.6 ft-lb / 5.2-10.4 Nm, and continuous water-cooled torque of 7.5-15.0 ft-lb / 10.2-20.4 Nm, depending on the motor style required. The High Speed system is offered as both an integrated 4th axis or as a standalone indexer driven by Hardinge’s all-digital, user-friendly servo control.}

^{Hardinge’s A2-4 (5C) and A2-5 (16C) spindle nose designs allow quick change between collets, expanding collets, step chucks, power chucks and face plates. Common spindle tooling can be shared between the Hardinge Quick-Change Rotary system(s) and a lathe. The gripping is in the spindle, closest to the spindle bearings, unlike surface-mounted adapters used on traditional rotary tables. Multiple workholding options provide alternate gripping methods, will reduce setup time and increase precision capabilities.}

^{All Hardinge Rotary Systems and new trunnion products are manufactured to strict specifications in Elmira, New York. For more information call 800-510-3161, fax 607-734-3886, email info@hardingetooling.com or visit www.hardinge.com.}