The CNC drilling machine with single spindle features automatic beam layout and drilling. Ficep first introduced this movable drill spindle concept in the 80’s and has engineered different enhanced version over the years.
The operator loads multiple section sizes and shapes without concern for their lineal position on the Excalibur 12 material support table. It is not necessary to clamp the parts to the table as the Excalibur 12 single spindle drilling assembly contains robust clamping of up to 5 tons to secure each section located in the same area as the programmed hole to be drilled.
The Excalibur 12 features sub-axis spindle positioning to drill typical hole patterns without the need to unclamp, reposition the drill assembly and then re-clamp the section for the next hole in a different lineal position.
This feature also enables layout scribing and milling functions as just the spindle is positioned in multiple axes simultaneously to accomplish these task.
At the start of the CNC program a non-contact probe finds the leading end of the first section on the table and proceeds to process the section as programmed. Once the required operations are processed on the first section the drill assembly advances and locates the leading end of the second section and proceeds as programmed. This process continues to address the requirements on all the numerous parts that have been loaded on the table without any additional operator involvement.
The Excalibur is complete with a high performance “Direct Drive” spindle and automatic tool changer to address not just drilling but also scribing, milling, countersinking and tapping.
