Burkhardt+Weber BW300

In a moving-column (gantry) architecture, the workpiece is fixed to a floor-mounted table or directly to the factory floor, and the milling head moves in all three axes (X, Y, Z) relative to the stationary workpiece. This contrasts with conventional HMCs where the table moves in X and Z while the spindle moves in Y. Fixed-table architecture eliminates table size and weight limits — any workpiece that fits within the machine's travel envelope can be machined regardless of weight. The limitation is that the machine's column and beam structures must have high mass and rigidity to maintain positioning accuracy over 3,000 mm of travel.

A 5-axis universal milling head replaces the standard fixed-angle spindle with a tilting/rotating spindle unit that provides two additional rotary axes (typically A and C). This enables the cutting tool to approach any surface from any angle within the head's range (typically ±90 degrees in A, 360 degrees in C) without repositioning the workpiece. Universal heads for large machines use mechanical epicyclic gear drives (fork-type heads) or direct-drive motors (DD heads). For large aerospace structures with complex contoured surfaces — wing skin pockets, rib web pockets, complex fastener hole patterns on curved surfaces — the 5-axis universal head dramatically reduces the number of workpiece repositioning setups required.

Burkhardt+Weber machines are evaluated for aerospace applications through the prime contractor's machine qualification process, which typically includes: dimensional verification of machine accuracy using laser measurement systems per VDI 3441 or ISO 230-1; process qualification cutting tests on representative aerospace material (titanium, Inconel, aluminum); review of machine documentation including calibration records and Siemens 840D sl control verification; and an on-site demonstration of the machine's long-travel positioning accuracy. Burkhardt+Weber supports this qualification process with their application engineering team and provides the required documentation packages for AS9100 and NADCAP aerospace process qualification.

For titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) machining on the BW300, 70–80 bar through-spindle coolant is recommended with a minimum flow rate of 15 L/min at the tool tip. High-pressure TSC is critical for titanium: it breaks the chip at the cutting zone (preventing chip re-cutting), cools the tool (extending carbide tool life), and flushes chips from deep pockets and internal passages. The BW300 is supplied with 80 bar TSC standard. For extremely demanding titanium cuts, higher pressure (up to 100 bar) can be evaluated with Burkhardt+Weber applications engineering and appropriate sealed spindle specifications.

A BW300 installation typically requires 4–8 weeks from machine delivery to production ready, depending on facility preparation status. The sequence is: foundation inspection and approval; machine rigging and assembly (the machine ships in sections requiring on-site assembly); electrical and coolant utility connection; geometric alignment and calibration using precision laser measurement; control tuning and spindle certification; and customer acceptance testing. Burkhardt+Weber service engineers are on-site for the full installation and commissioning period. Foundation and utility work (reinforced concrete pit, electrical, coolant drainage, compressed air) must be completed before machine delivery — Burkhardt+Weber provides foundation specification drawings at order time.