Hillary Machinery supplies TRAK tool room vertical machining centers with ProtoTRAK RMX CNC controls for high-mix, low-volume machining, prototypes, repair work and short-run production. TRAK TMC machines combine the capability of a fully enclosed 3-axis vertical machining center with Tool room Ops and Production Ops for flexible operator-driven and programmed CNC machining.
Tool room vertical machining centers combine the capabilities of a fully enclosed CNC machining center with the flexibility and operator-friendly programming required for high-mix, low-volume manufacturing.
Hillary Machinery offers TRAK TMC vertical machining centers with ProtoTRAK RMX CNC controls for manufacturers, machine shops, maintenance departments, tool rooms and educational facilities requiring flexible CNC machining without the complexity associated with conventional production-oriented CNC programming.
A tool room vertical machining center is a CNC milling machine designed to bridge the gap between a traditional tool room mill and a conventional production VMC.
TRAK TMC machines provide a fully enclosed machining environment, automatic tool changing and 3-axis CNC capability while retaining the operator-focused programming and machining flexibility associated with ProtoTRAK tool room machines.
Hillary Machinery offers the TRAK TMC Series across a range of work envelopes for tool room and low-volume production applications.
Current TRAK tool room vertical machining center models include:
TRAK tool room machining centers feature the ProtoTRAK RMX CNC, designed to make CNC programming practical for machinists working directly at the machine.
The conversational interface uses prompted inputs and plain-language programming rather than requiring the operator to manually create conventional G-code for routine machining operations.
This can be particularly valuable in environments where part quantities are low, jobs change frequently and minimizing programming and setup time is more important than optimizing a machine around one repetitive production job.
A major advantage of the TRAK TMC platform is the ability to operate the machine differently depending on the job.
Tool Room Ops provides the operator-focused experience associated with TRAK tool room machines. Depending on machine configuration, machinists can transition between manual-style operations, DRO-assisted machining and CNC-controlled operations.
Production Ops allows the TMC to operate as a fully featured 3-axis vertical machining center for programmed low-volume production.
This dual-purpose approach allows one machine to handle one-off work, prototypes and repair parts while also running repeat CNC production jobs.
Unlike a conventional manual or tool room mill, TRAK TMC machines incorporate an automatic tool changer so multiple cutting tools can be used within a programmed machining cycle without requiring the operator to manually change tools between operations.
Current TMC models feature a 16-station automatic tool changer, providing true machining-center functionality for milling, drilling, tapping and related CNC operations.
The TRAK TMC lineup provides progressively larger work envelopes while retaining the same basic tool room machining philosophy.
For example, the TRAK TMC7 provides 30 inches of X-axis travel, while the larger TMC10, TMC12 and TMC14 extend available X-axis travel for progressively larger workpieces and fixture arrangements.
Larger TMC models allow manufacturers to retain ProtoTRAK's tool room-oriented programming environment while machining substantially larger components.
The TRAK VMC2 provides a compact machining-center solution for smaller workpieces and applications where floor space is limited.
The VMC2 combines ProtoTRAK RMX CNC with a compact 3-axis machining-center platform, automatic tool changing and both Tool Room and Production operating modes.
A tool room CNC mill, such as a TRAK DPM bed mill or K3 knee mill, provides exceptional operator access and manual/CNC flexibility.
A tool room vertical machining center adds a fully enclosed machining environment and automatic tool changing, making it better suited for jobs requiring longer unattended CNC cycles, higher spindle speeds, coolant containment and multiple tools.
A conventional production vertical machining center is optimized primarily around programmed CNC production, cycle time and repetitive manufacturing.
A TRAK tool room vertical machining center places additional emphasis on operator interaction, conversational programming, rapid setup and efficient machining of small quantities and frequently changing jobs.
Manufacturers producing higher volumes or repetitive production parts should also compare Hillary Machinery's production vertical machining centers.
Compare Production Vertical Machining Centers
TRAK's tool room machining concept gives machinists flexibility in how a part is produced. Depending on the machine and operating mode, the operator can use manual-style machining techniques, CNC-controlled moves or complete 3-axis CNC programs.
This flexibility can be particularly valuable when producing prototypes, repair components and one-off parts where creating a conventional production CNC program may take longer than machining the component itself.
TRAK tool room VMCs are well suited for applications including:
Tool room machining centers can be particularly valuable for maintenance and repair departments where replacement parts may be needed quickly and production quantities are often extremely small.
ProtoTRAK conversational programming allows machinists to create CNC operations directly at the machine without requiring a separate programming department for routine work.
Engineering and R&D departments frequently machine prototypes and development components that change from one revision to the next.
A tool room VMC provides CNC accuracy and repeatability while allowing programs and machining operations to be modified quickly as component designs evolve.
TRAK tool room machining centers can also provide a useful platform for technical education because students and operators can learn machining fundamentals while progressing from operator-controlled machining to complete CNC programs.
This makes the machine useful for technical schools, colleges, universities, apprenticeship programs and in-house CNC training.
Selecting the appropriate tool room vertical machining center should begin with the workpiece and expected mix of jobs. Hillary Machinery can help evaluate:
A tool room vertical machining center combines the enclosure, automatic tool changing and 3-axis capability of a conventional VMC with an operator-friendly CNC designed for one-off, prototype and low-volume work.
ProtoTRAK RMX is TRAK's CNC control designed around conversational, machinist-friendly programming for tool room and low-volume CNC machining.
Yes. In Production Ops, TRAK TMC machines operate as full 3-axis vertical machining centers for programmed CNC production.
TRAK's Tool Room Ops provides operator-oriented machining capability, and applicable TMC configurations can be equipped with electronic handwheels for a more familiar manual-machine operating experience.
A TRAK DPM is an open tool room bed mill emphasizing direct operator access and manual/CNC flexibility. A TRAK TMC adds a full enclosure and automatic tool changer, providing greater machining-center functionality while retaining ProtoTRAK's tool room-oriented operation.
A tool room VMC is particularly attractive when jobs change frequently, quantities are low and programming and setup time are major considerations. A conventional production VMC may be preferable when repeatedly producing larger quantities of the same or similar components.
Hillary Machinery can help evaluate your workpiece size, job quantities, programming requirements, operator workflow and production needs to identify the appropriate TRAK TMC or compact VMC configuration.
View Available TRAK Tool Room Vertical Machining Centers or contact Hillary Machinery to discuss your machining application.
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