Starrag’s Heckert HEC 1600 machining center processes wind turbine workpieces

Starrag has developed the Heckert HEC 1600 machining center, suitable for manufacturing large, heavy workpieces, such as those used in wind turbine production. It can process workpieces with edge lengths of 11 ft. and up to 13 tons in weight.

Users can choose between a horizontal main spindle with integrated extendible NC quill, or a swiveling horizontal/vertical head for five-sided machining.

The NC quill has stepless adjustment up to 30 in. for long travels and the machining of deep-lying form elements. It guides the tool into the gearbox houses to work safely without requiring special tools with excessive lengths. The NC quill also provides a significant surge in machining large gearbox housings, torque support, and planetary gear carriers in large components, the company reports. The quill and its bearing are cooled with a separate cooling unit to provide automatic temperature compensation for thermal influences and thermal stability.