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Machine Manual Services
POB 2
Grovespring, MO 65662
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Hardinge AHC
Hardinge
Enthusiast’s Group
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Pictured is the Hardinge AHC with the
optional Lipe Bar Feed
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The Super Precision™ That
Hardinge Produced, and with all the Manufacturing going on in the 1970's,
Quickly led Hardinge to the Number one spot in the accuracy line. Price
seemed to be no option. The work had to be done with the exactness
required by vendor’s customers. It was not uncommon, even for a
relatively small shop to have a line up of several Super
Precision™ Hardinge Machines. The Base AHC came with an about
$30,000 price tag in the mid 70's
Hardinge
Inc. went public in 1995 and is now traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol HDNG
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Direct Programming Trip Blocks
The top Roller Drum has trip blocks which hit a
limit switches. These switches are what cycles the machine to
Chase Threads, Tapping, box patterns & all canned cycles .
There are 6 different rows of trip blocks for each of the 6
stations on the turret. Each station can be programmed with
multiple tasks, but with only one of ten different patterns (don't
be fooled that's a lot)
On each bottom drum you will find 3 different
trip blocks. The first block (L-R) is for carriage
"Home" position. On the return, once the cam hits this
the turret will automatically index to the next programmed
station. The middle block is the machine preprogrammed feed rate
for the carriage set by the operator with the Carriage & Cross
Slide Feed Panel pictured below. You set the desired rate at which
you want the carriage to travel. The last block is for reverse
feed rates. This block will not work if the "Rapid Return is
used
This machine is very simple to operate & set
up.
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Main Control Panel
Once you see this machine run in it's own cycle,
you can probably set up the machine for the basics in no time at
all
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Push Button Control
Once
the AHC was programmed the operator only had to push the Cycle
Start button & load bars while working off on another machine.
This is a Hardinge & it is quite reliable to leave unattended
on many jobs.
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Carriage & Cross Slide Feed Control Panel
Six Feeds Forward, Six Feeds Backward for Each
of the Six Carriage Stations. Three In & Out Feeds for the
Cross Slide. All Feeds can be changed instantly even in the
middle of an operation. Each white spot is the Station Indicator
Light to aid in Setup
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Deep Hole Drilling Unit
This came standard on the
AHC. The unit permits drill depth up to 2
˝" in any of the Six Carriage Stations
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Automatic Lubrication Unit
This unit automatically lubricates the collet
closer, vertical slide, parts chute, carriage, cross slide, and
thread chaser in ten minute intervals.
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Spindle Drive Unit
This unit provides the 34 speed from 125-3000
RPM. This machine can instantly drop speed from 3000 R.P.M. to 125
R.P.M. Most threading is done at fast spindle speeds. I have
threaded 17 - 4 PH SS 5/16 24 NF @ 1300 R.P.M 17-4 PH is a very
hard SS & to watch a machine thread at that speed is quite
remarkable. It is not recommended to thread anything below 600
R.P.M on this machine.
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The AHC is one Big Puppy
The weight is 3550 with the Automatic Threading
Unit (pictured) Just the machine alone is 4' x 7 1/2' and add 3'
to the back side ( for access to the back panel & operator set
up room, Add at least 2 feet to the right side for access to the
panel below the Heat Exchanger. With a 12' Bar Feeder this machine
will take up roughly 7' x 22'
A good working AHC is hard to beat. At the time
I am writing this one can be found for $5K & under. These
machines, although a little slower than a CNC can perform nearly
as much as the new CNC's accept there are no $800 - $1000 a month
payments.
If you are looking for CNC quality don't over
look the Hardinge AHC
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