MECAL MC 316

General

The Mecal MC 316 represents a comprehensive approach to high-volume production as a fully automatic Aluminum Profile Fabrication Centre. Unlike traditional machining centres where a stationary part is processed by a moving head, the MC 316 employs a bar-fed system. Full-length profiles are automatically loaded, moved through a central cabin containing various processing units, and then cut to size before being transferred to an outfeed system. This integrated process is designed for continuous, optimized production of finished components directly from raw material.

Integrated System Components

The MC 316's configuration consists of several interconnected stations that manage the entire fabrication process.

Infeed Magazine: Production begins at the automatic loading magazine for aluminum bars. It features a flat belt system that stages profiles for processing. A pusher unit with a gripper automatically picks the bar from the magazine and feeds it through the machine. Idle rollers support the profile as it moves, while the tilting unit can adjust the bar's orientation if needed.

Milling Unit: At the heart of the machine is a gantry-mounted, feed-through rotary turret. This turret provides a full 360° reach to machine around the profile and can be configured with 4 to 8 electrospindles to suit the complexity of the job.

Vertical Cutting Unit: The standard 4-axis cutting unit performs the final cut-off operation. It is equipped with a large 550 mm diameter blade and can rotate up to ±90° for miter cuts and notches.

Outfeed Buffer (MPF): An automated storage and unloading system for finished parts with three different capacity and style variations

Horizontal Cutting Module (option): An additional cutting unit with a 400 mm blade for horizontal cuts.

End Milling Module (option): A dedicated unit for end-milling operations.

Features

• Automated fabrication process consisting of an infeed magazine, a central processing cabin, and an outfeed system for finished parts.
• A bar handling unit with a gripper picks profiles from the magazine and feeds them through the machine.
• The central processing cabin features a gantry-mounted, feed-through rotary turret that holds all the machining spindles (4 standard, expandable to 8), allowing any tool to be used at any angle without a tool change cycle.
• A vertical cutting module with a large-diameter blade performs straight and miter cuts.
• The system is designed for job-based production, where a single file containing multiple different parts is processed from full-length bars.
• Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) provides clean and efficient tool cooling.
• Automatic centralized lubrication for all guideways and ball screws reduces maintenance.

Technical Data

• Working Length (Infeed): Configurable
• Working Length (Outfeed): Configurable
• Spindle Power: 4.5 kW (S1) / 5.4 kW (S6) standard.
• Spindle Speed: 24,000 rpm.
• Tool Holder System: ER32.
• Number of Spindles: 4 standard, expandable to 8.
• Saw Blade Diameter: 550 mm (21.65”).
• Workable Cross Section: 210 x 150 mm (8” x 6”) standard; 300 x 200 mm (12” x 8”) with optional servo clamps.
• Control Interface: Desktop PC with 18.5" touch screen display.

Standard Equipment

• Automatic bar infeed magazine (MMB).
• Bar gripping and handling unit (UMB).
• Central milling module (MFC) with 4 electrospindles.
• Vertical cutting module (MTV) with 550mm blade.
• Profile extraction module (MEP).
• 3 pneumatic clamping units.
• Tool length verification unit.
• Label printing unit.
• Windows 10 PC-based control system.
• CAM 3D graphic programming software.

Optionals

• Expansion to 6 or 8 electrospindles on the turret.
• Horizontal cutting module (MTO) with 400 mm blade.
• End milling module (MFT).
• Head machining module with aggregate (MLT).
• Servo clamping system
• Automatic guiding management system (MGC).
• Electrospindle disengagement module (MSE).
• Multiple infeed and outfeed table configurations.
• Chip conveyor system.
• Remote control.
• Wi-Fi connection kit.