Automatic Milling Machine

The HS-F 1000 is an automatic milling machine that sets the standard for automated sample preparation. It delivers the highest quality, reliability and flexibility with minimal processing times. Designed for compact installation in laboratories and container robot systems, it combines innovative technology with a robust and space-saving design. The HS-F 1000 is ideal for quality control with simple Automation and exceptional performance.

Specially designed for sample preparation and quality control

The HS-F 1000 milling machine combines innovative technology and full flexibility with a compact and robust design. Key features include the shortest preparation time, easy Automation and the highest quality – at an unbeatable price. The HS-F 1000 has been specially developed for the requirements of QC laboratories and uses HERZOG’s decades of knowledge in mechanical engineering and sample preparation.

Speed

The operator, a robot or a linear conveyor places the sample at the transfer position of the HS-F 1000. While the HS-F 1000 mills the lower specimen surface, the specimen is already in a defined zero plane. A time-consuming measurement of the sample height is therefore not necessary. The mobile holder coming from above then clamps the sample and transfers it to the milling spindle, where it is milled from below. This coordinated sequence – speed-optimized in all sub-steps – saves valuable seconds, which is particularly important for time-critical production samples.

Flexibility

The design of the HS-F 1000 ensures maximum flexibility to meet specific customer requirements. In manual operation, the samples are inserted via the front door. The default insert position is on the left side of the machine, but can be easily changed to the right side. In automatic mode, samples can be inserted either via the side or the reloading openings by means of a robot or linear conveyor. The wide range of access options opens up numerous options for integrating the HS-F 1000 into any automation concept.

Compactness

The HS-F 1000 is an extremely compact machine that can be easily installed even in confined locations and small spaces. The volume of the HS-F 1000 is significantly lower than that of standard CNC milling machines for sample preparation. During installation, the machine dimensions allow uncomplicated transport through standard industrial doors. In container laboratories, the HS-F 1000 fits effortlessly into standard cabins and offers more legroom and elbow room. In large robot cells, the small machine base creates space for further and larger components in the Automation.

Easy to maintain

Despite the small machine size, the HS-F 1000 offers excellent ease of maintenance and accessibility. The interior is optimized so that all chips are directed to the front chip containers, for manual or automatic emptying. There is convenient access to the main machine parts such as the spindle, motors and V-belts for maintenance, replacement and repair. The control cabinet and most of the pneumatic components are located at the rear and are easily accessible for operators and service technicians.

Stability

Thanks to simulation-based design methods, the HS-F 1000 is optimally designed for sample preparation. The machine frame is characterized by FEM-optimized shape and perfect damping by mineral casting. This leads to significantly reduced vibration values and brilliant milling results, even with extremely brittle cast iron specimens, as well as to longer service life of the milling tools.

Designed for Smart Industry Solutions

The HS-F 1000 is designed for smart industrial solutions and enables tool condition monitoring and predictive maintenance. This improves the service life and analytical performance of the laboratory. Intelligent sensor technology and the PrepMaster Analytics software automatically monitor the degree of wear of the inserts of the milling tool used. If necessary, a tool change can be carried out fully automatically without operator intervention.

Automatic Chip Recovery for Combustion Analysis

Two systems are available for the collection of chips for combustion analysis. The chips generated by the surface milling head during sample processing can be fed via a funnel into a cup or pneumatically into a rotary image magazine. These spiral chips are particularly suitable for manual combustion analysis.

A special chip module has been developed for fully automatic combustion analysis, which produces short, granular chips with a cylindrical milling cutter. These are particularly easy to handle and dose. The chips can be fed into a cup or pneumatically transferred to a rotary image magazine or the CSNLab for fully automated analysis.

Numerous options

The HS-F 1000 offers numerous options and can be flexibly configured for all customer applications. The integrated quadruple tool changer (optional) provides the necessary milling cutters for all laboratory applications. If additional tools are required, an external six-fold tool changer can be used; the tools are then changed robotically via the side access.

Samples can be fed into automation systems not only by robots, but also by linear handling systems from the side or from the rear.

The HS-F 1000 can be adapted for non-ferrous metal samples (e.g. from the aluminium sector). For this purpose, a spindle motor with higher speeds is used and the machine interior is converted for lighter chips.

The inside of the machine can optionally be monitored with up to two cameras. In the event of malfunctions, the buffered video film is used by the PrepMaster Analytics software for a simpler and more targeted misanalysis.