Aciera F1 Milling Machine

Le Locle (Switzerland)

I now own three machine tools: Schaublin 70, Aciera F1, and Hauser M1. This selection is not random. All three machines work with W12 and B8 collets.


Aciera F1 milling machine, general view with spindle in vertical position, rotary table.

On the Aciera and Hauser machines, the hole for mounting the rotary table, vises, dividing head (spindle), and other accessories is uniformly 35 mm, allowing all accessories to be interchangeable.

Aciera F1 milling machine, general view with spindle in vertical position, rotary table.

All lubrication points are fitted with grease nipples and supplied via a special lubrication pump. The machine should be lubricated regularly—once a week or as needed—with the spindle requiring more frequent lubrication.

Aciera F1 milling machine, close-up of the rotary table.

USE ONLY LIQUID (FLUID) OIL (MACHINE OIL)!

Aciera F1 milling machine, logo.

I have disassembled many machines and must say that in machines lubricated with grease, all channels are blocked, and in some areas, assemblies and bearings are irreversibly damaged, requiring major effort to replace.

Unfortunately, the machine has some design flaws:

  • The longitudinal slides are not wide enough for the relatively heavy spindle, causing significant uneven wear.
  • The contact surface of the spindle’s roller bearings is not repairable. Wear increases the cylinder diameter, leading to lateral deviation of the cutting tool. The only probable repair is manually manufacturing new rollers.

Siemens frequency inverter for generating three-phase current

Siemens frequency inverter for generating three-phase current.

Technical Data of the Aciera F1

Working Ranges:

  • Longitudinal table travel 100 mm
  • Vertical table travel 150 mm
  • Cross travel of spindle heads 75 mm
  • Screw scale graduation 0.01 mm

Milling Spindle:

  • Collet chuck type W-12
  • Collet holder, base diameter Ø 12 mm
  • Collet clamping range 0–10 mm
  • Spindle speeds: 125–250–500–1000–2000–4000 rpm (infinitely variable 0–4000 rpm with frequency converter)

Dimensions and Weight:

  • Machine without base:
  • Length 600 mm
  • Width 500 mm
  • Height 570 mm
  • Machine weight without accessories approx. 55 kg