CNC AUTOMATIC LATHE

CNC AUTOMATIC LATHE

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LICO Machinery Co., Ltd., the professional manufacturer of CNC AUTOMATIC LATHE.Gang Tooling as Standard, Options With Turret & Rotary Tools.
*Best value and most versatile machine available for all production shops.
*Optional hydraulic live tools, Both facing and crossing, Allows secondary combined eith 48-position spindle indexing or C-axis. Good for various secodart operation.
*Can be used as a gang tool machine or an optional 8-position turret.
*Use of an optional bar feeder for unattened high volume production.
Live tool
Hydraulic live tool with the spindle 48 dividing system and C-axis function can make secondaryoperation on the nachine.
High speed, high precision indexing turret
The 8-position tool turret ensures high repeated positioning accuracy and rigidity. Rapid indexing time form 0.15 sec. to 1.2 sec, The too; disc has a bulit-in coolant nozzle that is directed straight to the tool tips.
Z-axis box beam
nsures high rigidity. TURCITE coating allows for smooth and precise movements.
Telescopic cover protect the ballscrew.
The dovetail X-axis slide
permits mounting of gang tools(sub plate also available) and or hydraulic tooling spindle as well as an 8-position turret with thru coolant.
Standard controller
Either "MITSUBISHI" M64SL or "SIEMENS" 802D or FANUC OiMATE controller.
3-Jaw hydraulic chuck
This machine is equipped with a Ø6" or Ø8" 3-jaw hydraulic hollow chuck.
For enlarge wrkpiece machine.
Wiring is enclosed
in a cabinet and a standard heat exchanger ensures cooler temperature for the electronic components.

CNC Lathes, Mills and Borers from LaserBond

CNC Lathes, Mills. Borers, cylindrical, surface and internal grinders

Large Capacity CNC Lathes, Mills and Borers

• A comprehensive range of modern, large capacity CNC Lathes, Mills and Borers, in addition to a variety of conventional manual lathes, mills and borers, cylindrical, surface and internal grinders etc are installed in both the Gladstone and Ingleburn facilities
• These are used to manufacture new components (from one offs to large batches) and parts in a wide range of sizes, weights and geometries
• Additionally, this equipment is utilised to restore and reclaim worn and damaged components to precise tolerances and required surface finishes

LaserBond New Equipment

• The company has recently invested in several new pieces of equipment, including a large HNK CNC Borer (X-4000mm, Y-2300mm, Z-2300mm, Payload- 15,000kg) complete with 30 tool automatic changer and CNC facing head
• New Okuma CNC lathes/mills have also been installed to enhance existing CNC turning capacity
• These acquisitions equip LaserBond with significant capability, and the capacity to provide the highest quality work with quick turnarounds to meet the needs of breakdowns and shutdowns when necessary
• A full capacity and capabilities list is available on our website

Six-Spindle CNC Automatic Lathe

The six-spindle automatic lathe, the Euroturn 6/26 CNC from Maxim International, is built with six independent cross slides, six independent endworking slides, five independent compound slides and an independent backworking slide. The machine is especially useful for high-volume turning applications, especially in the automotive and aerospace industries.

The lathes offers an advanced CNC control incorporating an operator-friendly Graphic Programming System. Complete with an onboard CAD/CAM system, the operator has the ability to draw a picture of the part to be machined using the CAD feature, program the part drawing using the CAM feature and then run the parts all from the control panel.

CNC 4-axis machine resharpens drills in seconds

CNC 4-axis drill sharpener with an easy-to-use touch screen panel easily reproduces the complex, high quality points found on today's premium HSS and carbide drills.

The 1st MTA company demonstrated the Darex XPS-16 CNC drill sharpener, which, said the company, carries out the advanced CNC 4-axis sharpening of a wide range of twin flute drill point types using simple, one-touch operation.

The XPS-16's advanced CNC operation enables it to easily reproduce the complex, high quality points found on today's premium HSS and carbide drills.

1st MTA told manufacturingtalk that an easy-to-learn touchscreen interface allows even novice users to produce perfectly re-sharpened drill points in seconds.

The XPS-16 is suitabel for conical, four facet, split point and radius split point bits with angles from 118-150 deg as standard.

A 90-118deg add-on option is also available.

1st MTA said that the XPS-16 will sharpen HSS, cobalt and carbide drills from 3-16mm diameter and 50-220mm long.

It has been designed specifically for heavy duty use within busy machine shop environments and is can sharpen more than 400 drills/day.

* Easy operation - a blunt drill is first inserted into the sharpener's chuck and the required drill point type selected using a simple touchscreen panel.

On initiation of the sharpening cycle, three independent electronic sensors automatically detect the drill's length and diameter; precisely locate the cutting edge and calculate the web thickness.

The unit then sharpens the drill and applies the required split point form, in one seamless operation.

The XPS-16 will also hone carbide drill edges as part of the automatic process - extending tool life and maximising drill bit machining accuracy.

* CBN and diamond wheels - the machine is equipped with CBN and Diamond wheels that are designed to sharpen 2,000 to 4,000 drills.

Metal removal is set at a minimum to extend drill life.

However, this can be overridden by up to 0.50mm if necessary, to compensate for gouges or nicked drill edges.

The XPS-16 allows user-specific drill sharpening programs to be produced easily and stored for future use.

It also has Darex's latest Grind Motion Control system, which detects excess material on the blunt drill bit.

The system enables the grinding feed rate to be adjusted automatically, to prevent abrasive 'burning' and to provide optimum sharpening performance.

* Low maintenance - the unit's long-lasting super-abrasive plated grinding wheels and lifetime-lubricated seals ensure low maintenance and a long service life.

The sharpener also incorporates a vacuum filtration system to eliminate grit and airborne contaminants such as carbide dust.

In addition, its computerised controls are backed by advanced diagnostic software that will alert operators to potential problems during the sharpening cycle.

* About 1st Machine Tool Accessories - offering a comprehensive range of top quality products at competitive prices, 1st Machine Tool Accessories is a leading supplier of workholding and machining accessories including collets; chuck jaws; Kitagawa chucking, rotary tables and vices (vises); Leave fixturing and clamping products; Chick workholding equipment; Darex tool sharpeners; OK Vises; Brighetti reduction bushes; deburring and countersink tools; IEMCA barfeeders; 3Nine oil mist filtration; Cooljet high pressure coolant systems; machine mounts and Overbeck deburring twister lathes.

1st MTA's extensive stock holding is backed by excellent warranty and service provided by a dedicated team of technical engineers; demonstrations of some products are available from external sales specialists.

Second CNC tool measuring machine added

A second CNC tool measuring machine will help unplug an inspection bottleneck at a tool maker created by increased customer demand for documented inspection reports.

Specialist tooling manufacturer and supplier, Industrial Tooling Corporation (ITC), had had installed the UK's first Walter Helicheck Plus CNC tool measuring machine.

Supplied by Koerber Schleifring UK of Honiley near Kenilworth, UK, the Helicheck Plus complements ITC's existing Walter Toolcheck tool measuring machine.

Koerber Schleifring told manufacturingtalk that ITC was currently the only UK company operating two Walter tool measuring machines.

The machineswill help 'unplug' an inspection 'bottleneck' at the company created by increased customer demand for documented inspection reports.

Technical director at ITC, Peter Graves, said that the Helicheck Plus will prove invaluable in allowing the Tamworth-based company to streamline floor-to-floor times of, for example, form tools produced and delivered with appropriate documentation for manufacturing certification and traceability, for aerospace customers such as Rolls-Royce.

Capable of measuring tools within the 0.1mm to 200mm diameter range, the Walter Helicheck Plus is equipped with four fixed cameras for non-contact, fully automatic measurement routines in accordance with VDI/VDE 2617.

The machine achieves a measuring length deviation of E1 = (1.4 + L/300mm) micron, where L equals measuring length.

The machine has a substantial granite block with excellent vibration damping.

The Helicheck Plus features front, back and top light camera magnification of up to 400x for micro tools, and back light up to 50x for standard larger tools.

The machine has a Diffusor 'soft light' illumination that avoids excessive reflection of the face/feature being measured, to aid inspection clarity.

ITC operates eight Walter Helitronic 5-axis CNC tool grinders and other tool production/grinding equipment and designs, manufactures and regrinds high-precision drills and reamers among a wide range of HSS and carbide tooling.

Customers include the motor sport (Formula One) and die and mouldmaking sectors in the UK and overseas, as well as the aerospace sector.

It is also UK stockist of Hanita (Israel) and Metal Removal (USA) products.

Discount on Darex XPS-16 CNC drill sharpener

1st Machine Tool Accessories has cut 20 per cent from the price of its Darex XPS-16 CNC drill sharpener for the rest of the year.

There will also be a 90 deg upgrade package worth GBP998.00 with every XPS-16 ordered.

Having the XPS-16 available in-house offers users a rapid payback.

Whether replacing tools or sending them out to be resharpened, the costs of purchasing, issuing payment and stocktaking are eliminated.

In many machine shops, it is the most experienced (and expensive) employees who are asked to resharpen 'emergency' drills by hand.

The unit will therefore pay for itself many times over in a short period of time.

Representing the ultimate in precision, simplicity and productivity, the XPS-16 offers sophisticated CNC four-axis sharpening of a wide range of twin-flute drill-point types - enabling it to quickly reproduce the complex, high quality profiles found on premium HSS, cobalt and carbide drills.

Its easy-to-learn touchscreen interface allows inexperienced users to produce perfectly resharpened drills in seconds.

To underline the system's capabilities and ease of operation, 1st MTA will also arrange free demonstrations of the XPS-16 at customers' premises on request.

Suitable for conical, four facet, split point and radius split-point bits with angles from 118-150 deg as standard, the XPS-16 will sharpen drills from 3-16mm diameter and 50-220mm long.

It has been designed specifically for heavy-duty use within busy machine shop environments and is capable of sharpening more than 400 drills a day.

This drill sharpener's automatic cycle hones and deburrs the cutting edge of carbide drills in less than one minute, extending tool life and maximising drill-bit machining accuracy.

In operation, the XPS-16 allows up to 25 user-specific drill-point geometries to be easily programmed and stored for future use.

It also incorporates Darex's latest Grind Motion Control system, which monitors the load on the grinding wheel and automatically adjusts feed and speed while keeping the drills cool.

Electroplated super-abrasive wheels are included - CBN for sharpening HSS drills and Diamond for carbide drills - to ensure a smooth finish.

Metal removal is set at a minimum to extend drill life; this can be overridden by up to 0.50mm if necessary to compensate for gouges or damaged edges.

Lifetime-lubricated seals ensure low maintenance and a long service life.

The vacuum filtration system eliminates grit and airborne contaminants such as carbide dust, keeping the machine clean while acting as a coolant.

In addition, advanced diagnostic software alerts operators to potential problems during the sharpening cycle.

CNC machine grinds super-hard materials

The Ewag Compact Line CNC grinding machine is designed for the flexible and precise manufacturing or sharpening of indexable inserts in all materials.

Whether the material is carbide, cermet, ceramic or super-hard CBN/PCD, the CNC grinding machine meets all of the requirements for precision and speed - especially with the realisation of complex workpiece geometries.

The machine is fitted with the CBN/PCD module for grinding super-hard materials and now also for machining diamond cutting materials.

The Compact Line has a compact construction, features ergonomic operation and an integrated robot system.

Inside the machine, everything is positioned close to the working B-axis; the travel ranges for axes and robots are therefore kept to a minimum, cycle and downtimes are shortened, and productivity is increased.

The machine interior and control elements are accessible from one position.

A rapid change system allows the operator to exchange the grinding wheels easily at the push of a button.

The HSKE 50 clamping system for grinding wheels ensures quick and accurate change-over of grinding-wheel sets.

The workpieces are fixed to the clamping device with a tension pin.

All clamping systems are mechanically installed on the B-axis and are identified by a 'plug-and-play' system.

The result is flexibility and short change-over times.

The 'three-in-one' sharpening unit - dressing, regenerating, and crushing - provides good grinding wheel concentricity and high repeat accuracy of processes.

3D measurement of workpieces in one clamping ensures the required tolerances are met from the start.

Loading is carried out with the integrated six-axis Fanuc robot, which increases the level of machine automation and permits autonomous multi-shift operation.

The Compact Line incorporates five-axis CNC kinematics, direct drive of the grinding spindle and linear technology.

UK mould maker invests in milling/EDM

Precision Moulds and Tools Services has invested in one new VCP 800W Duro EDM and four new HSM 800 high-speed milling machines supplied by GF AgieCharmilles.

Aylesbury, UK-based injection mould tool specialist, Precision Moulds and Tools Services (PM and T), has bought from GF AgieCharmilles one VCP 800W Duro EDM and four HSM 800 high-speed milling machines.

PM and T has installed four of the machine tools at the company's 10,000ft2 facility in Aylesbury and of the HSM 800 at its manufacturing facility in Sri Lanka.

All the machines produce parts for high-precision, complex and competitively-priced mould tools (from single impression to multi-impression and twin-shot tooling).

PM and T provides a total systems service to its customers including the design, manufacture and supply of complex, high-precision tooling while working in close cooperation with customers.

In doing so, PM and T develop and design products from concept and prototype tooling, through to single impression pre-production and multi impression production tooling.

In addition, rigorous pre-production testing and sampling will be extended over the next few months through a new 2,000ft2 in-house mould validation facility, with twin-shot and three-shot mouldinhg capability, which will be housed at its Aylesbury site.

PMandT's 'concept through to completion' business approach is not essentially unique - but it has helped differentiate the company from a significant proportion of its competitors.

* Technology investments - State-of-the-art EDM and wire EDM machines, housed in a fully temperature-controlled environment, have ensured that the company can meet (and exceed) its customer's quality (accuracy, surface finish, etc) and delivery requirements.

In 2006 PM and T invested in its first VCP 800W Duro and HSM 800 3-axis milling machine from GF AgieCharmilles.

Said PM and T managing director, Michael Rush: "The machines deliver excellent performance on speed, accuracy and surface finish.

We use these mainly for machining hardened (HRC 58) intricate and micro-feature cavity inserts".

He said that the speed of the HSM 800 (36,000 rev/min, high-torque spindle capability and 40m/min rapid feeds) and its ability to deliver surface finishes of 0.2 micron Ra, and positional accuracies of +/-5 micron, have enabled PM and T to rely less and less on its more-time-consuming EDM machines to achieve desired part quality and to ensure manufacturing lead times are met.

The machine has also eliminated the need, in many instances, for costly and time-intensive hand polishing of mould tools.

Rush added: "We were so impressed with our first HSM 800 that we recently invested in a further three machines".

* About PM and T - PM and T was established in 1991 by joint managing directors Michael Rush and Paul Newton.

At a time when many UK- and European-based toolmakers were contracting or diversifying their operations away from toolmaking to precision component manufacture, PM and T was experiencing significant growth.

Its management said that recent strategic and prudent investments made in design, manufacture, sales and marketing, etc, reversed the trend as far as PM and T was concerned.

Rush said: "We study macro- and micro-market trends, we analyse customer behaviour and we 'benchmark' ourselves against the competition.

When we consider the time is right, and when we're convinced that the benefits outweigh the risks - we act decisively and make 'telling' investments".

These investments include the following.

* Purchasing advanced, high-performance machine tools.

* Opening up a new manufacturing facility in Sri Lanka.

* Building a mould validation shop at the company's Aylesbury site.

* Appointing a German-based sales representative soon to exploit business opportunities across Europe.

All of these strategic investments, reinforce PM and T's customer-focused approach to business, and have helped the company increase sales and share.

* Overseas operation - in 1998 PM and T began an overseas operation in Sri Lanka to provide the company with reliable and cost-efficient manufacturing capability that supported the company's UK operations.

Since then the business focus has changed.

Rush explained: "We made a strategic decision not to allow our Sri Lankan operation to 'play second fiddle' to what we have here in the UK.

Our intention now is to ensure that the Sri Lankan facility is as good - technically and commercially - as our UK operation".

What PM and T is doing is as follows.

* Installing high-performance machine tools including one of the recently-purchased HSM 800 machines.

* Thoroughly traing Sri Lankan technical engineers at PM and T's UK facility.

* Using high speed video conferencing for communications between the UK and Sri Lanka facilities.

PM and T sales director, Joe Boscarini, explained: "Our two facilities operate seamlessly.

All of our mould tool design and consultancy work is undertaken here in the UK - as are our sales, marketing and commercial activities.

Manufacturing and production, including mould repair and modification can be undertaken at either site to the same high quality standards.

Boscarini continued: "Our Sri Lankan facility has not only given us improved manufacturing flexibility and increased capability - it has also allowed us to better-plan our production schedules and to control our costs.

For our customers this means faster turnaround and improved delivery times, and more economic mould tool production.".

C Dugard of Hove has added a CNC horizontal boring machine to its Dugard Eagle range

C Dugard of Hove has added a CNC horizontal boring machine to its Dugard Eagle range

The machine is designed for those who require a high-specification, rigid and powerful solution for large components weighing up to five tonnes and up to 5.5m by 2.6m by 1.3m that require precision boring, milling, drilling and certain turning cycles.

The HBM-4 weighs some 22 tonnes, has a 30kW motor mounted within a heavy-duty column that is carried over its 1,600 Z-axis stroke on hardened and ground boxways having the advantage of two additional supporting ways giving maximum stability and aiding positioning accuracy.

A multi-pitch worm driven rotary table of 1,200mm by 1,500mm with one micron indexing as standard and a hydraulic clamping torque of 4.5 tonnes applied to the heavy-duty bed ensures precision indexing and rigidity.

This enables heavy cutting and tool overhang conditions such as when line-type boring operations are performed typical of the use for a machine of this type.

The spindle and sleeve assembly is supported on double rollers with ISO 50 taper to the 110mm diameter quill and the W-axis outfeed stroke is 550mm.

Driven through a high torque gearbox with oil chiller, hardened and ground gears and automatic two-speed change, the spindle revolutions available are between 35 and 3,000revs/min.

The spindle is served by a 60 tool magazine using a travelling arm tool exchange with easy access for tool loading from the rear.

The maximum tool diameter, automatically handled by the system, is 250mm by 300mm long and weighing up to 25kg.

Travel in X-axis is 2,200 mm with 1,600 mm in Y and Z axes covered at rapid traverse rates of 12m/min.

Combined axis feed rates are fully programmable between one and 5,000mm/min while the B-axis rotary table has a top speed of 8revs/min to provide a turning or profiling capability.

An auger type chip conveyor is standard with options of an angle or universal milling head, a facing head with telescopic toolholder, spindle extension sleeves and an 1,800 increment rotary table.

Control is via Fanuc 18i/20i or Heidenhain's iTNC 530.

CNC bed-type milling machine has than paid for itself in the machining

CNC bed-type milling machine has than paid for itself in the machining of the 32 tonnes of steel for tooling plates used in the robotic fabrication of prison cell doors.

Fern Engineering Systems is using an XYZ SMX 5000 manual/CNC bed mill to machine various sizes of steel tooling plate for a self-contained robotic welding cell.

The bed mill, with solid Meehanite ribbed cast iron construction and induction hardened and ground slides and Turcite-B coated ways, has been in continuous use since its installation.

Owner of Fern, Andrew Beckley said the bed mill had more than paid for itself in the machining of the 32 tonnes of steel needed to produce tooling plates for the robotic welding cell.

The welding cell is for Cell Security, which will produce different designs of cell doors destined for prisons, police stations and other security applications worldwide.

At Welding Security, the tooling plates can be changed in 10 min or less, allowing various designs of cell door to be fabricated quickly and accurately in a wide range of sizes.

Located at Whitebirk, Blackburn, Fern was set up by Andrew Beckley and Paul Jackson in January 2004.

Fern has always had a company policy to control the entire manufacturing process, which is why Fern took delivery in 2007 of the XYZ SMX 5000 manual/CNC bed mill.

The SMX 5000 has a 5.75kW (7.5HP)/5000 rev/min main spindle serving a 1930mm by 356mm table having a load capacity of 850kg.

X- and Y-axis travels are 1524mm by 596mm.

These specifications made the SMX 5000 an ideal choice for the machining of the various sizes of steel tooling plate used in Cell Security's robotic welding cell.

* Robotic welding cells - on average Fern Engineering Systems builds and ships a bespoke automated welding cell every 8.6 weeks, each one designed as a skid-mounted unit for ease of transportation and installation.

It took less than 12 weeks - from the initial enquiry from Cell Security to delivery on site - and just over 4h for the welding cell to be fully operational.

Before welding cell installation it took up to 10h for Cell Security to construct and manually weld each security door.

The robotic welding cell does the job in as little as 40 min.

Fern employs eight people and Beckley said it is important to maintain the flexibility and fast response of a small business.

This, he adds, requires every member of the team to be multi-skilled.

So, although a control engineer by training, he is equally at home developing and refining the company's proprietary Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) software or machining components for the latest project.

He said: "Engineering companies that we know do good work have XYZ machines and we took note of their recommendations when it came to our choice of machine tool".

XYZ told manufacturingtalk that it was a demonstration at XYZ Machine Tools' regional showroom in Blackburn that provided convincing evidence to Fern of the manual/CNC bed mill's metal removal capability and the ease of use of its ProtoTRAK SMX control.

This latest-generation CNC is deesigned for 'one-off' and low volume production.

The CNC uses plain English prompts and requires no learning of codes, allowing an operator with little or no CNC experience to operate the SMX 5000 within a day, said XYZ.

"It is this ease of use that really appeals," said Beckley, "As it is in line with our own business practice.

We were, for example, awarded a contract by a major automotive parts manufacturer for a system to control 71 automated welding cells after we were able to demonstrate conclusively the flexibility and cost savings achievable with our custom-written Production Management Tools software compared with more expensive off-the-shelf SCADA packages.".

Schaublin Machine Tools has supplied a medical device manufacturer with a Schaublin 48V CNC mill

Schaublin Machine Tools has supplied a medical device manufacturer with a Schaublin 48V CNC mill and Renishaw probe system to produce high-accuracy parts.

Schaublin engineers helped train Clada Medical's Raphael Blowick, to use the equipment.

Blowick, not a production engineer, faced a steep learning curve when it came to machining.

Blowick said: 'I've always liked designing parts in Solidworks.

'The problem for me has been turning those designs into physical parts.' Starting with the premise that for the medical parts he intends to make, accuracy and process consistency are more important than complexity, Blowick took advice and invested in a Schaublin 48V mill fitted with a Renishaw OMP 40 probe.

He then took the decision to go further, purchasing GibbsCAM, to turn his 3D designs into machining programs, Renishaw's Productivity Plus software, to automate the programming of probe routines, and Renishaw's CNC reporter, an SPC package used to analyse and control the production process.

He said: 'Frank Boston from Schaublin Machine Tools supplied the Schaublin 48V milling machine, together with the probe system from Renishaw.

'He introduced me to Guy Brown from GSPS, to set up the purchased software packages configured for the Schaublin 48V.' Brown installed Renishaw's Productivity Plus plug-in for GibbsCAM to integrate the creation of probing cycles with the creation of metal cutting tool paths within the Virtual Gibbs package.

A complete metal cutting process can be defined and simulated prior to machine prove-out.

Simulation provides graphical identification of the work piece and shows any potential fixture collision with cutting tools.

Productivity Plus seamlessly adds the probe moves into the simulation, so that the whole process is developed off-line.

The net result for Blowick is short and reliable prove-out times.

He said: 'The probe measures the part as part of the production cycle, with the measured data recorded by CNC Reporter, providing feedback to adjust the process and keep it within control limits.

'The great thing about it is the way it updates the tool offset - I know I can get a precision part every time, with the system automatically controlling itself.

'Brown and Boston helped me make a calibration part, incorporating most of the features I would be likely to machine.

'I know exactly what I have to do and the tools are all set up in the library, so I use it and do not need to mess around with it or change it.

'The probing moves are in there to control the process but also to verify the finished parts - if there is any variation that can be fed back to the CNC control.

'I can also get a print-out for the Q and A people or for my own records.'.

Jean Michel Vallet has built his engineering workshop by making precision components on CNC machines

Jean Michel Vallet has built his engineering workshop by making precision components on CNC machines for mostly local companies, but always with one eye on his long-held dream of building a race car.

In the early 1970s, Vallet was quick to realise the potential of CNC, investing in the first of many numerically controlled machines.

In the late 1990s, the time came to move to new premises; and it was the ideal opportunity to streamline the company's workshop.

'When we built this new factory, we had something like seven different makes of CNC machine tools,' said Vallet.

'Running the factory was complicated and inefficient.

'For the sake of productivity, we had to standardise.' In 1998, Vallet took a trip to the Paris machine tool show where, where he came across Haas CNC machine tools.

'We found the best machines for our growing company,' he added.

'All Haas machines have the same control, which means if you can program one, you can program all of them.

'Plus, they offer lots of torque, which is ideal because we often use large diameter end mills on stainless steel.' He was also impressed with the Haas fourth-axis capabilities.

The company now owns several Haas machines, including a VF-9 vertical machining centre.

Vallet began by supplying a local company making machines for bottling plants.

Today, the company's bread-and-butter work, the work which will pay for Vallet to pursue his motor racing dream, is mainly making parts for companies building food packaging and processing machines, plus some special and secretive aerospace projects.

'We make scale models of new and prototype aircraft, which are used for wind tunnel testing and are full of sensors measuring airflow and aerodynamic forces,' he said.

'We also make five-axis parts for our aerospace customers, which are actually comparatively straight forward to machine.

'The trickiest parts we make are for the food processing industry, machined from special stainless steels.

'These parts often have very tight tolerances, which is a challenge because we have to find ways of making them at the price the customer wants to pay.

'It's demanding work, which we're able to do because we use accurate but relatively low-cost machine tools.' In Vallet's busy workshop is a line of Haas machines including eight CNC vertical machining centres and five CNC turning centres.

One, a Haas VF-1, runs 24 hours a day using a Kuka robot arm to change parts.

An adjacent PC, using software designed personally by Vallet, controls the robot separately.

PCs interconnect all the machining stations, allowing managers to keep tight control of planning and scheduling.

The factory runs three shifts and 24 hours a day; 10 Haas machines running through the night with just five operators on duty.

'My aim is to create an entire racing car from just six solid blocks of aluminium, in 70 hours, using only four tools,' said Vallet.

Big blocks of aluminium, he admits, but just six, from which he intends to machine all of the major and supporting structural components, including the chassis, suspension, mounting brackets, and so on.

No castings, no extrusions, just solid parts.

'We'll buy-in brakes, glass, wheels, that sort of thing, we'll make the body from glass fibre and we'll use an Alfa Romeo V6 engine, giving 340HP,' he added.

'But otherwise, we'll make it here, on one Haas machine, in less than a week of running two shifts a day.'.

Techno CNC Routers has introduced the Pro Series CNC Router, for panel process manufacturing

Techno CNC Routers has introduced the Pro Series CNC Router, for panel process manufacturing.

The Pro Series is made of welded and stress-relieved tubing, a good foundation for Techno's precision drive system.

The Pro Series drive system features precision ball-screw drives on all three axes, THK rails and bearings and a high-speed closed-loop servomotor and drive.

The Pro Series is available in sizes ranging from 4 x 8ft to 6 x 20ft.

The Pro Series machine can be equipped with a variety of spindle options, including automatic tool changer, collet spindles, drill banks or multi-spindle setup for high-volume part production.

The Pro Series is compatible with the multiple zone vacuum table, reverse engineering lasers and four-axis rotary tables.

The Techno CNC Router also features a CNC Servo G-Code Interface that is easy to learn and operate.

This Windows-based interface is a CNC program that includes: toolpath preview with viewing tools and adjustable screens, built in G-Code editor, machine speed and spindle rpm override, X/Y axis orientation swapping, program skip ahead (in case of tool breakage), built in basic nesting and production logging.

Micro tools ground surface finish improved

Walter Maschinenbau advised that its Helitronic Micro tool and cutter grinder provides the most precise grinding results in a range of diameters from 0.1mm to 12.7mm.

Walter Maschinenbau in Germany said that the development of micro tools has seen a rapid upswing in recent years.

They are used for machining the smallest components, such as micro dies, graphite electrodes and toothed wheels.

These components are used in the electronics, medicine and dentistry industries.

The tools require the highest degree of precision.

Walter told manufacturingtalk that the surface quality of the micro tools has a considerable influence on the service life and on the quality of the workpiece machined.

* Tool and cutter grinding - the Helitronic Micro tool has a machine bed made of mineral casting and linear motor drives in all machine axes to give most precise grinding results for a range of tool diameters from 0.1mm to 12.7mm.

The machine also has six CNC grinding axes.

The linear motors and a high-resolution absolute measuring system produce highly precise movements with simultaneously high dynamics, said Walter.

Both features are necessary for obtaining the highest degree of precision and cost-effective manufacture of micro tools.

* Grinding wheel head - the grinding spindle head, which can be equipped either with two or three grinding spindles, guarantees a high degree of flexibility.

The optional automatic X' axis allows for the precise positioning of the tools close to the centre of rotation.

Additional guiding and support of the workpieces by hydraulically activated stationary supports with fine adjustment ensure high dimensional accuracies with rapid feed rates.

A full radius milling cutter with a diameter of 0.5mm, was mac hined on the Helitronic Micro.

The inspection of the surface quality was then measured on the Helicheck Plus machine .

Results showed excellent surfaces on the lateral cutting edges as well on the face.

The Helitronic Micro exhibits a high level of process safety, even during continuous operation.

During series production, the deviations according to tool diameter vary within only 1-2 micron, said Walter.

The Helitronic Micro ihas the latest version of the Walter Helitronic Tool Studio software.

Thanks to the simple user instructions and the high flexibility, nearly any tool geometries can be machined.

The machine can also be equipped with an integrated loading system served by a 6-axis robot.

The robot can also be used for other tasks as well as machine loading/unloading.

* About Waltermaschinenbau - Walter Maschinenbau has been producing tool grinding machines since 1953.

The company established itself as the world market leader with the launch of the Helitronic series in 1994.

Walter produces CNC machines under the name Helitronic for grinding and/or eroding of rotationally symmetrical precision tools, including PCD tools, for the metal and wood processing industries.

The Helitronic name stands for cutting-edge technology worldwide in tool grinding and tool eroding.

The production range is supplemented by the CNC Helicheck measuring machines for non-contact complete measurement of complex precision tools and rotationally symmetrical parts in one setting with documented precision.

Our success is the success of our customers - who expect the maximum from us in terms of quality, precision, productivity and service.

We offer an ideal product range covering the entire spectrum of requirements for both tool manufacturers and resharpening companies.

Our primary task is boosting our customers' productivity.

Anca offers next-generation CNC grinder

Anca, a manufacturer of high-precision CNC grinding systems, has introduced its advanced MX7 machine.

With the ability to manufacture a variety of tools up to 16mm (5/8in) in diameter, Anca's next-generation CNC grinder is designed to meet the demand for tool production facilities seeking maximum output while still retaining the flexibility to react quickly to customer needs.

Adam Wallace, MX7 product manager, said: 'The MX7 really is a solution for today's manufacturing realities; it offers high output, enhanced flexibility and rapid changeover for high efficiency and support for lean manufacturing principles.' The MX7's permanent-magnet spindle is claimed to produce superior performance across the entire spindle working range.

It operates to a maximum of 10,000 revolutions per minute with a spindle power rating of 20kW/27HP (S1).

Further aiding precision, thanks to a lower current draw, less heat is generated and therefore less expansion takes place.

The MX7, with its higher torque at lower revolutions per minute, is particularly suited to efficient carbide grinding.

The inclusion of a standard wheel pack changer is intended to increase machine productivity and flexibility.

With its 10-second wheel change time and six HSK wheel packs, the MX7 is claimed to offer flexibility in manufacturing.

Wallace said: 'The MX7 provides the best of both worlds: superb flexibility and quick changeovers to accommodate smaller batch sizes, yet high output for production houses.

'That's where the 10-second wheel and tool changeover capability really makes its mark; it's a key strength and a competitive advantage of the MX7,' he added.

MX7 productivity can be further enhanced with the use of the MLX loader.

NL Machine Tool distributes Monza grinders

NL Machine Tool Consulting has announced that it is the exclusive UK distributor for Italian manufacturer Officine Monzesi.

Officine Monzesi is the manufacturer of Viotto single and double disc grinders, Monvibro vibratory bowl/linear feeding units and bespoke automatic loading/unloading systems and Monza centreless grinding machines.

The company is also launching a line of modular CNC centreless grinding machines.

The Monza Line 20 is based upon robustness, reliability and ergonomic layout.

The range provides CNC solutions from one to eight axis, in six sizes, with grinding wheel from 300mm OD x 100mm wide, up to 610mm OD x 500mm wide, capable of grinding work pieces with a diameter up to 200mm, allowing high levels of stock removal with high standards of accuracy.

The machine base consists of an oversized one-piece cast-iron multiple-box section structure - heavily ribbed, vibration free and thermodynamically stable.

Electronically interlocked safety protection (guarding) provides a high level of operator safety and environmental protection, yet allows easy access to the grinding area for machine set-up or when manual loading is required.

Working carriage modification allows grinding of smaller component diameters even when the driving wheel is completely used.

The dressing process, when not controlled by CNC, has been transformed from hydraulic to electric, thus avoiding potential problems related to oil hydraulics.

All motors are digital, including the regulating wheel rotation.

The grinding wheel motor can be set to continuous constant surface speed.

Fully automatic wheel balancing is available as an option.

The Monza Line 20 range of centreless grinding machines equipped with Fanuc CNC control systems and Officine Monzesi software provide CNC programs that are designed to monitor and analyse the grinding cycle and allow the operator to work without using ISO programming.

This flexibility allows the grinding cycle to be changed quickly and the set-up time to be reduced.

A wide variety of application-specific loading/unloading systems are available as well as different types of post-process gauging systems, providing feedback information and automatic machine adjustment.

Lambert fits Schmitt AEMS into Bryant grinder

Lambert recently won an order to rebuild a Bryant grinding machine for Revolvo, a midlands-based manufacturer of large and split bearings.

The machine has been installed at Revolvo's new premises in Dudley.

The high accuracy and repeatability demanded on a rebuilt Bryant grinding machine required an acoustic emission monitoring gap and crash control system from Schmitt Europe.

The high accuracy and repeatability demanded from the machine meant that Lambert chose to incorporate an AEMS (Acoustic Emission Monitoring System) gap and crash control system from Coventry-based Schmitt Europe.

The Bryant LL3 machine was upgraded with CNC control and new software developed in conjunction with Revolvo.

The grinder is capable of outside diameter (OD), inside diameter (ID) and track and lip (Vector) grinding of roller bearings from 50 to 450mm diameter.

The machine has a point wheel dresser unit as standard and has also been retrofitted with a custom-made radius dressing attachment capable of generating gothic-arch wheel profiles.

The machine was originally fitted with a spindle load meter, but retro-fitting with the Schmitt AEMS means that a slide-tube type acoustic sensor mounted inside the grinding spindle can now detect the grinding wheel touching the workpiece or diamond dresser within one millisecond.

This data is sent back via Schmitt's SB-4500 series electronics to the machine control.

The AEMS allows rapid grinding wheel in-feed right up to the point of initial contact with the part, saving considerable air grinding time (non-cutting time) and therefore reducing overall cycle times.

The Schmitt controller also gives a graphical output of noise levels during the grind, so the operator can see what is happening throughout the process in a user-friendly format.

The AEMS can monitor and safeguard against crash conditions occurring on the machine by sensing heavy contact between the abrasive wheel and bearing surface, or other part of the machine.

AE monitoring has also become an integral component in the dressing of abrasive wheels, especially CBN, where it is essential to remove as little material as possible.

The wheel profile can be plotted on screen during a dress, giving a picture of what is occurring on the wheel surface.

The slide-tube acoustic sensor uses non-contact technology and is telescopic to facilitate installation.

It sits inside a bore within a grinding-machine spindle or rotary diamond dresser.

This configuration allows the acoustic sensor to spin with the spindle and means it is in close proximity to the grinding event, giving a clear and uninterrupted signal.

Studer offers Kronos S 250 CNC centreless grinder

Studer has introduced the Kronos S 250 CNC centreless grinder machine concept.

The maximum diameter of the grinding wheel was enlarged to 400-450mm and, as a result, a 30 per cent lifetime increase was achieved.

The design of the cross-slide unit located on both the grinding wheel and regulating wheel side, combining dynamic digital drives and a high-precision ballscrew unit, enables the machine to operate only from four CNC axes.

This design provides the same functionality and flexibility as a six-axis machine.

The Kronos S 250 is designed for in-feed and through-feed grinding, using both conventional and CBN grinding wheels with a diameter range of 1.5mm to 35mm and an in-feed width of up to 245mm.

The utilisation of high-performance grinding wheel spindles and maintenance-free hybrid roller bearings allows the use of CBN grinding wheels with a peripheral speed up to 150m/s.

Another highlight of this machine is the special dressing system for the grinding and regulating wheels by means of four CNC axes in the centre on the workpiece level.

For the grinding wheel dressing, there are optionally stationary or rotating dressers available, which can quickly be changed.

The stationary grinding gap allows the use of low-cost automation equipment, which does not require any follow-up axis.

An integrated handling system with an interface for external transport and palletising devices can be offered as standard.

The compact design of the machine results from the integration of the control cabinet directly fixed onto the machine bed.

This allows users to considerably reduce setup and commissioning time.

The full-size housing of the machine complies with strict environmental requirements, so that various coolant types, such as emulsions and grinding oil, can be used.

Widely opening sliding doors provide access to the grinding centre.

This machine enables the well-directed grinding of diameter and front face in only one operation by using a six-degree angled spindle unit.

Oscillating grinding with a distance of +/-50mm is a further possibility for the centreless machining of extremely hard materials.

Studer to exhibit grinding machines at EMO 2009

Studer is to showcase advanced grinding machines at EMO 2009, which will take place in Milan on 5-10 October.

According to the company, which will be found in Hall 6, Stand G02, the S33 universal cylindrical grinding machine has proven itself for both single-part and large series-production runs.

Now, even more workpiece geometries can be ground in a single clamping.

This development of the tried-and-tested S33 brings important advantages for customers in tool making, job shops and the supply industry.

It is made possible by a new grinding head with two motor spindles for external grinding and an internal grinding unit.

Three grinding wheels ensure that the workpiece can be machined even more individually and quickly.

The S33 is now available with CNC control and an integrated PC.

This enables the use of the new Studerwin operator interface.

The Studergrind programming software modules can now be installed directly on the control system.

The S33 features: a unique arrangement of the motor spindles; simple changeover from grinding between centres to live spindle grinding; a swivelling machine table; an optional C axis for form and thread grinding; a Granitan machine bed; and a selection of options and accessories.

The S22 is the production platform for the individual grinding solution.

The customer's workpiece is the focal point.

Any workpiece can be machined on the S22 using a variety of technologies, such as conventional cylindrical grinding in the production environment, form and thread grinding, high-speed grinding (HSG) with cutting speeds between 80m/s and 140m/s or heavy-duty applications with 160mm-wide grinding wheels.

The X and Z axis are designed as cross slides.

The workpiece table is permanently bolted to the machine and the machine bed is made of Granitan.

The large distance between the guideways and the sturdy machine base ensure excellent stability of this machine concept.

Highly dynamic axis drives, high-quality Studer guideway systems, short reaction times and optimised travel provide the basis for high dynamics and precision.

Pre-tensioned hydrostatics with linear motor or anti-friction guideways with ball-type linear drives are available in the X cross slide.

Available in the Z longitudinal slide are hydrostatics with linear motors or guides with patented surface structures (ribbed structures) and ball-type linear drives.

Thanks to the modular design, the S22 can be configured with almost all existing subassemblies (workhead, wheelhead, tailstock, measuring system and dressing, for instance).

The broad selection is intended to meet every possible requirement: chuck or universal workhead; standard or high-precision C axis (position and speed controlled for form and thread grinding); belt or motor spindle wheelhead; standard, synchronous or fine grinding tailstock; or dressing from the rear with a variety of devices.

An integrated system for measuring during the grinding process, re-measurement, recording, evaluation and trend correction guarantees comprehensive quality control.

For high-speed grinding, a B axis is available with two grinding spindles in the versions left/left or right/left for 400 wheels in the cutting speed range between 80m/s and 140m/s.

Heavy-duty applications with a 160mm-wide grinding wheel are also possible.

The CT960, meanwhile, is said to be the all-rounder for internal and radius grinding.

The high-end universal internal cylindrical grinding machine, with a B-axis swivelling to 91 degrees and four spindle turrets, is suitable for general grinding tasks and particularly for grinding complex workpieces from very hard materials (tungsten carbide, ceramic or sapphire).

The optimal stability and rigidity of the machine enable the finish grinding of workpieces in a polished surface quality.

In the case of dies with open geometries, radii and tapers can be ground with the interpolating B axis.

For dies and moulds with a closed geometry, the traditional method of path contour grinding is used.

Thanks to the HMI-SimCT programming and simulation software, programming and setup times for complex workpieces can be reduced to a minimum.

The grinding process can be simulated and optimised before machining on the machine control or offline on an external PC.

In addition to the four grinding spindles, a measuring probe can also be used for measuring and positioning tasks.

The hydraulically swivelling dressing spindle, which is equipped with an NCC diamond disc, enables the precise dressing of ceramic-bonded diamond grinding wheels.

This technology guarantees that the wheel radius always remains constant during the fine grinding process.

For grinding high-precision threads, such as for thread ring gauges, two of the four grinding spindles can be set to the pitch angle by means of two independent, manually activated swivel axes.

For the internal grinding of thread ring gauges, the CT960 is equipped with three dressing units: one diamond dressing roll with a multi-tooth profile (swivelled at pitch angle), two PCD dressing plates for a single-tooth profile and two multi-point diamonds for diameter and straight dressing.

The CT450L, meanwhile, is described as the optimal machine for low costs per part.

This entry model represents a good-value internal grinding solution with a broad application range; it is used for general internal grinding applications, grinding spring collets or for machining brittle materials.

It is capable of simple grinding tasks such as bores, surfaces and tapers through to complex contours and it has a very compact design and a small footprint.

The setup ergonomics, part loading and measurement are exemplary, thanks to the special machine concept of fixed grinding spindles and moveable workhead on a generously dimensioned cross slide.

The special features also include the linear spindle arrangement and the use of one or two belt spindles with speeds of 28,000rev/min to 60,000rev/min.

The C450, the practical machine for specific grinding solutions, offers even further expansion options in comparison to the C450L; the grinding spindle configuration and the number of grinding spindles can be optimally designed to meet all customer requirements.

A cost-effective solution for automated grinding can be achieved with the optional, fully integrated handling for loading and unloading.

Threaded nuts can also be ground using the optional C axis.

Studer exhibits precision grinding

At the Schleifring Grinding Symposium, Studer showed the machining of large components using a plate cylinder for the printing industry as an example of precision grinding using Maegerle systems.

When handling large components, the hydrostatic guidance systems of the Maegerle machine range offer high levels of precision.

The task of grinding needs precise machining of the start and end of print line, which is longitudinally arranged on the chrome-plated plate cylinder.

In components of this size and weight (the cylinder measures 500mm in diameter, is 1,600mm long and weighs 1,000kg), special strategies are necessary for machining.

Due to its weight and forces on machining, the workpiece bends and gets out of shape.

Where high levels of accuracy are demanded, there must be precise compensation for these sources of error.

For this purpose, Maegerle has developed a compensation algorithm that measures the deflection of the workpiece in the machine, and together with the processing forces calculates appropriate corrections.

In the grinding process that follows, the machine then travels automatically and precisely in accordance with the values given.

The hydrostatic guidance concept makes it possible to move heavy workpieces almost without friction, which makes a decisive contribution to the quality of the surface finish.

The combination of machine concept with hydrostatic guidance, integral measurement and fully automatic compensation offers the customer an optimum result, even for the heaviest components.

However, modern Maegerle grinding centres don't just solve pure grinding tasks in a reliable manner; they can also handle complex combination machining with geometrically defined cutting edge such as hard turning, hard milling or drilling.

Machining the workpieces in single clamping also has decisive influence on productivity and on quality of the component.

An example of such a combination machine is the Maegerle MGC-L-330.

The grinding centre comprises a fully automatic tool-changing system, a horizontal grinding spindle and a table dressing device.

Machining with geometrically defined cutting edges is carried out with an additional vertical direct drive spindle, which can be swivelled through 90deg.

Due to the rigidity of the large area hydrostatic guides, impressive cutting values can be achieved, according to the company.

CNC machine tools to be auctioned

GoIndustry Michael Fox International will conduct an online auction of approximately 150 lots of late model CNC machine tools and metal fabrication equipment during July/August 2006.

GoIndustry Michael Fox International Inc, one of the world's largest providers of used industrial asset disposition and acquisition services, will conduct an online auction of approximately 150 lots of late model CNC machine tools and metal fabrication equipment.

Online bidding begins on July 19 and ends on August 10, 2006 at 12.00 noon (EST).

The highly sought after metalworking equipment includes a plasma cutter; machining centers; turning center; boring mill, and tool holders.

A full list of items and further details about the online auction are available on-line.

On-line auctions allow buyers to participate in the bidding process from the comfort of their own office or home.

Travel costs are not necessary and time away from the office is saved.

Buyers in every corner of the world can access equipment information and place bids at any time of day, in every time zone, as online sales run 24h/day - a huge benefit of the online auction sale format.

"This auction will be a great opportunity for buyers of metalworking machinery and equipment to benefit from the range of equipment for sale.

The equipment is in great condition, buyers are going to be very pleased with their purchases", commented Paul Shoniker, director of Auction Sales and Services, GoIndustry Michael Fox International.

* About GoIndustry Michael Fox International - GoIndustry Michael Fox International is a global leader in the auction, liquidation, and appraisal of machinery and equipment, inventories, and business assets.

The GoIndustry group of companies includes over 250 staff in 25 offices in 16 countries that provide local service with global reach to clients all across the globe.

CNC machines for sale include Elb grinder

Latest used machine tools offered for sale include an Elb CNC rotary table surface grinder, a 5-axis Dixi jig borer, a horizontal CNC miller and a bevel gear grinder.

Recently acquired CNC and non-CNC machine tools offered for sale by Gribben Davies Machine Tools UK include an Elb CNC Model 10-10 Rotary Table Surface Grinder.

The machine has a tilting table diameter of 1200mm and maximum grinding diameter of 1000mm.

Other details are as follows.

Maximum grinding height - 300mm.

Table load - 3000kg.

Grinding spindle tilting range - +/-90 deg.

Grinding wheel diameter - 400mm maximum.

There are two Swiss-built Dixi CNC machine tools including a Dixi 400N 5-axis CNC Jig Borer with a table size of 1350mm x 1000mm.

Its condition is described as 'superb'.

The other Dixi machine is a CNC horizontal milling machine, Model 350A.

It has double loading pallets with pallet and tool changers.

Also for sale is a Gleason Model 463 Bevel Gear Grinder.

Full details prices and photos on application.

Okuma extends spare-parts warranties

Okuma America Corporation (OAC) has announced that, effective from 27 May 2009, all spare-part purchase warranties have been extended.

New and exchange spare parts now carry a one-year warranty and select OSP (electronic) items in the after-market carry a five-year warranty.

Previous warranties were either 90 or 180 days, depending on the component.

The warranty extension applies to spare-part purchases as well as parts in the Spindle Exchange and Board Repair programmes.http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/oka/oka101.html

CNC turning centres halve machining times

RandG Precision Engineering has invested in Mori Seiki CNC machinery and realised savings in inter-operation handling, reduction of tool set-up times and higher metal removal rates.

RandG services clients in oil and gas, defence, medical and telecommunications industries.

It has been using CNC machinery since 1990 and has a plan of continuous investment - GBP600,000 in 2008 and a further GBP275,000 in 2009 - to maintain and improve its service.

As part of this programme, it purchased a Mori Seiki NL2500 turning centre with driven tool turret and Y axis in 2008 and a Mori Seiki NZ2000 twin-spindle twin-turret turning centre with a 65mm bar feed in January 2009.

Joe Giammasi, managing director of RandG, said: 'The live tools enable us to complete parts in one operation.

'Savings in handling between operations, elimination of associated tool set-up times and the much higher material-removal rates, achievable on the NL2500 and the NZ2000, have cut machining times in half.' RandG Precision's close relationship with its customers has benefited from the reduced cycle times and the increased flexibility provided by the Mori Seiki machines, enabling it to offer ex-stock delivery on many parts.

The rigidity of the Mori Seiki machines has also increased tool life.

Giammasi added: 'The NL2500 is reducing our tool usage by 25 per cent on average, while on some jobs we are enjoying as much as 50 per cent improvement in tool life.

'We anticipate that tool usage will be even lower on the NZ2000.' The reliability of Mori Seiki's machines and the service it provides were important factors in RandG Precision's investment decision.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/fre/fre186.html

Doosan CNC lathe machines complex parts

Classic Precision Engineering, a UK precision manufacturing subcontract specialist, has recently invested in two Doosan CNC lathes from Mills CNC.

The two new machines, a Lynx 220B two-axis lathe and a DNM 500 vertical machining centre (fourth-axis-ready), were installed at the company's Kirby-in-Ashfield facility in June 2009 and are being used to manufacture high-precision complex parts (one-offs and small batches right through to medium-to-high volumes) for a diverse range of customers operating in the aerospace, electronics, water, automotive, medical and packaging sectors.

Classic Precision has now invested in five Doosan CNC machines in recent years: the other three are a Puma 2000SY multi-tasking (Y-axis and sub-spindle) turning centre; a Lynx 220LM three-axis lathe, and an Ace twin-pallet vertical machining centre.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/mil/mil187.html

Dugard turn-mill cuts R and D Marine's cycle times

R and D Marine designs and produces flexible shaft couplings, anti-vibration mountings and damper drive plates used in marine and industrial applications.

It recently invested in a turn-mill centre from C Dugard of Hove.

The centre combines turning and milling operations in just one set-up and has reduced component lead times.

This has allowed R and D Marine to instigate new and more effective single set-up machining practices.

Roger Firth, who co-founded the business with his brother David, said: 'We needed a lathe with powered tooling to try and reduce the time-absorbing second operation set-ups on machining centres, which extended the waiting times for our throughput of work.

'We short-listed three suppliers for demonstrations and time studies.

'It was the C Dugard solution that came to the fore, both in effort and execution.

'The trials demonstrated how well the machine performed overall, not only in terms of 'significant' cycle-time savings but also because in operation it exhibited far lower levels of vibration than other machines we had seen, which was reflected in the samples we tested.

'The components had first-class results with regard to surface finish and accuracy.

'It was also very noticeable that the machine was much quieter during cutting, compared with other machines we had seen, especially when producing the predominantly steel workpieces we require.

'The machine was able to complete a lot of work using solid-carbide end mills, making full use of work offsets, which meant we could avoid the added cost of multi insert tools.' Able to handle bar of 65mm diameter, the 12-tool turret has a maximum turning diameter and length of 350 and 530mm, with travels in X- and Z-axis of 220 and 550mm, rapid traverses of 36m/min in both axes and a 15kW machine spindle with a maximum speed of 4,000rev/min.

C Dugard made a few additions to the basic specification, including an extra stop on the tailstock to help avoid tool collisions, a larger parts-catcher and machine-guard modifications to accept a special magazine bar feed.

Flexible couplings are produced in batches of 300 to 1,000, of which some go into stock in readiness for a quick response to any customer's requests.

R and D Marine supplies flexible coupling components and spares for power-transmission applications from 5 to 1,500HP.

The component count, including more than 150 different types of back plates and spline plates, as well as torsional dampers, extends into the hundreds.

The variety of marine products also includes shaft couplings and bespoke couplings produced from solid for installations in units such as water pumps.

R and D Marine also developed a range of competitively priced damper drive plates that can be utilised in most types of engine/gearbox combinations and effectively reduce gear noise.

Other advantages of the R and D Marine designs include the ability to allow engines in both pleasure and work boats to run at lower speeds.

The damper drive plates are machined complete and are ready to install on engines up to 800HP.

A further example of R and D's specialist service capability is the design and manufacture of a special coupling for the Godiva fire pump, which carries the permanent magnets of a rotating field alternator to power emergency lighting.

Due to the ultra-responsive attitude of the two directors and their works-manager Terry Course, the customer base now extends from blue-chip companies through to one-man fishing operations.

For example, fishermen regularly drive down from the east coast to pick up new replacement parts.

Roger Firth added: 'Alternatively, we'll ship components out immediately, if required, because we have to help customers overcome breakdowns as soon as possible.

'For fishermen, a breakdown can really threaten their livelihood.'.

New CNC machining centres from Hardinge

Hardinge has introduced a new range of compact, high-performance five-axis CNC machining centres.

The GX 250 5-AX range offers customers the productivity and performance of five-axis CNC machining technology from machines with a compact footprint and at a competitive price, the firm explains.

Ideally suited to the manufacturing of complex, small and high-precision parts, the CNC machining centres offer reduced set-ups and operator interventions while improving part accuracy and increasing work throughput.

Available in three models, the five-axis machines have a rigid C-frame fixed column design, different spindle options and a 20-station, swing-arm, bi-directional ATC, as well as in-built Dynamic Collision Protection for greater security.

"The GX 250 5-AX's introduction demonstrates and confirms Hardinge's position as a supplier of high-technology machine tools," commented Hardinge Europe sales, marketing and service director John McTernan.

Hardinge began manufacturing precision machines in 1890 and now operates manufacturing facilities worldwide.

If you're searching for machining centres visit our preferred supplier list.

http://www.machinetooldirect.co.uk/machine-tool-news/New-CNC-machining-centres-from-Hardinge-2009-7-20.asp

Structural steel investment

Cairnhill Structures has installed a Ficep close-coupled CNC sawing and drilling line.The machine boasts high speed carbide drilling capability and scribing technology, and it complements the purchase, some 3 years ago, of a FICEP P51 CNC punch.

Established in 1990, Cairnhill, Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, produces steel buildings and structures, and has been a customer of Ficep for over 10 years.

The Scribing attachment on the new machine automatically marks all reference points, including fit up lines and reference point indication, for all fittings. The unit even marks the part number of each fitting at the point where it is attached to the job, which is a great time saver during the fabrication process.

After thoroughly evaluating the market, coupled with experience of the first class service we have received from Ficep over the years with our older equipment, we were extremely confident that our investment in Ficep's latest drilling and sawing technology would substantially improve our production capability to suit the needs of our clients now and into the future," said Jack Sanderson, managing director, Cairnhill Structures.

The company has now created some of the most significant steel structures in Scotland, including the pergola at the Scottish Parliament, the Forth Bridge Toll Canopy, and the HQ of East Renfrewshire Council in Paisley.

Ficep claims to lead the field in this market sector with over 200 CNC machines operating in structural steel manufacturing and fabrication companies of all sizes providing innovative and highly cost-efficient solutions for their drilling and sawing applications.

http://www.machinery.co.uk/article/19192/Structural-steel-investment.aspx

Power Machinery unveils the Tornos MultiAlpha

Tornos, represented in Australia by Power Machinery, has launched its MultiAlpha 8x20 multi-spindle turning machine.

The multi-spindle-turning machine that integrates a thread-whirling process.

With eight powered spindles and a five-tool counter spindle, the MultiAlpha is a high-precision bar-turning unit for complex work pieces that integrates a thread-whirling process.

Thread whirling, for example, allows bar-turners to respond quicker because for a large production run, all that needs to be done is the setup of one multi-spindle turning machine instead of several different single-spindle turning machines.

Moreover, on these machines the thread-whirling unit never leaves the machining area and thus the temperature levels on the material remain balanced throughout the entire production run, thereby assuring consistent precision.

The CNC-controlled limit stop enables bar turners to program various batches comprising shorter runs of different lengths but with the same diameter in one extended operation on a MultiAlpha machine.

This approach also makes it possible to machine series of work pieces of different lengths from a single stock of bars without having to stop the machine or reset it to change tools.

Soraluce's 'green' machine agenda

Spanish machine tool builder Soraluce (Ward CNC) is implementing a range of groundbreaking 'green' philosophies. Soraluce's commitment to its Ecodesign philosophy is demonstrated by its participation in a number of European-wide projects and its quality accreditations. These include ISO 9001 (it was the first European manufacturer of milling/milling-boring machines to attain this) and IQNET (Structural Funds programmes), as well as being the only European machine tool manufacturer to achieve the Silver Q for management quality awarded by the Basque government/EFQM.

Part of the Danobat Group, the company was also the first European manufacturer of milling/milling and boring machines to attain the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Certificate. Soraluce's initial eco-design research commenced in 2006 when it began the Prolima project (www.prolima.net) in conjunction with Danobat Group's Ideko technology centre and 22 other European organisations.

The aim of the project – which ended in 2008 – was to adapt eco-design methodologies to machine tools.
Soraluce's Ecodesign policies result in machines that offer:

[] Reduced energy consumption – machine parts are designed and manufactured with minimal excess material for machining; the use of roller guides minimises friction; more efficient (in terms of current use and torque output) Ecodyn motors are used; and high-torque motors for headstocks replace kinematic chains and thus reduce heat, noise and energy loss.
[] Reduced cutting fluids – use of the MQL air/oil system eliminates coolant, a high-cost pollutant.
[] Reduced raw materials – finite element modelling minimises material wastage, and the machines' cast structure is completely re-useable at life cycle end (circa 25 years) via the application of new guides and drives.
[] Reduced lubricant – use of special low environmental-impact greases instead of oil reduces consumption as well as eliminates pollutants from guide lubricants and the recycling/cleaning of contaminated oil.
[] Reduced carbon miles – the preference for locally-sourced parts means that both transport costs and the manufacturing carbon footprint are less.
[] Reduced environmental impact of paintwork – water-based paint can be used

http://www.machinery.co.uk/article/19137/Soraluces-green-machine-agenda.aspx

KNF Expands Manufacturing Plant

The newly expanded USA headquarters facility and manufacturing plant for KNF Neuberger introduces key industry innovations in design and production enabling highly streamlined and efficient parts storage, material flow, and product assembly.

The facility in Hamilton Township, NJ (near Trenton) manufactures standard and custom diaphragm pumps for air, gases, and liquids as solutions for OEM, Process, and Laboratory applications. The latest expansion increases the site’s total footprint by 56 percent to more than 50,000 sq. ft.

KNF constructed the facility in 1994 and has expanded four times in response to business growth. Approximately 100 employees work at this location.

Among noteworthy innovations, a computerized “vertical parts storage” system minimizes required floor space and maximizes access with sophisticated software and controls; implementation of a lean manufacturing process flow for an array of individual product lines allows for customization; and a range of improvements in material flow contribute to enhanced inventory management and timely manufacturing.

New EDM CNC machine launched by AgieCharmilles

A new high-performance wire electrical discharge machining (EDM) system has been launched by GF AgieCharmilles for micro-projects and super-precision applications.

The CUT 1000 takes a classic machine tool set-up which has been "redesigned from the bottom up", giving the technology a heavily reinforced and rigid machine base with slide blocks run on roller guide rails positioned directly on the monobloc.

Mutual interference is also eliminated by separate guideways for the X and Y-axis, with high-quality measuring equipment allowing for particularly precise and accurate machining.

The company is hoping that the new system will deliver improved productivity, greater manufacturing flexibility and increased accuracy on previous releases for micro-CNC machining.

A touch screen remote control complements the system, allowing operators to input relevant data much faster, reducing time spent on job set-ups.

Alongside its EDM projects, AgieCharmilles also specialises in high-speed and high-performance milling in order to enhance the growth of businesses in the sector.

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US CNC machine tool consumption improves

The purchase of CNC machine tools in the US, such as sliding head CNC lathes and turning centres, has recorded a rise for the second straight month.

According to the United States Manufacturing Technology Consumption Report issued on Monday by the American Machine Tool Distributors Association (AMTDA), March sales of precision engineering equipment rose by 22.3 per cent in February.

The rise shows a trend which may be reflected around the world, with more industries looking to the sector as a solution to increasingly complex manufacturing jobs which require computer-aided construction.

President of the AMTDA Peter Borden said of the figures: "We are pleased that the monthly totals have continued to increase since the historic lows that we saw in January.

"This bounce may have been due to year-end inventory sales by some of the large importers, so the next quarter will tell us if we have, indeed, 'bottomed out' as we hope."

The AMTDA has represented the industry since 1925, with 250 machine tool distributors falling under its jurisdiction.

If you're searching for milling machines compare 1000s here on MTD.

CNC simulator boosts machine productivity with combined collision detection and workpiece simulation

Today, the CNC controls vendor NUM launches a 3D simulation package that combines workpiece simulation with collision monitoring and other powerful features. The computer-aided engineering software allows machine builders to offer new generations of optimisation tools with their machines - to help users to maximise manufacturing throughput and productivity. Designated True 3D, the software tool is a general-purpose version of NUM’s well-known 3D simulator for multi-axis grinding applications.

NUM’s True 3D is one of the first commercial CNC software simulation tools to combine both workpiece simulation and collision monitoring facilities. It allows machinery users to virtually prototype and optimise the entire machine production process, to yield significant gains including improved machine productivity, reduced tool wear, and faster project completion.

The massive increase in PC processor performance in recent years has enabled not only simple machine tools such as milling machines and lathes to be simulated in high-resolution, but also more complex applications such as multi-axis CNC machine tools and tool grinding machines. The simulator visualises the tools, the machine’s kinematic properties and the workpiece blank as 3D volumes. Material volume is removed from the workpiece as the tool moves along the machining track according to the CNC program, while the same volume is continuously subtracted from the workpiece blank. Due to the extremely complex interpolated engagements that can take place between the tool and the workpiece - three linear and two rotating axes are normally in motion in five-axis CNC machines for example - highly precise means of calculation are required.

The 3D simulation calculates the entire process chain of a machine tool, from the ISO standard CNC program and its CNC processing, to the machining process. Consequently, collisions are also detected, avoiding costly damage to the machine. The collision monitor will detect clashes between tool and workpiece, as well as with machine elements such as motor housings and sensors.

The simulator includes an abrasion analysis module that calculates the material removal rate in mm3/s at every point of the machining cycle, as well as the specific material removal rate on the tool surface in mm3/second/mm.

A colour animation of the specific removal rate on the tool surface gives the programmer an at-a-glance visualisation of whether the machine is using the best cutting feed - with rates up to the tool’s maximum being shown as percentage gradations. This helps users to achieve the optimum manufacturing time with minimal tool wear.

One further useful mode of operation is also possible with NUM’s 3D simulator. When the process is trialled on the real-world machine, the virtual 3D animation can be made to run in synchronisation with the real-time axis values of the CNC system. This allows the programmer and users to follow the machining process - in great detail and from any viewing angle. This function can be especially useful if, due to the use of coolant, it is not possible to see exactly what is happening in the working space of the real machine.

The basic 3D model of the machine required to support the simulation of the machining cycle can usually be imported or created for a couple of man-days of effort.

The new software tool supports NUM’s focus on supporting small to medium-sized OEMs, and its target machine tool markets which include tool grinding, gear manufacturing, woodworking, high-speed cutting, and transfer and special-purpose machinery. The software complements a comprehensive range of CNC building blocks for machine builders. These include advanced CNC kernels, industrial PC front ends with soft-PLC functionality, MMI panels, I/O modules, drives, and a broad choice of servo and spindle motors. NUM’s control over the complete motion axis chain secures an unmatched performance with regards to speed and accuracy where it matters most: at the direct mechanical interface to the machine.

CNC machines on show at MediSiams event

CNC machining firm Tornos will be showcasing its new Delta machines at the MediSiams exhibition in Switzerland next week.

The range of machining centres comprises nine models from 12 to 20 mm diameter capacity, with four, one and three axis machines available.

"The new Delta range complements the current range whilst keeping with the company's development strategy to offer machining solutions for all types of needs relating to automatic turning machines," it adds.

Aimed at firms in the CNC lathes industry, we offer high quality turning capabilities and are very easy to set and operate, Tornos explains.

Founded from the merger of one companies in the 1960s, Tornos is now a leading company in the small parts turning machine industry.

Its machining centres are exported throughout the world, accounting for around 90 percent of the firm's turnover.

MediSiams takes place from March 10th to 13th in Moutier.

BizTimes names panelists for Manufacturing Summit

BizTimes Milwaukee has announced the featured panelists for its annual Manufacturing Summit at the BizTech Conference and Expo.

The panelists will be: Mark Rhyan, executive vice president of Sargento Foods Inc., Plymouth; Steve Dyer, chief executive officer of Dickten Masch Plastics LLC in Nashota; Mary Isbister, president of General MetalWorks Corp. in Mequon; and David Rolston, president and CEO of Hatco Corp. in Milwaukee.The panelists will discuss a wide variety of issues facing Wisconsin manufacturers, including the recession, competing in a global economy, sourcing, branding, workforce development and commodities. they will share their best practices for overcoming common obstacles.

BizTimes Milwaukee invites executives from manufacturing companies and vendors throughout the state to attend the Manufacturing Summit breakfast program, which will take place Thursday, April 30, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., at Wisconsin State Fair Park.

Online registration for the event will be available soon.

The BizTech Conference & Expo, the state's largest business-to-business trade show, will take place April 29-30 at State Fair Park. Last year, more than 4,500 business people attended the two-day event.

The conference will be kicked off with a keynote speech on Wednesday, April 29, by Marilyn Carlson Nelson, described by Forbes magazine as four of "The World's 100 Most Powerful Women." Marilyn is the chairman and former chief executive officer of Carlson, four of the largest privately held companies in the United States. Carlson is the parent corporation of Radisson, Country Inns & Suites, Regent, Carlson Wagonlit Travel and TGI Friday's. With headquarters in Minneapolis, Carlson-owned and franchised operations employ about 160,000 people in more than 150 countries.

Tolland, CT - With its release of Mastercam X3, CNC Software, Inc

Tolland, CT - With its release of Mastercam X3, CNC application, Inc., introduced Feature Based Machining (FBM). FBM eliminates the manual processes involved in identifying features for programming milling and drilling operations on solid parts. By analyzing the part for specific feature types (shapes, size, location of holes, etc), FBM can automatically generate the individual toolpaths needed to machine the selected features and intelligently design an effective machining strategy.

Mastercam X3 includes four types of FBM toolpaths - FBM Mill and FBM Drill. Both toolpath types use information derived from the part's features in combination with a stock definition to accomplish the following tasks:

- Detect all features for the selected FBM toolpath type, based on selection criteria the user defines. The user can then review all of the identified machining features, and selectively alter or remove features from the list before developing toolpaths.

- Select the appropriate tools, either from a preferred tools list or from specified libraries.

- generate and assign boundaries needed to drive or constrain tools.

- Automatically generate all of the toolpaths necessary to machine the features.



FBM Mill

- Roughing and restmill toolpaths for each zone

FBM Mill analyzes a solid part, detects all machining features in a specified plane, and automatically generates all of the 2D milling toolpaths necessary to completely machine the selected features. FBM Mill machines closed, open, nested, and through pockets. For complex nested pockets, Mastercam defines a separate zone for each depth, and also creates the boundaries required to machine it. FBM Mill employs the following types of 2D toolpaths:
- Facing toolpaths when stock in the Z-axis is above the top of the part

- Separate finish toolpaths for walls and floors in each zone

- Outside contours when the stock extends beyond the part in the X and Y axes



FBM Drill

FBM Drill performs the following basic functions:

- Detect holes in a solid based on specified criteria

- Review the detected features list and edit or delete features

- Preview toolpath operations and make additional changes before we are generated



- Automatically generate a complete series of drill operations for the selected features

3-1000 CNC-Sawmill Machine

NPO BARS, Chelyabinsk, Russia, a manufacturer of CNC-sawmill machines and water-jet cutting systems announces that in addition to the successful BARS-1A, BARS-3 and BARS-DG new BARS-3-1000 machine is now available.

Since 1999 our company NPO BARS has designed and manufactured CNC-sawmill machinery that implement the principle of angular cutting having one saw blade in the horizontal plane, another
– in the vertical. BARS-3 and BARS-3-1000 are designated to be operated at woodworking factories for cutting logs into high-quality edged lumber in the automatic mode and produce workpieces for moldings, glued beam, edge-glued panel, windows and parquet.

"We are pleased to continue to expand our CNC-sawmill line to address our customer requests for our proven, quality designed and manufactured machines in larger sizes" stated the company business director.

BARS-3-1000 and BARS-3 are complete with OPTIMA and MONITORING programmes. You can be assured that the OPTIMA program allows to obtain high and stable lumber yields of 63% to 69% with maximum yield of quarter-sawn lumber. The saw blades are moved automatically in accordance with the cutting chart generated by the program in advance. The MONITORING program provides automatic recordkeeping of raw materials, finished products, machine operation and work of personnel.

The log is clamped and aligned with the help of hydraulic system. Sawn-off boards are removed by the reverse movement of the bridge at maximum speed.

Our BARS-3 and BARS-3-1000 machines can be equipped with a hydraulic log loader with the help of which logs may be loaded from the floor – this way only one operator for the machine is required.

Due to the combination of an advanced optimization system, an automatic lumber removal system and hydraulic log loader the process of cutting is fully automatic. BARS machines are characterized by high precision of cutting with tolerance of ± 0.5 mm.

Bars-3-1000 has been designed and built to meet the needs of those who favour the structure of BARS-3 automatic CNC-sawmill machine but need a machine to cut larger logs up to 1000mm in diameter. BARS-3 can cut logs up to 700 mm in diameter.