Top grades for hard-part turning

Sandvik Coromant is releasing two grades for interrupted hard-turning operations: CB7125 and CB7135. Available immediately, the grades complete the company’s offer for hard turning, complementing the existing CB7105 and CB7115 grades.

The latest Sandvik Coromant grades provide the ability to perform medium-to-heavy interrupted cuts and remove the hardened layer (depth of cut up to 2 mm) in case- and induction-hardened steel components, typically for the automotive industry. Here, CB7125 and CB7135 offer longer and more consistent tool life, good levels of surface finish and consistent dimensional tolerances, says the company.
CB7125 and CB7135 are optimised for turning steel materials with a hardness of 58-62 HRc. Designed for medium intermittent cutting, CB7125 features a newly developed PVD coating that provides improved wear and fracture resistance for extended tool life. This grade, which contains medium CBN content, is suitable for the turning of shaft splines and shafts with chamfered oil holes or pockets. Further applications include the facing of gears, the hard-to-soft turning of crown wheels, and the removal of hardened layers.
The CB7135 grade is pitched at the longitudinal turning of gears and shafts with un-chamfered keyways or pockets, as well as CV joint components such as the inner/outer race and cage. Featuring a high CBN content, the grade is said to offer high fracture resistance and predictable machining results.
Available for T-Max P, CoroTurn 107 and CoroTurn TR tooling systems, the grades come in both positive and negative basic shapes, with various edge preparations.
For further information www.sandvik.coromant.com

Creaform opens in Spain

Creaform, a specialist in portable 3D measurement solutions and engineering services, has opened a new office in Barcelona, Spain.

Local staff have been in place since July, responding to increasing demand for metrology systems and services from the Spanish market, especially the automotive and aerospace sectors. Spain is the world’s eighth largest automobile producer and the second largest European car manufacturer. As for its buoyant aerospace industry, the country ranks eighth in the world and fifth in Europe in terms of turnover.
For further information www.creaform3d.com

Tool of the year

Contour360 has been announced as the first ever Anca Tool of the Year award winner with its creative and eye-catching cutter.

Charles Day, vice president and general manager, says: “While this recognition speaks to the craftsmanship of our toolmakers, it also makes a tremendous statement to the craftsmanship of the grinding machine maker [Anca] and the support provided.” The prize is a trip for two to Anca’s headquarters in Melbourne, Australia to see first-hand how the technology is created and meet the team who are dedicated to finding even better solutions for customers.
For further information www.anca.com

Haas sells 200,000th machine

Haas Automation has announced the installation of its 200,000th CNC machine, a UMC-750SS universal machining centre, which has been installed at Vineburg Machining in Carson City, Nevada.

“This is our seventh Haas five-axis UMC, and they have been a game changer for us,” says Gerd Poppinga, operations manager at Vineburg. Scott Gasich, Haas sales and marketing, adds: “The Installation of the 200,000th machine coincides with our 30th anniversary, providing proof that the combination of value, performance, reliability and support is just as important today as it was in 1988.”
For further information www.haascnc.com

Boeing contract seals record year for MetLase

A mechanical engineering specialist is celebrating a record-breaking year after securing a landmark contract with Boeing.

MetLase, which is a joint venture between Rolls-Royce and Unipart, has been announced as the tooling and fixture partner for Boeing’s new Sheffield facility in a deal that will initially increase the workforce by 15%.
The company will use its 3D design capabilities, laser-cutting technology, and patented assembly and joining systems to create lightweight, optimised machining fixtures that will hold 11 different castings used in the production of actuation system components for the 737, 767 and 777 passenger jets. This contract is the latest in a line of new business wins that mark a 70% annual increase in sales for the Sheffield-based firm.
For further information www.metlase.com