Automation breakfast

Flexible and cost-effective automation is the topic of the very first RARUK Automation breakfast event at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Milton Keynes on 11 June.

Between 08:30 and 11:00, attendees can drop in to consider with the experts how and why the products and systems sold by RARUK Automation in the UK can be freely combined to provide a solution for any given application. Brands offered by the company include Universal Robots, MiR, Robotiq, Pick-it, and, following its recent addition to the portfolio, EffiMat (automated storage solutions).
For further information https://rarukautomation.com/demo-events

Mazak names open house dates

Yamazaki Mazak has released dates for the company’s specialist ‘Manufacturing Solutions Now’ open house at its European Technology Centre in Worcester.

The event, which will run from 11 to 13 June and will include 22 machines in total, is set to focus on entry-level machines, Siemens controls and laser cutting. There will also be guest talks from McLaren Applied Technologies and Concorde.
Alan Mucklow, managing director – Sales UK, says: “This specialist open house taking place in what is our 100-year anniversary aims to provide solutions to the productivity issue, which is the top priority for British manufacturers. From state-of-the-art machines through to machine-tending solutions, robotics and lasers, we will demonstrate that productivity does not need to come at a high price and that there’s a solution for every type and size of machine user, from a tier-one aerospace supplier through to a growing and ambitious subcontractor.”
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk/NOW

Partnership between OGP and Verus

OGP UK and Verus Metrology Partners have shaken hands on a formal partnership designed to help customers improve their production processes.

The deal will see all bespoke jigs and fixtures for OGP UK supplied by Verus Metrology Partners, alongside an agreement for OGP UK to supply V-FIX – the modular metrology fixture product from Verus – for non-bespoke fixture solutions.
Following the inception of Verus in 2008, the company’s relationship with OGP UK has been critical to its success in establishing a global customer base. From its headquarters in Sligo, Ireland, and a laboratory in Nottingham, the business designs and manufactures metrology fixtures and performs subcontract measurement for clients in medical device manufacture, the consumer goods industries, and the aerospace and automotive sectors.
Verus owns and operates 13 OGP SmartScope machines from the CNC and ZIP ranges, using them to provide customers with metrology fixture and programme packages, and helping to accelerate new product introductions.
UK operations director for Verus, Jon Banner, says: “We’ve used OGP from day one and the majority of our key clients also have OGPs. The optics, I believe, are best-in-class. With optical measurement, if you can see something, you can measure it. We often find that the accuracy can comfortably be sub-micron, and we rely on the machines to measure with repeat accuracy every day.
“We’re delighted that we’ve signed a partnership agreement with OGP UK for the supply of V-FIX,” he continues. “V-FIX was designed predominantly around OGP SmartScope capabilities; it allows light through so that the optics are easy to use. It also holds the parts firmly so you can actually use touch probes as well, making it a full multi-sensor metrology kit.”
For further information www.ogpuk.com

Blum’s demonstration room proves hit

The demonstration room at the Burton-on-Trent headquarters of Blum Novotest UK has been upgraded to feature all of the company’s technology, including the recently launched Digilog family.

A Bridgeport GX710 vertical machining centre, fitted with Fanuc 0i control, is now available for existing and potential clients to see real-time demonstrations of in-machine measurement.
“Initially, the purpose of the machine was for the development of our UK engineers, so they could quickly get up to speed with the products and software being introduced,” explains Nathan Baulk, engineering manager. “This means, when we interact with customers, we know exactly how the Blum technology can help their business, and support fast installation, servicing and maintenance.
“We quickly realised, however, that we could use the facilities to let manufacturers see the performance of the products first-hand, before they invest,” he continues. “This has proven very popular, and we’ve even had clients bringing their own parts along so they can witness the improvements in speed and accuracy on an actual production component. The confidence this gives them to make the investment is huge.”
Blum-Novotest is commencing an ambitious roll-out of newly developed technology and products this year, and has strengthened its team with the appointment of a dedicated technical sales engineer. Paul Hodgkinson brings with him an extensive network of contacts and more than 11 years’ experience working in the industrial automation and machine tool sectors. He will be responsible for working with the sales team to better understand the requirements of subcontractors and the support they require to make the most of Blum’s in-machine measuring technology.
For further information www.blum-novotest.com

Wenzel and Renishaw collaborate

The Equator gauging system from Renishaw is to be controlled with Wenzel’s WM Quartis metrology software for programming and evaluation purposes. The move comes as part of a co-operation deal between the two companies and will be incorporated into the Wenzel product portfolio.

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“Many thousand Equator test units are already in use throughout the world, enabling high repeatability and thermally robust process monitoring on the shop floor,” says Rainer Lotz, vice president EMEA of Renishaw. “A direct connection to the Wenzel software is an import extension of our solutions for users within the shop-floor area.”
Bastian Luithardt, Renishaw product manager, adds: “Workpiece data recorded by Equator is used for automatically updating the tool offset of the respective machine tool. The Equator concept, which enables flexible and newly programmable measurements, is optimal for use in an automated environment. A stable manufacturing process and continuous documentation therefore results for every workpiece.”
At the same time, Wenzel is launching another compact portal measurement machine for direct production use. The SF55 CMM, like the bigger SF87, offers high travel speeds and acceleration, while its corrosion-free guideways are made of high-precision, hand-finished granite. Indeed, the guideways are completely covered and protected against contamination, while the controller and PC are integrated in the machine for a minimal footprint.
The SF55 CMM has passive vibration damping and can be equipped with active vibration isolation. Due to the good accessibility and ‘Wenzel automation interface’, the shop-floor measurement system is suitable for automation and integration into the production line.
“After the success of our SF87 CMM, the more compact SF55 is the logical response to the requirements of the shop floor,” says Dr Heike Wenzel, managing director of the Wenzel Group.
For further information www.wenzel-group.com