Expansion at Angloco

The UK’s oldest manufacturer of firefighting vehicles – based in Batley – is readying itself for the biggest recruitment drive in its 54-year history, as the team prepares for its largest ever period of growth.

Established in 1965, firefighting and rescue vehicle specialist Angloco has already doubled production levels in the past 18 months, with 2017-18 turnover of £13m looking set to rocket to £25m by the end of 2020. But with the uplift showing no sign of slowing, the 90-strong team now needs at least another 12 employees by December 2019, with more vacancies undoubtedly on the horizon for the following year.
For further information www.angloco.co.uk

Parting-off system available from Floyd

The Evocut-Line parting system has been introduced to the UK market by Floyd Automatic Tooling. This parting and grooving product from Switzerland-based Applitec incorporates a compact design, simplified insert changeovers and compatibility with platen-type tooling configurations. According to Floyd Automatic, the system is suited to use in compact work envelopes, such as those found in sliding-head turning centres.

Evocut-Line is available with the H series monobloc tool holder, the H Jet series with integrated through-coolant supply, and the HK, HK-RS, HUK and HM designation of parting-off blades. Applitec’s Evocut HK series is a generic parting-off blade, whereas the HK-RS incorporates a recess for sub-spindle access. HUK blades have been designed for upside-down parting, while the HM is a short-length, modular-blade system.
The H-series and H Jet series tool holders are available with 10, 12, 16 and 20 mm square shanks to accommodate everything from compact tool platens in sliding-head turning centres, through to more robust fixed-head machine tooling platforms.
Applitec’s Evocut-Line is offered in four insert widths of 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3 mm that are capable of machining up to a maximum 44 mm depth of cut. These ET15, ET20, ET30 and ET40 designations are available with Applitec’s U, J, T and A-style geometries that are said to improve speeds, feeds, material removal flow and surface finishes, while catering to the specific characteristics of various material types, including stainless steel, carbon and alloy steel, titanium, aluminium alloy, copper, bronze, and plastics.
The respective insert dimensions and geometries are available with no fewer than six grades, which include PVD and CVD-coated inserts, as well as uncoated grades for non-ferrous materials. An option is available for high-pressure coolant delivery.
For further information www.floydautomatic.co.uk

Reseller agreements

Dreambird says that three new Hexagon Production Software resellers were acquired to represent the solutions in Russia and Central Asia. During the current quarter of 2019, reseller agreements were signed with Finval, Glanol and Alcor.

Dreambird is constantly working towards expanding its reseller network, looking to increase Hexagon Production Software’s presence in CIS markets and inform users about the benefits and possibilities of the products for manufacturing.
For further information www.dreambird.eu

Holtex gets a grip on precision

Founded in the summer of 2014, Holtex Engineering Solutions provides prototype and small quantity production parts. Utilising the latest technology, the Holmfirth-based company aims to be a one-stop supplier.

“We’ve grown gradually since we formed the business and now have 10 employees,” says Ben Robinson from Holtex. “We have an ethos of investing in new technology and this includes some of the latest multi-axis turning machines, as well as three- and five-axis mills. This technology is supported by high-quality tooling that is complemented by the Haimer Power Clamp special edition heat-shrink system for the milling section, and the Haimer UNO20/40 Microset tool pre-setter for the turning department.
“The reason we invested in Haimer is because a lot of the jobs we do are relatively high precision and we’re using quite delicate tooling at times,” continues Robinson. “Additionally, the machinery we have is only as good as the tooling we use, and the more accurate our tooling, the better off we are from the start.”
As a further point, a lot of the smaller and more delicate tooling used at Holtex means the company is producing profiles that are not possible to measure with normal methods – CMM technology would be required. However, with the Haimer system, Holtex can accurately set diameters and check the run-out of tooling, which means that the company can check the part before it goes to the inspection department.
“Now we’re setting tools off the machine and for longer run jobs,” says Robinson. “We’re also setting the next tool while existing tools are running on the machine, which reduces downtime. In addition, the tooling is lasting considerably longer as it’s running at much-improved accuracy and run-out. The system is very easy to use; with 10 minutes of training anyone can use Haimer solutions.”
For further information www.haimer.biz

Robotics company launched by Endoline

To meet the growing demand for fully automated end-of-line systems, which increasingly require robotic solutions, Endoline Machinery has launched a sister company – Endoline Robotics Ltd (ERL) – and formed a strategic partnership with FANUC UK.

The move reinforces Endoline’s expertise as a provider of case erecting and sealing automation and, through the strength of the FANUC brand, will now manage the installation of robotic palletising systems under the umbrella of ERL.
For further information https://endoline-automation.com/