Mastercam accepts Widia Novo

Widia’s online platform, which is available in the UK from Industrial Tooling Corporation (ITC), now allows tool assemblies to be directly imported by users of Mastercam, credit to a newly formed collaboration. The partnership between Widia and CNC software developer Mastercam provides a solution that enables information importing from Novo directly into Mastercam 2018.

Previously, manufacturers may have complained of having to search through large and complex catalogues to find related tools, then having to request or build assemblies from scratch for use in systems such as Mastercam.
The integration of Widia Novo and Mastercam allows end users to save significant time searching for the desired tools and building 3D tool assemblies that can be brought directly into the CAM software for easy use by most machine shops. Accurate tool definitions are a critical factor in modern CAM applications, and tool-path algorithms take advantage of these definitions to provide safe and efficient motion. In addition, the models imported from Widia Novo help to generate accurate in-process stock models that can be leveraged in subsequent operations.
“One of the promises of digitisation in manufacturing is greater precision and speed through effective data use,” says Chris Merlin, director of portfolio commercialisation at Widia. “This is where integration is a must. Users want their systems to work together seamlessly via simple solutions, without extra effort on their part. By connecting Mastercam and Widia Novo, users can effortlessly join cutting-tool data with machining data. The 3D models, drawings and starting parameters are easily available for validation and programming processes. All this leads to less misapplication of tooling solutions, more optimal machining strategies, and increased productivity with better quality in the manufacturing environment.”
For further information www.itc-ltd.co.uk

Open evening

The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry is hosting an opening evening for the engineers of the future to come and look at the record number of apprenticeship opportunities available at its Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre (AMTC).

The event will be held on 25 February between 17:00 and 19:00, and pupils, parents, career advisers, teachers and college staff are all welcome. The AMTC, on the MTC campus, plans to recruit more than 100 apprentices to start in September 2020, with a further 100 at its Oxford Advanced Skills training centre near Abingdon. A further open evening will be held on 23 April.
For further information https://the-amtc.co.uk/

Ward Hi-Tech supplies large bed mill

Ward Hi-Tech has supplied and installed a large Kiheung KNC-U1200N universal bed mill from stock to a major multinational company in Ireland.

The machine, which has a fully automatic universal head, Heidenhain control, 4100 mm X axis, 1250 mm Y axis and 1350 mm Z axis, also has a 24-station ATC (automatic tool changer) and through-spindle coolant.
With its ability to accommodate parts weighing up to 10 tonnes on the table, the Kiheung KNC-U1200N is purposely designed for heavy-machining operations. Ward Hi-Tech reports that the machine is now up and running and exceeding the customer’s performance expectations.
For further information www.wardhitech.co.uk

Guhring tools in the spotlight

At last week’s Southern Manufacturing 2019 exhibition, cutting-tool manufacturer Guhring gave exhibition premieres to a number of recently introduced products. For instance, the company showcased its high-performance line of end mills and the latest addition to its hole-making portfolio.

Notably, visitors had the opportunity to investigate the latest Guhring RF Speed milling range that has been developed for the machining of tough materials. The latest arrivals are the RF100 5-Speed and RF100 7-Speed solid-carbide end mills.
The increased tooth number of the five-fluted 5-Speed and seven-fluted 7-Speed generates high metal removal rates with stable process reliability, even when processing difficult-to-machine materials, says Guhring. Providing high-performance roughing at high cutting depths, the two ranges are said to maximise feed-rate parameters when applying large metal removal rates. As part of the Guhring Trochoidal Cutting (GTC) series, the RF100 5-Speed and RF100 7-Speed are suitable for machining tough stainless steels, special alloys and a variety of steel and cast-iron grades.
Alongside the RF Speed milling series was the RT100XF, the latest in a long line of performance drilling products from Guhring. Created to reduce cycle times for difficult-to-machine materials and special applications in series production, the hard drilling line is said to be resilient to potential breakages. This claim is based upon a newly developed carbide grade developed by Guhring that performs a balancing act between hardness and toughness.
The design and geometry of the RT100XF supports the robust performance of the carbide grade and surface treatment with an early double-margin support that aids coaxiality to ensure bore size and roundness are achieved. Available in 5xD and 7xD, the drills can be purchased in diameters from 3 to 20 mm diameter, in 0.1 mm increments.
For further information www.guhring.co.uk

Plug and play digital adjustment system

Rigibore’s digital adjustment system, Smartbore allows the precise setting of fine-boring tools without the need to unclamp/clamp, thereby eliminating the negative impact of conventional tool adjustment.

“On many high-value components, the difference between perfect and scrap is often a matter of microns; scrap parts are expensive in terms of material and the loss of valuable machining time, impacting heavily on a company’s bottom line,” says Roger Bassett, chairman of Rigibore. “Until now, the conventional method of fine adjustment meant unclamping the boring tool, making the adjustment, re-clamping and taking a test cut. This process requires skilled operators, is time consuming and is never guaranteed to give you a true size adjustment, meaning further test cuts or, worse, scrap parts.”
Rigibore’s design sees Smartbore tools positively pre-loaded in the opposite direction to the cutting force. The result is that accurate adjustment, by as small a movement as 0.001 mm on diameter, is achieved with no measurable backlash. This rigid design allows operators to ‘plug and play’ by inserting the handheld Smartbore adjuster, delivering incremental diameter changes and then removing the adjuster to guarantee right-first-time precision.
The Smartbore adjuster displays the adjustment reading on the LCD, allowing fine tolerances to be set by operators of all skill and experience levels. Tools can therefore be quickly and accurately adjusted in the machine spindle with minimum downtime and in the knowledge that the adjustment requested is the adjustment made.
Smartbore can be applied to a range of designs, including finishing cartridges and a boring head known as Smartbore Nano.
For further information www.rigibore.com