Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of Doosan machine tools in the UK and Ireland, has introduced two Doosan five-axis machining centres.

The two machines – the DVF 6500 (650 mm diameter table) and the larger capacity DVF 8000 (800 mm diameter table) – are from the same stable as the Doosan DVF 5000 machine that was launched 18 months ago.
Both machines are compact and have a rigid structure for increased accuracy, improved surface finish and greater process reliability. The new models boast 45 m/min rapid traverse rates and are equipped with oil-cooled, directly-driven BT40 spindles (up to 22 kW/18,000 rpm) to suit 3+2, 4+1 or full five-axis simultaneous machining.
Also featured are servo-driven automatic tool changers (up to 120 tools) with a 1.3 second changeover time, roller LM guideways and direct-drive rotary tilting tables (A axis = +120/-120°; C axis = 360°).
The DVF 6500 and DVF 8000 machines are available with a choice of control (Fanuc 31iB5, Heidenhain TNC640 or Siemens 840D with ShopMill software), and are supplied with thermal compensation systems and a long-life, grease lubrication system. A collision protection system can also be offered
as an option.
There are some differences, however. The DVF 6500 and DVF 8000 have different-sized travels (DVF 6500 = 750 x 785 x 600 mm; DVF 8000 = 1000 x 900 x 685 mm) and different table loads (up to 1000 and 1400 kg respectively).
Within the DVF 8000 range a specific ‘Turning’ model can also be specified. The DVF 8000T, with its integrated function, has the same technical specification as the DVF 8000 in most respects, except for a lighter maximum table load (700 kg) and a faster C-axis feed rate (600 rpm).
For further information www.millscnc.co.uk

The micro-machining capabilities offered by a Bumotec machining centre have recently been demonstrated by AMRC engineers who used the Swiss-made mill-turn machine to reproduce a series of tiny brass portraits of Queen Elizabeth II.

Indeed, the intricate detail of Her Majesty’s head can only be seen clearly through a powerful microscope.
It is a major achievement for University of Sheffield AMRC engineers Emma Parkin and Joe Thickett, who wanted to create the miniature artwork to demonstrate the AMRC Machining Group’s capabilities with the goal of bolstering industry knowledge on micro-machining to help UK firms win business.
Supplied by Starrag UK, the Bumotec s191 – one of eight Starrag machines in-situ at the AMRC and its sister centre, the Nuclear AMRC – was used by Parkin and Thickett to produce four highly-detailed Queen’s heads with diameters of 11.2, 7, 2.8 and 1.4 mm, on a single circular piece of 25 mm diameter brass. The pair used Sandvik micro-end-mills to achieve the basic shape of the design before switching to tiny ball-nose cutters – the smallest of which was just 0.2 mm diameter – for detailed contouring.
“We wanted to show our partners and wider industry what is achievable; that we can work to an accuracy of 0.001 mm on workpieces as small as 1.5 mm, and maintain detail,” says Parkin.
She is hoping the ‘coin’ demonstrator will lead to further micro-machining R&D and commercial projects for the AMRC.
“At the moment, when people come to the AMRC, and here to Factory of the Future, what they generally see are massive aerospace components and huge machines. I want people to also say ‘wow, the AMRC can make some really small parts, let’s work with them’.”
For further information www.starrag.com