CNC Robotics celebrates 10 years

CNC Robotics, a supplier of robots for machining applications, recently celebrated its 10th anniversary by opening a second site in Liverpool and recruiting five extra staff.

The addition of the second site will enable a clearer separation of the company’s business in the supply of standard cells for single functions, typically trimming or drilling, and its R&D projects for more challenging applications.
Along with the five new recruits, the management team has been strengthened with the recent promotion of Philippa Glover to managing director and the addition of former Autodesk and Delcam director Bart Simpson as the company’s non-executive chairman. The expansion follows an increase in turnover of more than 30% during 2019, with CNC Robotics on course for even higher growth this year.
For further information www.cncrobotics.co.uk

Renishaw joins AM post-processing project

Renishaw is collaborating with UK start-up business Additive Automations as part of a project to automate the post-processing of metal parts made by additive manufacturing (AM).

Using collaborative robots (cobots) for support structure removal could reduce the average cost per part by 25%, furthering AM’s potential as a cost-effective option for large-volume production lines. Called ‘Separation of Additive-Layer Supports by Automation’ (SALSA), the project aims to use robotics and deep learning to digitalise some of the few remaining manual processes left in AM.
Additive Automations is a Sheffield-based start-up that creates robotic systems for use in AM processes. Renishaw has already provided four examples of AM builds for medical, oil and gas, automotive, and mechanical engineering applications. Testing its robotic system on parts already being used in industrial applications will help Additive Automations demonstrate the potential of its support structure removal system.
For further information www.renishaw.com

Stockholder upgrades operational performance

Since 1995, an automated storage tower manufactured by Kasto has been installed at stockholder Heine + Beisswenger, underpinning fast, punctual delivery of an extensive range of steels to customers. However, 25 years of constant operation had impacted performance and availability, so Kasto recently updated the Unitop storage system with a comprehensive retrofit.

The Kasto Unitop automatic cassette system measures 68 m long by 13 m, with space for 1300 cassettes, each of which can hold 4 tonnes of material up to 7 m long.
A feature of the system is the storage and retrieval machine (SRM), which automatically removes a cassette containing the required material and transfers it to a carriage that then makes the stock available at ground level at one of two storage and retrieval stations.
During the retrofit at Heine + Beisswenger, Kasto replaced the existing S5 system control with a modern Siemens Simatic S7 400 PLC and updated the drive controllers, as well as the SRM’s positioning sensors and Profinet connection. The hoisting gear was given an efficient, three-phase drive, while the power supply to the SRM and carriage was renewed to improve reliability.
Another modernisation task was the replacement of the carriage that receives the cassettes and delivers them to the storage and retrieval stations at the front of the Unitop.
The carriage now has two roller conveyors instead of one to allow simultaneous handling of two cassettes. Additionally, the longitudinal travel speed of the new carriage is twice as fast, at 120 m/min, increasing efficiency further. According to the company, 35 seconds is saved per storage and retrieval cycle.
Retrofit works were completed in just two weeks.
The storage facility is now controlled and managed by KASTOlogic warehouse management software, which is connected to the MRP system at Heine + Beisswenger.
For further information www.kasto.com

3D-printed parts for E-Type jaguars

Eagle, a restorer of the classic Jaguar E-Type car, has announced a partnership with Graphite Additive Manufacturing Ltd to use HP’s Jet Fusion 4200 3D-printing solution for the production of custom parts.

According to Eagle, the company has already seen a huge increase in quality, cost-effectiveness and efficiency after switching to HP’s 3D printing from other additive processes.
Since using HP’s 3D-printing platform for air conditioning and heating air ducts within E-Type cars, Eagle has benefitted from significantly reduced turnaround times, streamlined processes and greater flexibility to meet customer demands. HP’s 3D-printed parts allow Eagle to produce in low volumes with design and economic advantages, as the digital 3D model is easily adjusted and the final part swiftly printed.
For further information www.hp.com/uk

Creating virtual history for trade shows

A manufacturing network representing more than 600 companies in the Midlands and Yorkshire has developed an online virtual exhibition to combat the effects of the pandemic on in-person events.

The Made in Group, which includes Made in the Midlands and Made in Yorkshire, has invested more than £150,000 in developing ‘Backing Britain Live 2020’. This online event aims to draw 5000 attendees and is already supported by 200 exhibitors.
BBLive2020, is up and running at www.backingbritain.com where it will continue until 28 August. The event showcases manufacturers and businesses alike in an all-new digital format. Delegates and exhibitors also have the chance to attend over 25 seminars, including virtual round tables on topics such as smart factories, green manufacturing and supply chain localisation.
Tickets are available at https://lnkd.in/gwNdA4b