XYZ adds models to turning range

XYZ Machine Tools has adopted customer feedback and extended its Compact Turn range to offer greater capacity.

The company has introduced the CT 65 HD and, a highly cost-competitive solution, the CT 52 LR.

With the CT 52 LR, the use of linear rail technology has been extended to XYZ’s turning centres for the first time, having proved successful on its machining centre range. Using linear rails offers cost advantages without any compromise in capability. The CT 52 LR is available from under £36,000, making it advantageous to small and medium-sized businesses considering their first turning centre. Despite the relatively low cost, the CT 52 LR boasts an 11.2 kW (4500 rpm) spindle, 52 mm spindle bore, 10-station turret and Siemens 828D control.

The larger XYZ CT 65 HD offers enhanced turning capacity with a 510 mm maximum turned length, almost double that of its predecessor, and a total Z-axis travel of 525 mm. Another upgraded addition is the increased coolant delivery pressure, which now runs at 30 l/min (at 2.5 bar). Positioning is by ball screws that have been increased in size to 28 mm (X axis) and 40 mm (Z axis) respectively, with 20 m/min feed rates. Metal-cutting performance is enhanced using a Siemens 17 kW, 4500 rpm motor and the upgraded Siemens 828D ShopTurn touchscreen control unit.

Nigel Atherton, managing director XYZ Machine Tools, says: “The arrival of these two additions to our turning centre range will see a better balance between turning centre and machining centre sales. At present, machining centres outsell turning centres by around 3 to 1, but with these additions we can see that becoming more balanced.”

For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

Dugard expands team

Dugard is strengthening its business model for the future with the addition of two new staff.

The appointment of Mike Corbett (pictured left), a well-respected name in the machine-tool industry with more than 30 years’ experience, is described by Dugard as “a real coup”. As the company’s new national sales support manager, Corbett will be drawing on his experience to support the growing sales team with technical expertise and advice.

Joining Corbett as a new starter at Dugard is Chris Anson, the latest addition to the service team. Taking on a dual role as a service and area sales manager, Anson has spent over a decade in the industry, working as a service engineer on some of the world’s most renowned and technically advanced machine-tool brands. Anson will use this expertise of working on turning and machining centres, as well as sliding-head lathes, to bolster the support for Dugard customers in the Midlands.
For further information www.dugard.com

Comprehensive testing before shipment

Haco-Kingsland ensures that all FAT TUR series lathes are comprehensively tested before shipment. A case in point is a TUR 1550 MN that was recently despatched to a customer in Norway. The machine had been made to order with specially requested features that enhance its capabilities even further, including a tool turret with driven tools and full C-axis contouring. As with all TUR series models, the machine was put through its paces during testing to ensure compliance with customer needs and meet stringent internal quality standards.

The FAT TUR 1550 MN is a lathe designed for heavy workpieces. Able to process components measuring up to 1550 mm in diameter, the TUR MN series has proven its worth around the globe and is active in many different industries requiring precision workpieces.
Special care is taken in every single detail of the manufacturing process to guarantee failure-free operation. A linear measuring system eliminates positional deviations due to expansion of the ball screw because of temperature fluctuations, or play between the nut and screw.

The headstock is of a modern compact design, with shafts and gears made of heat-treated alloy steel. Due to the application of closely supported shafts and ground gears, the headstock runs smoothly at all speeds.

A heavy-duty tailstock is deployed to allow bigger workpiece loads and reduce vibration during heavy rough cutting. The extra-large 200 mm diameter quill is hardened and has a built-in live centre with MT 6 taper. In addition, the tailstock rides on an air cushion for easy movement as standard. The tailstock can be easily positioned by carriage using a quick-released coupling, while a hydraulically operated tailstock is offered as an option.

For further information www.kingsland.com

MACH exhibition postponed until 2022

The MTA has taken the decision to reschedule the MACH exhibition from January 2021 to April 2022.

With the continued uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic and local lockdowns, the MTA decided to consult with members and exhibitors who had booked a stand at MACH 2021 and gauge their opinion. The overwhelming sentiment was that in order to minimise the risks to visitors and exhibitors, and provide the best possible platform for both, the event should be moved to 4-8 April 2022.
James Selka, MTA CEO, says: “We believe that this decision is in the best interests of the industry and those who work in it. By moving MACH to April 2022, we will be able to offer a better experience for our visitors and better value for our exhibitors, rather than holding it in January 2021 with the uncertainty that could still be with us. Add to this the Government’s recent announcement of a pause to the restart of live events, and it was felt that a dateline in April 2022 was a much better option.”

For further information events@mta.org.uk

MetLase launches ‘smart’ products

One of the UK’s leading specialists in tooling, intelligent fixturing and components is launching a new range of ‘digital’ solutions that will connect manufacturing processes and enable easier, faster automation.

MetLase, a joint venture between Unipart and Roll-Royce, commissioned a dedicated team to develop ‘smart’ products, including the Digital Gauge (conducts a digital dimensional inspection process), Smart Bench (ensures no-fault forward in the assembly process) and Smart Cell.

These digital products are already having an impact on industry, with one of the most striking examples being a project with Kautex Unipart Ltd and a leading supercar manufacturer to support in-line composite preform measurement.

Digital gauges are being used to support the inspection of blow-moulded plastic fuel tanks in just four seconds, replacing an inspection system that would usually take 45 minutes, during which time the line would churn out parts. If a fault was found at this stage, all of the components made in that period would be destined for the scrap heap. In addition, digital gauges allow data to be collected that is ‘actionable’ for process improvement and machine learning.

Richard Gould, business development manager, says: “This is just the start. More and more customers are switching on to the benefits of digital manufacturing in the overall process. And we’re not just talking about impact on shop floor. One project we’re currently exploring is the introduction of a Smart Bench to support a maritime application, where a global business has won a contract that includes an element of regenerating a region’s manufacturing sector.”

For further information www.metlase.com