New process for composites

TRB Lightweight Structures (TRB) has created a new production process to deliver continuous-fibre thermoset composite parts at high volume. TRB’s process combines proprietary snap-cure resins and in-house produced prepreg materials with state-of-the-art robotic manufacturing to generate high-specification, ready-to-ship thermoset parts in just minutes. This automated process is already being used to supply a global tier-one powertrain manufacturer with critical battery components destined for electric buses.

For further information www.trbls.com

£1.2m CNC investment at TGM

Targeting opportunities with the major aerospace primes has seen a Lancashire manufacturing specialist invest £1.2m in state-of-the-art CNC technologies. TGM, which is part of the £43m Aero Services Global (AS.G) Group, has just completed its first parts for a MoD contract on its recently installed Zimmermann FZ33 milling machine.

The long-bed capabilities, machine dynamics, 30,000 rpm spindle speed and fast cycle times will provide the company with additional capability to take on more than £2m of new work annually, as well as allowing it to tender for contracts on larger structural assemblies.

Sarah Stephens, director at TGM, says: “Traditionally we have provided three, four and five-axis machined components to aerospace tier-ones and this is still a core market, but we now have the technology, processes and skills in place to work directly with the primes.

“The Zimmermann is a fantastic machine and is the largest of all of the 18-strong CNC machine tools we currently have at our Preston facility,” she adds. “An initial package of work is already in production on the Zimmermann and there are plenty of opportunities we’re currently exploring that could fill up capacity. With this additional technology, we’re hoping to double sales to £6m over the next two years.”

TGM, which became part of AS.G in 2016, specialises in the machining of both hard and soft metals, producing components and sub-assemblies for customers supplying Airbus and BAE Systems.

“The first package of work for the Zimmermann is worth £1.4m to our business over two years and is the type of contract we are now looking to secure,” concludes Stephens.

For further information
www.tgmeng.co.uk

Tube mill installed at PEASA

Earlier this month in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, PEASA (Productos Especializados de Acero) inaugurated its brand-new tube plant equipped with a complete OTO tube mill from Fives.

The new plant is designed to produce cold-drawing tubes from high-yield material destined for various applications in the automotive industry. Fives’ OTO 606HQ mill is capable of processing round tubes with high-yield strength (up to 900 MPa) and with a diameter to thickness ratio of 6. Fives and PEASA are long-term partners, having commissioned several tube mills, both for stainless-steel applications and conduit tubes, over the past few years.

For further information
https://tube-pipe.fivesgroup.com/

Mazak takes 17 new apprentices

Yamazaki Mazak UK has reaffirmed its commitment to the future of British manufacturing by welcoming 17 new apprentices. The class of 2020’s apprenticeship journey began at the Worcestershire Group Training Association’s (WGTA) training centre last month, where they started learning the skills crucial to their future CNC machining, electrical, mechanical and sheet-metalworking roles.

The 17 apprentices accepted on to the scheme are studying in socially distanced classrooms, in adherence with coronavirus-related restrictions. They will eventually move to work across multiple departments at Mazak’s European headquarters in Worcester, as part of the company’s commitment to providing a combination of hands-on training and college-based learning. All apprentices will complete an accredited apprenticeship pathway to Level 3, with the option for some students to complete a further top-up to HNC/D level.

For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk

Australia’s largest ever mill

A Starrag Group-supplied Droop+Rein gantry milling machine with X, Y and Z-axis traverses of 14,000 x 13,000 x 3500 mm, plus an 11 m rotary table to permit turning operations in the same set-up, will be the largest machine tool to ever enter operations in Australia.

Being supplied to the Naval Group in Osborne, South Australia, the five-axis giant will be used to machine hull elements and other high-precision components for the Royal Australian Navy’s Attack-class submarines.

The order for the machine comes after the Australian Government selected French company Naval Group to deliver a fleet of 12 submarines that are to be built in a modern construction yard in Osborne.

Starrag Group is collaborating with Australian machine-tool manufacturer, H&H Machine Tools, to deliver the Droop+Rein G 110TT HR100C vertical gantry machine. H&H will manufacture key components, supply qualified personnel to help install the gantry and provide technical support for the entire life cycle of the machine. Starrag will provide H&H with the necessary expertise through on-site training and quality control.

The size and efficiency of the machine being supplied, which is also capable of turning thanks to the integrated rotary table, was of fundamental importance to the purchase decision. Starrag Group’s Droop+Rein G 110 TT HR100C owes its high-precision to features such as the hydrostatic guides in all linear axes, as well as the thermo-symmetrical design of the milling unit with integrated C axis.
Milling heads can be changed automatically via a head change interface. The team responsible selected five different machining heads to use in this project: the high-performance fork milling head possesses the ability to not only apply tools at any angle, but has the necessary prerequisites for heavy-duty machining in five axes simultaneously.

For further information
www.starrag.com