Horn expands grooving cartridge system

Paul Horn GmbH is expanding its 220 cartridge system to cover virtually every grooving insert type in the company’s portfolio. It is possible to clamp all cartridges directly and quickly in universal holders – and the system’s T-shaped interface offers stability and a high level of precision during cartridge exchange.

All variants feature an interface between the holder and cartridge for an internal coolant supply. The jet emerges from the clamping finger and support to target coolant directly at the point of cutting. If required, users can close off the upper opening of the coolant supply with a screw.
Horn offers radial grooving cartridges for the following insert types: S100, S224, S229, S274, 34T, 312, S315, S316 and the S64T six-edged grooving insert. For axial grooving, the cartridges suit the S25, S224 and S229 systems.

The versatile system supports a large number of groove widths, groove depths and parting-off operations, as well as substrates and coatings tailored to the workpiece material. Users can select the holders according to the type of machine interface. Horn offers the holders in square or round shank, as well as TS, HSK and polygon interface versions.

According to Horn, the modularity of the tool systems plays a vital role in enabling the flexible and productive use of tools when turning small and medium batches of components. The aim is to reduce set-up times significantly during tool change, thereby making the lathe more efficient. Horn’s system is suitable for use on all types of turning machine, from single-spindle lathes to multi-spindle autos.

For further information
www.phorn.co.uk

Stratasys announces Origin acquisition

Stratasys has signed an agreement to acquire 3D-printing start-up Origin Inc in a transaction for total consideration of up to $100m, including cash and stock. The merger enables Stratasys to expand its business through innovation in the fast-growing mass production parts segment with a next-generation photopolymer platform. Stratasys expects Origin’s proprietary Programmable PhotoPolymerisation (P3) technology to be an important growth engine for the company, adding up to $200m in incremental annual revenue within five years. The company plans a full global launch by mid-2021.

For further information www.stratasys.com

Robotic solution for Ricoh

Telford-based Ricoh UK Products Ltd, a specialist in office automation solutions, has improved its profitability and efficiency through the adoption of industrial robotics to simplify the manufacture of its toner cartridge shutters. Ricoh initially approached Evershed Robotics, which suggested using a combination of Toshiba Machine TH650 SCARA robots to work with its six bowl feeders and a rotary index table. The shutter itself contains five parts which are now assembled in a cycle time of 7.5 seconds. Control is managed by an Omron PLC, which communicates with the Toshiba Machine SCARAs.

For further information www.tmrobotics.com

Record month at galvaniser

The UK’s oldest hot-dip galvaniser is bouncing back from COVID-19 disruption after it processed a record amount of steel from one plant in a single month. Corbetts the Galvanizers used downtime in the summer to improve productivity and modernise processes, and this paid off with nearly £1m of orders completed in October.

Celebrating 160 years in business in 2020, the Telford-based company processed 34% more volume than the same time last year for customers involved in the street furniture, transport and construction sectors. “This is a phenomenal achievement by our workforce and highlights growing optimism in our sector,” says Sophie Williams, the company’s finance director and general manager.

For further information
www.wcorbett.co.uk

Multi-million pound investment

AJ Engineering is expanding its premises in a £2.5m investment over the next three years that will allow the firm to more than double its production capabilities and employ more staff. The company has expanded its Forres-based manufacturing sites by adding 4.7 acres through the acquisition of neighbouring land owned previously by Moray Council. Existing buildings at the former sawmill site at Waterford will be refurbished and a new automated fabrication facility installed.

Owned by Alan James, the company currently employs approximately 80 staff over the existing Greshop Industrial sites at Forres, including seven apprentices. However, the expansion plans means that the next three years will see the creation of up to 36 jobs. Phase one is to refurbish the existing buildings at Waterford and purchase and commission a cut and drill line. Phase two will be the installation of an automatic shotblaster, while the third phase will see the arrival of a plate processor.

For further information www.ajengineering.co.uk