Floyd ups pressure for sliding-head lathes

Floyd Automatic Tooling has added the new Precitronics TOHP series of driven tooling with integrated high-pressure coolant feed to its portfolio. The new TOHP system offers through-coolant delivery up to 135 bar for driven tools and applications on sliding-head turning centres.

Available now, the Precitronics TOHP range of driven tooling is suitable for use on all types and makes of sliding-head and fixed-head machines fitted with a high-pressure coolant pump. Connecting the variety of live tooling configurations to the machine tool and the external high-pressure coolant pump is facilitated by a selection of quick-change connectors from the HEB range of locking and connecting plugs, flexible and rigid fluid distribution tubes, distribution blocks, connectors and adaptors – all available from Floyd Automatic.

In the work envelope, the Precitronics system is available for all spindle types with configurations such as ER, ER-A internal collets, CAPTO, KM, HSK, DIN, Weldon, MMT and ABS Komet. The flexibility of the system also extends to the drive connection, which can connect to all types of tool connection.

From a flexibility perspective, options for the Precitronics TOHP include an axial system, axial offset, axial speeders, radial double output, radial 90° system, radial 90° speeder, fixed angle, radial adjustable, axial multiple spindles, radial multiple outputs, polygon maker, thread whirling, gear hobbing and radial Y-axis – all of which can be configured to the specific turning centre.

According to Floyd Automatic, cycle time reductions of up to 30% are achievable by delivering high-pressure coolant directly to the cutting edge. Many of the systems also incorporate an additional coolant nozzle that simultaneously delivers cutting fluid to the shank of the tool, as well as the cutting edge, significantly improving cooling and swarf evacuation.

For further information
www.floydautomatic.co.uk

Metal-forming strength at EMO Milano

The Metal Forming Committee of UCIMU-Sistemi per Produrre, the Italian machine tool, robots, automation systems and ancillary products manufacturers’ association, has expressed its unanimous decision to take part in the next EMO Milano 2021, which takes place on Fieramilano on 4-9 October 2021.

Filippo Gasparini, vice-president of UCIMU, says: “After almost two years of absence from exhibitions due to the pandemic, we have chosen EMO Milano 2021 as the first stage to present our product offering to the public. In doing that, we are convinced that this event will offer us interesting business opportunities and, at the same time, contribute to strengthening the role of Italy in the sector.”

For further information
www.ucimu.it
www.emo-milano.com

Hull subcontractor selects Victor

Hull-based Rubitec Engineering Ltd has recently purchased a Victor Vturn NP20 CNC turning centre from GM CNC Machine Tools, the first Victor machine on site.

Andy Shores, managing director of Rubitec Engineering, says: “The machine has cut our run times and it’s a nice feeling to have a level of support from GM CNC that ensures with just one phone call, we can have everything we need.”

Commenting on why the company needed the Victor Vturn NP20, Shores says: “We had an ageing turning centre of similar capacity and capability to the Victor, but it was unreliable. And even though we service a lot of our own machines, the maintenance costs were escalating. We needed a new machine with a compact footprint and Victor fitted the bill.”

Looking closer at the specifications of the Victor Vturn NP20, it has a 52 mm through-spindle bar capacity. However, with the slant bed construction, the turning centre offers a 650 mm swing over the bed, providing 320 mm maximum turning diameter.

“The stability and kinematics of the Victor Vturn NP20 have increased productivity by at least 20% compared to our other machines,” says Shores. “In addition, the rigid tool turret and powerful coolant supply have improved the tool life on our milling tools by over 30%, while the overall machine construction has also helped to increase tool life for turning tools by 30%.”

Concluding on the service from GM CNC, Shores says: “To provide a score, I would certainly give GM CNC 10 out of 10. We trust GM CNC, its staff and levels of service implicitly.”

For further information
www.gm-cnc.com

Positivity from subcontractors

The UK’s subcontract manufacturing sector is emerging from lockdown with exceptionally strong sales pipelines, according to a cross-section of industry leaders. For instance, Chris Shield at Leicester-based Shield Group, says: “The pipeline is very strong and we’re feeling a lot more positive compared with six months ago.” Andrew Whitham at Manchester-based Brooks Ltd agrees, adding: “We’ve enjoyed a period of sustained growth and investment despite the challenges of COVID and lockdowns…the order book is very strong.”

The story is similar at Stoke-based John Hyde Engineering. “We’re more positive than six months ago and the pipeline is looking increasingly robust,” says John Hyde. Alan Mucklow, managing director UK and Ireland sales and service at Yamazaki Mazak, says the optimism of the subcontracting sector is a much-needed boost for UK manufacturing. “It is very striking, when I talk to customers, how positive the outlook is.”

For further information
www.mazakeu.co.uk

Manufacturing outlook improves

Manufacturing output volumes in the three months to March improved to broadly flat, which marked their highest balance since May 2019, according to the CBI’s latest monthly Industrial Trends Survey of 321 manufacturers. Manufacturers now expect output to pick up rapidly over the next three months, with expectations at their strongest since August 2017.

Total orders books improved to their highest balance since April 2019, surpassing their long-run average, while export order books strengthened to fall broadly in line with their long-run average. Manufacturers also anticipate output price growth will accelerate quickly in the next quarter, the strongest expectations since February 2019.

For further information www.cbi.org.uk