Outlook remains positive for XYZ

Confidence within the manufacturing sector continues to increase, as reflected by a growing order book at XYZ Machine Tools. Invoiced sales and new orders for the first six months of its financial year show a strong recovery from the previous year and are now at pre-pandemic levels. This continuing growth in sales has prompted XYZ Machine Tools to review its machine order and build strategy. Planning as far ahead as October 2022, XYZ will be able to maintain the traditional high machine stock levels held at its Devon headquarters.

“Supply chains have been a common topic in the news recently,” states Nigel Atherton, managing director. “We are therefore planning ahead and currently have 263 machines in transit to the UK, with a further 600 machines in the pipeline. This commitment will ensure that we can continue supporting our customers by responding as quickly as possible to their orders.”

For further information
www.xyzmachinetools.com

Take the bridge to success

Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of Doosan machine tools in the UK and Ireland, has introduced a new bridge-style vertical machining centre into the market. The BVM 5700 is a premium machine that, owing to its rigid design and build, is said to deliver high levels of accuracy, flexibility, machining performance and reliability.

The machine’s stability is the foundation for its performance. A rigid, thermally stable construction ensures that thermal deformation is minimised and, as a result, high accuracy is possible irrespective of workpiece material or machining parameters.

Says Tony Dale, CEO of Mills CNC: “There is a tendency among some manufacturers to think that bridge-style machining centres are only for large part processing. This is not the case.With the BVM 5700, Doosan have focused their efforts on creating a compact, powerful and highly rigid machine with a wide application potential and appeal. Irrespective of whether high material removal or super-fine finishing are required, the BVM 5700 delivers.”

The BVM 5700 offers travel distances of 1050 x 570 x 460 mm in the X, Y and Z axes, and a well-proportioned work table measuring 1300 x 570 mm, with a 1000 kg maximum table load. A 30/40 tool ATC with a 1.3 second tool-to-tool changeover time supports rapid traverse rates of 42 m/min.

The machine’s built-in BT40 spindle (37 kW/15,000 rpm) can generate 214 Nm of torque.

Doosan’s BVM 5700 features the Big Plus dual contact face and taper spindle/tooling interface and a smart thermal compensation system comprising multiple sensors strategically positioned around the machine. The machine is equipped with the Doosan Fanuc i Plus control featuring 15” touchscreen and intuitive iHMI.

For further information
www.millscnc.co.uk

£3m robotic machining cell at Rotary Power

Rotary Power, part of the British Engines Group, has invested over £3m in an automated DMG Mori machining cell now in situ at the company’s manufacturing facility in South Shields. The automated capability of the new cell has improved Rotary Power’s manufacturing efficiency due to a reduction in set-up time of 87.5%, while the average cycle time is 33% shorter thanks to the machine’s cutting technology.

Measuring 19 x 10 m, the customised cell installed at Rotary Power consists of one automated robot travelling between two machines via a 13 m track. The robot automatically loads and unloads parts, sets the machines and collects completed products. Primarily, the cell manufactures components for the company’s range of motors and pumps.

The new machine standardises the length of time each tool is used by assigning a tool life span. Removing set-up variations in this way improves consistency, while reducing wastage of consumable items.

Ian McGeorge, manufacturing manager at Rotary Power, who has been leading the project says: “The addition of the new cell represents an exciting time for the company as it has allowed us to position ourselves more competitively within the market by improving our quality and reducing costs.”

A huge effort has been made by the team at Rotary Power to prepare for the implementation of the new cell and the business looks forward to seeing the positive impact that this investment will have in the future.”

Part of the British Engines Group, Rotary Power is a manufacturing company that specialises in the design, development and manufacture of hydraulic pumps and motors.

For further information
https://rotarypower.com/

Tribute to Stuart Pritchard

MTI is sad to report that Stuart Pritchard, the company’s former production and design specialist, has passed away. Stuart stepped down from his long-standing role at MTI in mid-2020 after suffering from the degenerative effects of motor neurone disease (MND). He fought bravely against this cruel disease, but sadly lost his battle in December with his partner Louise by his side. MTI will remember Stuart as a friendly, happy, helpful and extremely proficient member of the team. He will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of spending time in his company. Rest in peace Stuart.

Guhring sharpens its edge

To address the issue of machining soft, tough and high-alloyed materials that create an issue with swarf clearance, Guhring has introduced its RF100 Sharp series of high-performance end mills. Chip jamming and swarf sticking to the cutting tool can create a major impact upon productivity and machining performance, which is why Guhring has developed the new RF100 Sharp series of solid-carbide cutters.

Recognised as Guhring’s sharpest solid-carbide milling tool to date, the new RF100 Sharp delivers high-quality machining results with good swarf evacuation on the most challenging of materials, says the company. Not only does the new RF100 Sharp demonstrate smooth cutting action and chip removal, it is also a versatile end mill that is suitable for slotting, ramping, roughing, helical milling, finishing and trochoidal cutting.

With a rake angle of 12°, the end mills can be applied to materials with high ductility and tensile strength from 300 to 900 N/mm2. This makes the four-flute end mills suitable for machining steel, stainless steel, aluminium, aluminium alloys and other challenging materials.

The performance of the new RF100 Sharp derives from a tough carbide grade that combines with an AlCrN coating to prevent tool breakages under demanding conditions, while the coating technology increases the wear protection, regardless of the cutting speed, says Guhring. Complementing this composition is a geometry that has an optimised facet that dampens vibration, smooths the cutting action and increases tool life. This tool life improvement is further enhanced with a corner protection chamfer that increases stability and edge strength.

For further information
www.guhring.co.uk