Lathe redesigned for increased functionality

For more than 25 years, German lathe manufacturer Index has produced and sold worldwide more than 3000 ABC series twin-spindle, twin-turret turning centres, including many into the UK and Irish markets through sole sales and service agent Kingsbury. Now, the fixed-headstock, 65 mm capacity, CNC bar auto has undergone a series of improvements that allow it to address today’s requirement to machine more complex components in smaller batch sizes.

Index’s new model occupies an identical footprint and the working area is essentially the same as before. The latter is especially important to meet the needs of current ABC users by ensuring that existing part programs run without any increase in cycle time or loss in machining quality.

Over the years, the robust, slant-bed lathe has seen ongoing improvements, including to the control and drives. With the latest revision, a notable upgrade is that the upper live tool carrier has gained Y-axis movement and is capable of continuous indexing via a step-less gearbox, opening up many more machining possibilities. Additionally, the turret has centre height adjustment and can be equipped with double tool holders in seven stations for more comprehensive machining of component front ends in the 27 kW/6000 rpm main spindle using up to 14 static or driven tools.

An eighth position in the top turret houses a 4500 rpm synchronous spindle for reverse end-working on a parted-off component in conjunction with five tools, two of which may be live, in a back-working attachment mounted on the headstock.

Control is either by a Siemens S840D sl with Index’s own Industry 4.0 iXpanel, or by a FANUC 31i-B.
For further information www.kingsburyuk.com

Machine orders up in Germany

Orders received by the German machine tool industry in the third quarter of 2022 were 9% up on the previous year’s figure. Orders from Germany rose by 3%, whereas those from abroad were up by 12%. Demand rose by 26% in the first nine months of 2022. Domestic and foreign orders contributed in equal measure to this figure, accounting for growth of 25 and 26% respectively. Orders received by the German metal-forming technology sector in the third quarter of 2022 were also up, by a total of 7% up on the previous year. Orders from Germany fell by 1% whereas those from abroad were up by 10%.
For further information www.vdw.de/en

Training is out of this world

MTC Training – the training arm of the Manufacturing Technology Centre – is launching a new apprenticeship and training courses to support the UK’s rapidly growing space sector.
The education suite will include a new Level 4 space technician apprenticeship, a graduate development programme and a series of courses to upskill space engineers.

These new programmes will boost the UK’s skills and capabilities in the space sector, which forecasts predict will be worth £450bn by 2030. The new 48-month space technician apprenticeship launches in September 2023, delivered from the Oxfordshire Advanced Skills (OAS) training centre in Abingdon. Similarly, the graduate development space programme, also delivered at OAS, will support engineering graduates who are new to the space industry or are considering a move into the space sector.
For further information www.the-amtc.co.uk/training

Very large piling frame

Among the UK’s leading structural engineering and metal fabrication companies, Tranent-based Had Fab has built one of the company’s largest constructions to date. The 16.5 m long, 3.5 m wide and 4 m high piling frame will form part of the high-profile redevelopment of Stornoway Deep Water Terminal. Working to a tight deadline, Had Fab fully refurbished and converted the frame (from H-pile to tubular pile configuration) so as to successfully install 1220 diameter piles, up to 44 m long on the Stornoway Deep Water Terminal. The structure is now fully operational.
For further information www.hadfab.co.uk

Record-breaking open house for Citizen

A total of 176 people visited Citizen Machinery’s recent three-day open house at its Brierley Hill facility, up 28% compared with the previous year’s event. Owing to the seniority of the attendees and others who had expressed interest but could not attend, the tally of 25 new machine orders placed by 18 companies during October was a company record for a single month. The event also staged a Formula One car simulator competition. The person clocking the fastest lap won a bottle of champagne, an accolade that went to Raphael Poulequin of Renthal, Stockport, a producer of accessories for motorcycles and mountain bikes.
For further information www.citizenmachinery.co.uk