CGTech celebrates 35th anniversary

CGTech, the developer of Vericut CNC machine simulation software, is celebrating 35 years of growth and innovation in CNC simulation and optimisation.“For 35 years, CGTech’s technology leadership and experienced team have helped Vericut evolve together with our customer base. CGTech’s solutions are deeply entrenched in the aerospace industry’s history, and adopted today across sectors ranging from oil and gas to Formula One. People are at the heart of CGTech’s success and have made it what it is today: an innovative software company driven by team spirit and customer care.”
For further information www.cgtech.co.uk

Seco buys Premier Machine Tools

Ireland-based PMT Premier Machine Tools, a supplier of machining solutions for the medical industry, has become part of the product and service offering from cutting tool specialist Seco. With this acquisition Seco will increase its presence in the medical segment by offering integrated manufacturing solutions.PMT will continue to operate as an independent company and sell its products and services under the PMT brand. PMT’s business consists of supplying cutting tools and providing expertise, alongside a thriving machine tool supply business.
For further information www.secotools.com

Technical collaboration delivers productivity gains

With over 50 years of experience machining components for the aerospace, defence, medical, electronic and automotive industries; utilising everything from two-axis lathes through to multi-pallet five-axis machining centres axis, Aylesbury-based CNF Precision Engineering could be expected to have all the expertise it needed. However, when it won a significant order to machine exhaust collector manifolds for a motorsport customer, it found itself in need of additional support.

The issue faced by CNF was the complexity of the components, which came in six variants, along with the material, 304 stainless steel.

“When we were faced with stainless steel that required extra-long tool overhangs, we knew we would need additional technical input,” says Mark Baron, CNF’sproduction manager.

Ceratizit provided a range of tooling on trial, with no commitment until successful completion of the process. Key to that success wasthe use of35 mm diameter (with 4xD flute length) KUB Pentron indexable insert drillsfor the main internal port machining, along with a selection of high-feed indexable insert milling cutters using button and square inserts, with finish milling completed using Ceratizit’s Silverline solid-carbide mills and Torus cutters.

The collaboration resulted in significant cycle time savings along with greatly improved tool life. For example, the indexable milling inserts are showing a 300% increase in tool life after testing a variety of carbide grades, eventually settling on Ceratizit’s grade for heat-resistant materials, CTCS245. A 20/30% gain in tool life was seen when switching to Silverline cutters for finish milling, when compared with an incumbent competitor cutter.

In terms of cycle time, the work undertaken with the Ceratizit Torus cutters proved to be productive, with 40-50% decrease in cycle time generated from the switch from a conventional ball-nose cutter to a Ceratizit Torus Monstermill cutter.Tool life also doubled.
For further information www.ceratizit.com

12-year-old wins IET award

A 12-year-old from Huddersfield has won the Institution of Engineering & Technology’s (IET) national ‘Backpack to the Future’ competition. The winning entry ‘blew away’ judges with a design that filters polluted air, helping 8 million people in the UK who suffer the often-crippling effects of asthma.

The IET teamed up with global lifestyle brand HYPE, challenging youngsters to supercharge fashion with STEM and invent a backpack that helps them do incredible things. Eleanor Wood’s ‘Breathe Better Backpack’ – touchingly inspired by her Mum’s experience with asthma – features a built-in air filter and fans, powered sustainably by solar panels and a dynamo.
For further information www.engineer-a-better-world.org

Allied Machine expands thread-mill portfolio

Allied Machine and Engineering, a manufacturer of hole-making and finishing cutters, has added new sizes to its AccuThread T3 thread-mill line. AccuThread T3 is now available in larger UN and ISO sizes up to 1”-8 and M24x3. Machine coding for the new sizes is included in Insta-Code, Allied Machine’s online thread-mill program generator.

Targeting high-production facilities, tool and die industries and high-temperature applications, the additional AccuThread T3 thread-mill sizes create a high-quality thread without the concern of breaking the tool in an expensive workpiece. Allied designed the tool to only machine three threads at a time, which reduces pressure and dramatically increases the chances of tool survival.

The AccuThread T3 is for machining hardened or hard-to-machine materials such as stainless steel, tool steel, and high-temperaturealloys in classifications P, S, M, H, K and N.

According to Allied the advantages of the thread-mill line include: improved tool life and a more precise thread form; the ability to cut harder materials and produce deeper threads than a standard thread mill; and improved cycle time and tool life.

Among notable features is left-hand cutting, which allows the tool to climb mill while it moves from top to bottom, creating a right-handed thread. Further features include the use of three teeth that cut minimal threads all at once and reduce side deflection, along with AM210 multi-layer PVD coating.

Among industries set to benefit are aerospace, agriculture, automotive, firearms, construction, marine, mining and renewables.
For further information www.alliedmachine.com