Hydrogen testing contracts worth over £4m to C-ALPS

The Centre for Advanced Low-Carbon Propulsion Systems (C-ALPS) at Coventry University has won more than £4m of new hydrogen testing contracts.Simon Shepherd, director of C-ALPS, says: “The latest contracts take the total value of joint projects active and completed at C-ALPS to more than £20m. This, along with the level of interest we are seeing from collaborators, is a sure sign that we’ve created the environment and expertise required to support UK companies in meeting future propulsion technology demands.”
For further information www.coventry.ac.uk/c-alps

Floyd Automaticgets a grip on small components

Now available in the UK from Floyd Automatic Tooling is the expanded range of MASA Microconic over-grip spindle collets. The precise and stable clamping of small workpieces in the sub-spindle of sliding-head machines has long been an issue for turned part manufacturers; MASA says it has revolutionised this ‘pain-point’ for manufacturers to deliver precision work-holding operations.

Until now, this solution has been available primarily on 20 and 32mm capacity sliding-head machines. However, MASA is now expanding the series to cater for manufacturers working on 10 and 12mm diameter capacity models.

To truly understand Microconic, manufacturers must first consider that only three things are in physical contact with the workpiece, the cutting tool, coolant/cutting fluid and workholding. MASA’s Microconic over-grip collet system ultimately allows manufacturers to rethink what is possible. This work-holding system consists of a cartridge and precision collet. The over-grip collet fits inside a cartridge and allows accurate adjustment before fitting directly into the existing collet sleeve with no machine adaptations required.

The patented over-grip collets can open up to 4mm larger than the clamping diameter and can also incorporate an ejection guide sleeve blank, which helps the end user to solve the difficulty of ejecting parts from the collets after machining. This allows manufacturers to reach behind flanges, parts with heads or any other enlarged feature.

Suitable for processing components with stepped features such as connectors, screws or other common parts, the over-clamp system can clamp over the protruding features and securely clamp on the main body of components. The collets are available with clamping diameters from 0.2 to 10mm, offering concentricity of 3-5µm.
For further information www.floydautomatic.co.uk

Robo-Trex boosts Oberon’s performance

Established at the dawn of the millennium, Oberon Performance has gained a global reputation for the premium quality of its range of motorcycle accessories, which include adjustable levers, billet headlights, brake and clutch lever protectors, clutch slave cylinders, mirror extenders, foot-peg kits, and handlebar risers.

To ensure that the company’s busy Haas multi-axis CNC milling machine was able to reach its full productive potential and keep pace with demand, Oberon Performance director Steve Evans recently investigated machine tool automation aids. Having compared the products of several leading providers, the company purchased a Robo-Trex automation system from Lang Technik UK.

“When compared with the new machine tool we contemplated, our recently installed Lang system occupies a much smaller footprint,” says Evans. “Furthermore, it cost a fraction of the price and it has helped us to achieve the same increase in production as the new machine would have.”

He adds: “Operating unattended and fed by the Lang Robo-Trex system, our Haas machine now runs unattended through each shift. Then, when required, at the end of a working day, we’re able to restock our Robo-Trex trollies with batches of workpiece blanks, allowing the machine to maintain unmanned production in lights-out mode through the night.

The Lang Robo-Trex robot system uses two high-capacity trollies that act as mobile storage mediums for multiple Lang vices which hold workpiece blanks. Notably, the system’s operation is logical and trouble-free: a robot picks a vice from the trolley, loads it into the machine tool and,once machining is complete, returns the vice holding the completed component to the trolley. When filled with fully machined parts, the trolley is removed and a replacement loaded with ready-to-machine workpiece blanks is added.
For further information www.lang-technik.co.uk

Chucks and reduction sleeves cut tool-holding hassle

Manufacturers must overcome specific machining challenges cost effectively. With this goal in mind, Seco offers its comprehensive range of hydraulic chucks and accompanying reduction sleeves in three versions, each able to accommodate several tool shank size variations for reduced tooling inventory. With 360° tool-shank holding strength and precise centring, the hydraulic chucks and expansion sleeves ensure reliability, along with exceptional machining performance and maximised tool life, reports Seco.

For simple, easy-to-use, versatile tool holding, the three versions of Seco hydraulic chucks include the HC Conventional, HCR Reinforced and the HCS Slim. The HC Conventional delivers precision holding for drilling, reaming and light milling. As a universal solution, the HCR Reinforced provides effective holding for all applications from HSM to HPM and for all kinds of tool shank types like cylindrical, weldon and whistle notch. The HCS Slim is suitable for accessing deep, narrow part cavities during five-axis machining at high speeds. Seco’s hydraulic chucks support all of the company’s round tools.

“Complicated tool-holding systems not only require special care and training to avoid operator injury, they add extra time and costs,” says Seco product manager Yves Heitz. “Seco hydraulic chucks and reduction sleeves eliminate the risk, as well as any extra maintenance,so users get in-cut faster while gaining tool-holding versatility with less required tooling.”

For added flexibility to accommodate a wide range of cutting tool sizes, 05FHC slotted reduction sleeves allow one holder to handle various shank diameters. They provide through-tool or peripheral cooling capabilities and work with either metric or inch-size tools.
For further information www.secotools.com

Babcock and Additure begin partnership

Babcock International has signed a framework agreement with Additure to enhance the digital manufacturing capability within its Land business.With a focus on increasing customers’ platform availability, this collaboration will develop new digital solutions, such as additive manufacturing, to better manage complex, critical, low-volume parts. The new approach will also utilise effective and sustainable technological methods, while moving production closer to the point of need.Part of Kingsbury Machine Tools, Additure is the Additive Manufacturing division created last year to support customer R&D and low-volume production with additive technologies.
For further information www.additure.co.uk