Major upgrade to large 30-taper machine

Brother, the Japanese 30-taper machining centre manufacturer, has had a machine in its portfolio with a 1 m Xaxis for nearly a decade. The third iteration of this model sees the specification uprated in several key areas to boost capacity and versatility. Sole sales and service agent in Britain and Ireland is Whitehouse Machine Tools.

Now called Speedio W1000Xd2, the machine is the largest on the market in the 30-taper category. The extension of Z axis travel from 300 to 380 mm, together with a new option of a 250 mm column extension, means that users may place a much larger component under the spindle. If rotated in a trunnion, the swing diameter increases to 540 mm, and if fixtured directly on the table, maximum weight is 500 kg.

A benefit of having 1000 mm travel in the X axis is that users can machine either long components, or else a pair of smaller parts side by side. In the latter case, if they are undergoing Op 10 and Op 20, one comes off completely machined every time the doors open. Alternatively, machine shops may place multiple small parts under the spindle for many hours of uninterrupted production.Typical applications include battery control boxes, chassis components or instrument panels for electric vehicles. Other target markets are the semiconductor and mould making sectors.

Users processing tool steels will benefit from the introduction of a 10,000 rpm/26.2 kW/92 Nm high-torque spindle option in place of the standard 12,000 rpm offering. Another option is a 16,000 rpm face-and-taper contact spindle. Through-coolant at 30 bar is standard,while70 bar is available on request.
For further information www.wmtcnc.com

Trumpf posts record revenue

In its centennial year, the Trumpf Group has generated considerable revenue growth. Based on preliminary calculations, revenue in the fiscal year 2022/23 (balance sheet date 30 June 2023) came in at €5.4bn (fiscal year 2021/22: €4.2bn).In the domestic market of Germany, revenue rose sharply by more than 30% to some €770m (previous year: €589m). In the US, Trumpf continued its strong growth of the previous year, posting revenue of some €900m (2021/22: €649m). The strongest Asian market was China with revenue of some €600m (previous year: €575m).
For further information www.trumpf.com

ETG presents agile Axile G8 machining centre

The Engineering Technology Group (ETG) is introducing the new G8 machining centre from Axile. Since entering into an agreement with Axile to become the exclusive UK and Ireland technology partner, ETG is already enjoying a significant level of enquiries for the range of five-axis VMCs, heavy-duty double-column machining centres and mill-turn machine tools.

With a maximum loading capacity of up to 1300kg on a swivelling rotary table, the agility of the G8 enables the production of various large components. Also in the G8 Series is the G8 MT. This machine option offers both milling and turning in one machine, increasing operational flexibility, reducing set-up times and offering the potential to machine a wider variety of parts in a single set-up.

Axile builds the flexibility of the G8 and G8 MT upon a high-quality cast base that offers a structural foundation which optimises vibration damping and limits thermal behaviour.From an agility perspective, both models have direct-driven servo motors, double symmetrical and synchronised axes, linear scales with 0.1μm resolution,and double roller type linear guideways – all features that minimise backlash, vibration and elasticity.

Regarding specification, both the G8 and G8 MT offer a table size of 800 mm diameter with X, Y and Z-axis travels of 670 x 820 x 600mm and a maximum feed rate of 60m/min. The swivelling A axis moves to ±120° with a 360° continuous C axis. As standard, the built-in spindle come with a 20,000rpm asynchronous motor supplied with tools from two carousels that offer 32/64 position tool-change capability. The machine can also feature larger magazines with up to 120 positions.
For further information www.engtechgroup.com

Subcontractor installs large twin-column machine

Having a working volume of 2200 x 1700 x 750 mm, the Hurco DCX22i twin-column, bridge-type VMC with 8 tonne table load capacity is now the largest item of prismatic machining equipment on the shop floor at Jones Nuttall Precision Engineering in Warrington. The machine features a 40-station tool magazine, 12,000 rpm/18 kW spindle and rapids of 32 m/min in the X and Y axes, and 24 m/min in Z.

Jones Nuttall’s new DCX22i brings to 12 the number of machining centres in use on the shop floor, all of them supplied by Hurco, there being eight VM30i models and other VMCs also in operation. Additionally, a third of the lathes on site are Hurcos, both of them bar-fed. The TM10 has a 10-inch chuck while the 8-inch chuck TMM8 includes live tooling and a C axis.

Metals processed include Inconel, titanium alloy, stainless steel, steel, brass, aluminium, copper and even silver. Engineering thermoplastics such as nylon, acetal and PEEK are also common, as well as composites. Batch sizes range from one-offs to runs in excess of 1000.

Founded in 1971, Jones Nuttall has been a Hurco user since 2000, at which time the subcontractor decided to progress from manual tool-change mills to machining centres. The company opted for Hurco equipment due to the high build quality and spindle power of both the machining centres and lathes.

Geoff Brown, a machine operator at Jones Nuttall, says: “Hurco machines are very easy to program, set-up and use. The twin-screencontrol on the DCX really helps as I can program and edit on one screen, while the other screen displays the component and toolpath. The programming of all our Hurco machines is the same, so often one operator can run two or three machines.”
For further information www.hurco.com/gb

VMC for cost-effective machining of larger parts

Following the success of its M1 entry-level vertical machining centre, DMG Mori has introduced a larger version, the M2, with double the travel in the X axis at 1100 mm. The Y- and Z-axis travels are identical at 550 and 510 mm respectively, but maximum table load is nearly treble that of the M1, at 1700 kg.

The M2 retains the same fixed-table, travelling-column design, which minimises wear on the machine’s ballscrews and drives by not having to move the heavy table with its load to the spindle. Measuring 1400 x 600 mm, the clamping surface is sufficient to accommodate one large part or multiple smaller components set up in various fixtures (and even a 4th axis indexer) at the same time.

DMG Mori’s monolithic design of the thermally stable machine bed casting, which weighs 3400 kg, gives the M2 high rigidity and good damping properties. Minimal vibration, even when taking heavy cuts, protects the machine structure, provides long tool life and ensures good surface finish on machined components. The total installed weight of the machine is nearly 7 tonne in a compact footprint of only 7.3 sq m.

Users benefit from the choice of a 10,000 or 12,000 rpm inline spindle, of which the company has installed more than 4000 units worldwide, as well as a 24-pocket tool magazine and rapid double-gripper tool changer.

The M2 has roller guideways in all axes and machining dynamics are constant regardless of workpiece weight, report DMG Mori. A 20-bar internal coolant supply is optional. Control is via Siemens Sinumerik One touchscreen CNC, which has very few buttons, making it ideal for the new generation of setter-operators familiar with smartphones and tablets.
For further information www.dmgmori.com