WFL strengthens its UK and Ireland markets

WFL Millturn Technologies says it has been the innovation and technology leader in the field of complete machining for many years. The company has sales offices and representatives all around the globe to serve its customers. The UK has always been a very important market for WFL, especially in the aerospace industry. To guarantee the best possible service, continuous and consistent customer support in all market-relevant regions is vital for the company. Now, after many years of successful co-operation with esteemed partners in the UK, WFL Millturn Technologies is announcing the establishment of WFL Millturn Technologies UK Ltd.

WFL and Kyal Machine Tools have been working together for over a decade, ensuring that customers in the UK receive first-class service. The combination of Kyal Machine Tools’ in-house expertise and WFL’s technical expertise delivers the desired production solutions and provides customers with high levels of service and support. The transfer encompasses Kyal employees and, in turn, maintains all valuable UK business relationships.


This strategic decision aligns with WFL’s global expansion strategy and fortifies its UK market presence, ultimately benefiting customers. The transfer of the WFL business from Kyal to WFL UK became effective in November 2023. Steve Malone becomes the general manager and sales manager for the UK and Ireland.

WFL currently has 20 different MILLTURN models. With turning lengths from 1000 to 14,000mm and turning diameters from 520 to 2000mm, users can perform the complete machining of an extensive range of workpieces. Almost all MILLTURN models are also available as a counter spindle variant.

For further information office@wfl-uk.net

You Ji vertical lathe in situ at TDT Machine Tools

A new You Ji VTL1600ATC+C vertical lathe is now in situ at TDT Machine Tools. From the world’s largest producer of large-capacity vertical lathes, theVTL1600ATC+C made an epic journey fromYou Ji in Taiwan to West Yorkshire.

In an era where precision meets power, the eagerly awaited arrival of the You Ji VTL1600ATC+C vertical lathe sent waves of excitement through TDT. Arriving on four lorries with a wide-loadescort, the new addition replaced an old Dörries machine and brings new turn-mill strategies to the manufacturing process. According to TDT, the robust design, heavyweight performance and unparalleled capabilities support the adoption of new machining methods and tooling that users can push to the limit.

The You Ji YV and VTL series of vertical ram-type turning lathes are built for large, heavy part machining with tables ranging from 600 to 4500mm diameter. These vertical lathes feature a heavy Meehanite cast iron construction, rigid, extra-large box ways, and large diameter pre-tensioned ballscrews. All mating surfaces are coated with Turcite-B and hand scraped for perfect fit and alignment.

Both the YV and VTL series machines feature Timken cross-roller table bearings for rigidity and precision. High-power spindle motors coupled with ZF planetary gearboxes provide high torque for heavy metal removal.

VTL series machines are available in table sizes from 1000 to 4500 mm and feature a symmetrical base/column design with moveable cross rails in programmable 200mm increments. Variable column heights/ram strokes are available to accommodate very tall workpieces. Twin rams are available on the VTL-1600 size and larger machines.

The installation process spanned two weeks of meticulous work, with TDTs team of engineers installing the machine into the existing pit foundation, with minor modifications where the Dörries came out.

For further information www.tdt-machinetools.co.uk

Two new tools for multiple measurements

Reliable, flexible measuring equipment is indispensable in production and quality assurance. This is what two new additions to the Mahr family stand for: the MarCal 30 EWRi depth caliper and the new Millimar P 2002 sensor.

Normally, it is not possible to measure lengths linearly over the entire measuring path with an inductive probe. This is not the case with the new Millimar P 2002 all-rounder from Mahr, which achieves high linearity thanks to its optimally matched measuring system.

Wherever the lengths, the new P 2002 shows its strengths; from brake discs and smartphone covers to turbine blades, Mahr says that its new Millimar sensor is a true all-rounder. The probe stands for maximum measuring accuracy and minimal linearity deviations over the entire measuring range. At the same time, its revised ball guide ensures high-precision, easy handling.

The second new Mahr addition, the MarCal 30 EWRi depth caliper, represents maximum process reliability. This tool allows users to measure completely without any disturbing cables and to benefit from its fast, automatic data acquisition that eliminates manual input errors. The depth caliper sends the displayed measured value directly to the user’s Windows application via radio transmission and at the touch of a button.

Lapped guide rails allow the slider to run smoothly and sensitively. Depending on the measuring task, users can measure either with the universal stylus or the wide front measuring surface: the stylus is removable for this purpose. Mahr offers 30 EXm long measuring bridges of 300 and 400 mm for supporting or bridging distances. Mounting is simple and can be individually adjusted in the hole grid. This means that users can easily reach their measuring point, even with larger support distances.

For further information www.metrology.mahr.com/en-int

Europe’s first 5G interactive microscope labs

The University of Plymouth will become the home of Europe’s first 5G interactive microscope labs. This advanced facility will transform the learning experience of students on a number of science courses.

Comprising 150 microscopes, the labs are the result of a partnership between the university and two global technology companies, Nikon and Ostec Instruments. They also reflect recent changes to courses, aligning their content even more closely with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Professor Kevin Jones, executive dean of science and engineering at the University of Plymouth, says: “These new labs will transform our teaching and revolutionise the learning experience for our students. They will get to explore a wider range of specimens in greater detail than ever before. By getting the opportunity to use cutting-edge technology, our students will also gain first-hand experience of using systems that will either match – or in many cases exceed – those they will work with once they graduate.”

Across two spaces in the university’s Davy Building, students will have access to 60 polarising microscopes and 20 biological microscopes, as well as 60 low-power microscopes used to analyse larger specimens. In addition to the microscopes, each stand will have a digital screen that can link to others across the room to share the same content.

The lecturer will have his or her own camera set-up linked to screens on each of the microscope stands, and the screens will also display QR codes so that students can bring up details of what they have been scrutinising on their mobile devices. Importantly, the combination of microscope and screen displays, as well as desks of adjustable height, will make the set-up more accessible to students with sight or mobility difficulties.

For further information www.nikonmetrology.com

Marposs participating in Target-X project

The European Target-X project is launching its second open call to strengthen important economic sectors in Europe by integrating 5G and 6G, accelerating the digital transformation. The call stresses the importance of establishing a sustainable business framework, unlocking new market prospects and providing financial support up to €60,000 per entity.

Marposs is actively involved in the research project, led by the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology (IPT) in Aachen. The project’s objective is to conduct validation tests for new technologies in both 5G and its successor, 6G. Collaborating with other partners, Marposs has identified different applications within existing experimental test environments in both Germany and Spain.

In the automotive sector, the project focuses on studies related to digital twin vehicles, co-operative perception, autonomous or remote driving, and the prediction of quality of service (QoS) in real-world scenarios. Meanwhile, in the industrial manufacturing sector, research lines initiated in previous projects continue, involving partners to integrate real-time technologies with cutting-edge cloud architectures. This integration aims to create more efficient and sophisticated digital twins of robots and machine tools.

The project aims to explore the potential of 5G and 6G technologies in realistic environments within end-user industries through demonstrations and experimental evaluations. Notably, the focus includes examining the impact of network and digital-twin integration on real-time communications, localisation, tracking and interactivity. The assessment also considers sustainability, security and privacy metrics for the solutions under test, contributing to the development of a framework for evaluating the economic and social effects of potential new business models emerging from the use of these advanced technologies.

For further information www.marposs.com