GM CNC launches Victor VMT turn-mill

When it comes to one-hit machining, the new VMT series of multi-tasking turn-mill centres from Victor has a lot to offer. Available in the UK from GM CNC, the VMT range features 15kW twin built-in turning spindles and a 22kW swivelling B-axis milling spindle. Available in four variants – the VMT-X200, VMT-X260, VMT-X360 and VMT-X400 – the series is suitable for everything from the unmanned machining of small complex parts to the heavy-duty machining of large components.

As standard, the VMT range features a FANUC 0i-TF CNC, hydraulic chuck with soft jaws, chip conveyor, a Renishaw automatic tool presetter, through-spindle coolant and a hybrid lubrication system. Optionsincludes a steady rest, bar-feed interface, part catcher, automatic doors, sub-spindle and more. A Meehanite cast base provides a platform for elevated cutting parameters and improved tool life.

From a specification perspective, the VMT-X200 and VMT-X260 are 8 and 10-inch chuck machines with a 660mm swing-over-bed and a maximum turning length and turning diameter of 1376and 1075mm respectively. Serving the spacious work envelope are two 15kW/4200rpm turning spindles on the VMT-X200 and a 22kW/3500rpm main spindle and 15kW sub-spindle on the 75mm bar capacity VMT-X260.

For larger components, GM CNC offers the 12-inch chuck, 3000rpm VMT-X360 and the colossal 15-inch chuck VMT-X400.Both provide 30kW spindle power and a bar capacity of 91mm (106mm optional). The largest machines in the range provide an 1120mm swing-over-bed and a maximum turning length and turning diameter of 2148and 2100mm. All machines demonstrate flexibility through the 12,000rpm 15/18.5/22kW high-winding B-axis milling spindle that can rotate through -30/+210° with an indexing resolution of just 0.001°.

For further information www.gm-cnc.com

OUT WITH THE OLD; IN WITH THE NEW

Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of machine tools from DN Solutionsand Zayer in the UK and Ireland, recently supplied Surrey-based mechanical and fluid power transmission specialist JBJ Techniques with a new FANUC-controlled vertical turning lathe.The machine, a DN Solutions 24” chuck Puma V8300M was installed at the company’s 669 sq m facility in Redhill in January 2024, replacing an older Doosan VT750M vertical lathe acquired by the company back in 2012.

JBJ’s new machine, with its compact footprint and box guideway construction, features a powerful, high-torque spindle (30 kW/2000 rpm/3153 Nm) making it suitable for machining hard and difficult-to-machine materials and for heavy-duty turning operations.The V8300M also has driven tooling (18.5 kW/4000 rpm) to increase the machine’s flexibility, enabling the production of complex parts in one set-up without the need for component transfer between machines.Furthermore, the integration of a 12-tool position, side-mounted ATC, in addition to its existing 12-tool station turret, increases the machine’s productivity potential by reducing downtime caused by tool-change operations.

Says Ben Stubberfield, JBJ Techniques’ works director:“Our new V8300M is a fast and flexible machine andhas significantly increased and improved our in-house vertical turning capacity and capabilities.The new machine has replaced a previously-acquired VT750M vertical lathe which, although serving us well over the past 12 years, didn’t have a big enough turning diameter to produce some of our larger components.This resulted in us having to use an older and much slower lathe for these applications which, on occasion, affected our process efficiencies and lead-time fulfilment.”

With its reputation built on quality, service and speed of response JBJ Techniques, as part of its company-wide continuous improvement programme, decided back in 2023 to replace the VT750M with a new vertical turning lathe offering a larger turning diameter.

“We approached Mills CNC with our requirements and were introduced to the new DN Solutions V8300 series which, as well as having a bigger working envelope than the VT750M, also featured the additional side-mounted ATC and the advanced FANUC 0iTP control,” explains Stubberfield.

As a consequence, the company invested in a compact Puma V8300M, a machine with live tooling, an 830mm turning diameter and 690mm turning height. Since its arrival, the V8300M has been put through its paces machining a diverse range of components made from an equally varied range of materials that include stainless steel (304 and 316 grades), super duplex stainless steel, carbon and alloy steels (EN8, EN24), and cast iron.Parts machined on the V8300M are typically largeand heavy. Machined in small batches, component cycle times can often be long, depending on the specific application.

JBJ Techniques has come a long way since its formation in 1974. The family-owned business currently employs 25 members of staff and is a specialist manufacturer and supplier of high-quality products for the mechanical power transmission and fluid power sectors.Originally located in Carshalton, some 15 miles from its current location, the company first started life as a stocking distributor for a range of other manufacturers’ mechanical and hydraulic power products.

Over the years, following the move in 1984 to its current site, the company has significantly developed and augmented the products and services it provides to a growing number of customers located primarily in the UK.In addition to holding a huge selection of products in stock, JBJ provides customers with a high level of in-house expertise i.e., integrating and combining in-depth product knowledge and specification ability with technical consultancy and parts’ manufacture (through its well-equipped machine shop, which was first established in 1984 when the company moved to Redhill.

Now in its 50th year and celebrating its anniversary in September 2024, everything that JBJ Techniques provides is underpinned by a range of responsive and customer-focused support services delivered centrally at its Redhill facility through a UK-wide team of technical sales engineers.

JBJ Techniques can assist manufacturers in a number of different ways: assistance in the design of new and/or replacement (application-specific) power transmission systems (from simple to complex, and from standard to customised); next-day delivery on hundreds of products from the company’s warehouse; high-quality machined components for bespoke products and systems; and condition monitoring of existing transmission systems via the AIQ DETECT (for elastomeric couplings) and AIQ CORE (gearboxes) sensor systems.

Says JBJ Techniques’ managing directorMike Davis:“Everything we do is geared towards helping customers optimise their production processes.From working in partnership with them to design and develop new mechanical power and/or fluid power solutions, through to supplying replacement stocked or machined parts for existing systems – our focus is on helping manufacturers avoid/reduce downtime, improve safety and sustainability, and maintain productivity levels.”

The company’s customer baseis large and diverse. Its products and solutions are used extensively in the power generation, oil and gas, renewables, motorsport, food and beverage, transport, environmental, materials handling, and marine sectors to name but a few.Indeed wherever mechanical power and fluid power transmission systems are in use, there is a good chance that JBJ Techniques’ products are operational in some capacity.

Seven CNC machine tools adorn the machine shop alongside a range of manual machines and equipment.The latest DN Solutions V8300M vertical turning lathe significantly increases the company’s machine shop capabilities and, by doing so, also improves its ability to respond quickly to customers.

The V8300M arrived at JBJ Techniques’ machine shop in January 2024 and a number of company employees have already undergone an intensive three-day machine and CNC/iHMI control familiarisation training programme delivered on-site by Mills CNC’s Training Academy staff. A further three-day training course took place at the Training Academy’s facility in Leamington last month.

For further information www.millscnc.co.uk

Bowers Group reports success at SteelFab

Bowers Group is celebrating yet another successful exhibition on the international stage as the team reap the rewards of a busy SteelFab 2024. A prominent event in the Middle East’s metal manufacturing and steel fabrication industry, Bowers Group’s Baty Venture Plus XT stole the spotlight at the exhibition. This four-in-one system, which integrates profile projection, microscopy, CMM and video inspection capabilities, attracted significant attention.

Export sales manager at Bowers Group, Mark Golding, was delighted with the event, saying: “With an excellent turnout, the exhibition provided the perfect opportunity for establishing new partnerships, a step that will play a crucial role in expanding Bowers Group’s global supplier network. I’m personally looking forward to working with our new suppliers and clients over the coming year and beyond.”

With each new edition, SteelFab continues to play a key role in the region’s industrial growth, seen not only as an opportunity to showcase products but also as avenue for engaging with industry peers and contributing to the progress of the manufacturing and engineering sectors.

Flying the flag for British industry on the UK pavilion, it was an important step for Bowers Group in reinforcing its commitment to excellence in the field of metrology. The company’s contribution to SteelFab reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen its place as a leader in the advancement and innovation of precision measurement technology.

Baty, proudly part of the Made in Britain collective, reflects the essence of British manufacturing on a global scale. The Made in Britain mark signifies the commitment to quality and precision in Baty’s vision systems.For further information www.bowersgroup.co.uk

Industry-first zoom-enabled optical 3D scanner

Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division is launching a new type of high-productivity structured light scanner. Built on a completely re-engineered platform, Hexagon says the SmartScan VR800 is the first optical 3D scanner on the market with a motorised zoom lens that enables users to adjust data resolution and measurement volume entirely through software settings. This capability improves the productivity of quality inspection, and further enhances workflows with more efficient post-scanning alignment processes.

Whereas conventional structured light scanners have a fixed optical configuration, the combination of dual stereo cameras and optical zoom-enabled projection makes the SmartScan VR800 more flexible, allowing users to define in exactly which form they collect their data.

Three new software functions – Smart Resolution, Smart Zoom and Smart Snap – allow the user to customise inspection resolution and measurement volume with no mechanical alterations to the system. This capability means that data-heavy high-resolution scans can focus on the feature-rich areas that matter most, while covering other areas more efficiently via larger and/or lower resolution scans.

The new system simplifies the scanning process from start to finish. Users can: easily adjust scan detail and size with software (no manual changes needed); mix detailed and broad scans into one model for faster results; and process scans quicker by cutting down on excess data, while keeping essential details.

Pirmin Bitzi, general manager for portable metrology devices at Hexagon, explains: “The need to change optics for different use cases has always been a key challenge when implementing structured light scanning inspection solutions. Finding a solution to that industry-wide problem was a key motivator. We wanted a way to meet the demands of applications where it’s not efficient to scan everything at high resolutions, nor acceptable to scan everything at lower resolutions.”

For further information www.hexagon.com/mi

Global TICC services provider buys TrustCB

NMi Group, a global specialist in mission-critical testing, inspection, certification and calibration (TICC) services, has acquired TrustCB in the cybersecurity domain. This strategic move solidifies NMi Group as a major provider of certification services for the evolving landscape of digitally integrated and smart devices.

Now part of NMi Group, TrustCB is the exclusive commercial certification body for the globally recognised Common Criteria (CC) cybersecurity standard, working with global clients and capable of certifying up to the highest levels (EAL7). This strategic alignment reinforces NMi Group’s commitment to a comprehensive approach, integrating legal metrology and CC standards to ensure the overall reliability and integrity of smart industrial devices.

A key emphasis of the acquisition is TrustCB’s expertise in translating CC standards via SESIP to the IoT domain. This strategic move further fortifies NMi Group’s dedication to ‘Measure Tomorrow’ by synergising measurement precision with robust cybersecurity standards.

Expressing enthusiasm about the strategic move, Yvo Jansen (pictured), NMi Group CEO, states: “Acquiring TrustCB fortifies our commitment to excellence in smart industrial devices. By integrating accuracy in measurements with robust cybersecurity standards, we ensure regulatory compliance and enhance the overall reliability of our solutions.”

Echoing this sentiment, Wouter Slegers, who will continue to as TrustCB’s CEO, adds: “Joining forces with NMi Group is a strategic move safeguarding the TrustCB CC and dedicated scheme certification business even further. In practical ways, nothing changes: TrustCB remains the trusted, responsive partner as a certification body. This synergy amplifies our commitment to precision and security in smart industrial devices, advancing the global standard for regulatory compliance and elevating the trustworthiness of our certified solutions.”

For further information www.nmi.nl