Recognising future engineering talent

The Design & Make Challenge 2024, organised and run by the Manufacturing Assembly Network (MAN) earlier this month, attracted nearly 100 pupils from 15 schools in what was one of the largest independent STEM events ever held in the UK. Southam College, Barclay Academy and Lawrence Sheriff High School took the main prizes, winning the Efficiency, Innovation and Manufacturing Awards respectively. Judges liked the way they tackled their challenge, using a box of simple materials to build a device that could securely lift a 23 kg metal block with nothing more than a pulley system.

More information www.man-group.co.uk

Hyundai Wia CNC lathe attracts the crowds

Ward CNC returned to the MACH 2024 exhibition in Birmingham earlier this year with a double presence. Highlights included many visitors enjoying the display put on by cutting tool partner Vargus UK, which showcased a Hyundai Wia HD3100YA Y-axis CNC lathe (available in the UK from Ward CNC). The company was also delighted with visits from other lathe principals such as Gurutzpe and Takisawa Japan.

At MACH, Ward CNC was able to discuss its wide range of CNC machine tool and metalworking solutions with both new and returning customers from across the UK, resulting in much interest and many enquiries.

Ward CNC’s applications team showcased the impressive specification of the Hyundai-Wia CNC lathe, which ran live demonstrations throughout the week on the Vargus stand. Among the machine’s features are hardened and ground box guideways, plus a one-piece heavy-duty cast-iron bed for accuracy and rigidity during machining. Further features include a BMT65P turret, Y axis, C axis, driven tooling, 10″ chuck, 12-station ATC and a FANUC 0iT control with 15-inch monitor. Users can take advantage of a 760 mm maximum turning length and a swing-over-bed of 800 mm. The A2-8 spindle nose offers 3500 rpm, plus 5000 rpm live tooling speed.

Utilising a range of cutting tools from Vargus, the demonstration showcased a vast array of machining techniques, including wave-form grooving, Y-axis milling, and C-axis polar milling. Ward CNC is now in discussions with the businesses and engineers who came for a chat during the exhibition. The company holds over 40 machines in stock from seven brands.

More information www.wardcnc.com

VDW Hosts Kuala Lumpur Symposium

With its ‘Innovations in Production Technology – German Machine Tools Symposium’ in
Kuala Lumpur earlier this month, the VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association)
helped its members gain a stronger foothold in growth markets. Eight German high-tech
companies used the VDW symposium to sound out their opportunities in the presence of
110 Malaysian trade visitors. The companies – DMG Mori, Chiron, Grob, Hermle, Index, Open
Mind Technologies, Schütte and United Grinding – also participated in 48 B2B meetings. The
VDW estimates that the Malaysian machine tool market is worth more than €700m.
More information www.vdw.de

Multi-axis turning options from Dugard

Following the announcement that the Mylas range of multi-axis turning centres will be available in the UK from Dugard, the latest machines to join the portfolio are the DY twin-spindle, double Y axis, multi-tasking turning centres. Rapidly following the UK launch of the Mylas DT series of twin-spindle, twin turret turn-mill centres, the double Y-axis configuration of the DY range presents manufacturers with more flexibility than ever before.

The arrival of the DY series with two Y axes presents new opportunities to machine shops in the aerospace, automotive, medical, hydraulics, electronics and general subcontract manufacturing arenas. Like DT models, the DY series is available in three variants: the DY42, DY52 and DY60. Each designation specifies the maximum bar turning capacity of the main spindle.

From a specification perspective, travel is 175 mm in X1/X2 axes with 240 mm on the sub-spindle, whilst Z1/Z2 travel is 450 and 500 mm respectively with ±35 mm in the Y axis. The DY42, DY52 and DY65 have a swing over the saddle of 260 mm with a maximum bar turning length of 135 and 150 mm on the main spindle and 60 mm on the sub-spindle, providing a total maximum turning length of 350 mm.

Dugard says that the DY series offers robust construction with oversize precision ground box-ways on all axes that deliver rigidity and precision with heavy-duty cutting capability. Underpinning these attributes is the stress-relieved Meehanite casting that maximises vibration dampening and supports the heavy-duty precision spindle.

Looking at the kinematics of this addition to the Dugard portfolio, front machining is supported by a 7.5/11 kW spindle motor with a BMT 45 12-station tool turret that can accommodate up to 24 tool positions.

More information www.dugard.com

Danobat buys Delta Wheel Truing Solutions

Vertical turning lathe (VTL) manufacturer Danobat is strengthening its position in the North American rail market with the acquisition of US-based company Delta Wheel Truing Solutions. Signing the agreement at Delta’s headquarters in Escanaba, Michigan, Danobat continues to make its way in the United States. Danobat entered the US market in 1982. The company has a technical centre in Chicago focused on the development of solutions for processes such as hard turning.

“This acquisition is an important boost that will position us as one of the benchmark players in the North American rail sector, bringing competition for in-situ wheel profiling maintenance that has been lacking in North America,” says Oskar Uria, director of the Railway Business Unit at Danobat. “Delta’s expertise and know-how will be a strategic support for Danobat to grow in such a demanding market.”

The main objective of this approach is to get closer to the US market, offering products tailored to the specific needs of customers in the North American railway sector. In addition, the Escanaba plant will provide direct services, ensuring a close and agile service to customers. 

Delta has a team of people with extensive experience in the design and manufacture of rail wheel re-profiling equipment. In addition, it holds several patents on different systems, offering unique solutions to the market. The manufacturing capacity in the US, its products and customer base are key elements for future joint development with Danobat.

Danobat has recently inaugurated a new 130,000 sq ft plant with increased manufacturing capacity at its Elgoibar manufacturing complex in northern Spain. The acquisition of Delta adds to its strategic investments for the coming years.

More information www.danobatgroup.com