Hurco to hold ‘Demo Deals Day’ in October

Inaugurated in 2023, a ‘Demo Deals Day’ will be hosted by Hurco Europe on 2 October 2025 at the company’s showroom and demonstration centre in High Wycombe. Every machine on show will be available to purchase at a discounted ex-demonstration price. Furthermore, a 20% discount will apply to some new ex-stock models, including the high-capacity, high-torque, three-axis VMX50Ti vertical machining centre.

New this year is that similar offers will apply to Hurco machines installed in the dedicated training facility and technical centre at Kirklees College, Huddersfield, with which the machine tool company collaborates. Furthermore, the scope of the offers extends to accessories fitted to the machines, such as Hurco software and tooling, Renishaw probing, rotary tables, and Filtermist units.

More information www.hurco.com

RAF manufactures its first 3D-printed part

The Royal Air Force has fitted its first in-house manufactured 3D-printed component to an operational Typhoon fighter jet, marking a revolutionary step towards faster aircraft repairs and reduced downtime. This notable milestone was achieved at RAF Coningsby, where engineers successfully installed a temporary replacement part for the pylon assembly that connects weapons systems to the aircraft’s wing. The repair was manufactured at the Hilda B. Hewitt Centre for Innovation, which the RAF says is equipped with world-leading 3D printing and scanning equipment. 

More information www.raf.mod.uk

Metals Supply Chain Joins Together

UK Metals Expo, a leading UK exhibition that brings the entire metals supply chain together with the worlds of engineering, manufacturing and construction, will open its doors next week (10-11 September) at the NEC in Birmingham. Over 7500 visitors are expected at the show, seeking everything from primary metal manufacturing and metal processing to metalworking, fabrication, CNC machinery, surface finishing and recycling.

More than 320 exhibitors will showcase products and solutions across the entire supply chain, while 100+ speakers will share their knowledge, innovations, insights and best practices across 30+ seminar sessions. Show visitors can: learn about new technology, machinery, tools, training and services; source a wide range of materials from leading metal stockholders and distributors; and connect with market experts – all under one roof.

More information www.ukmetalsexpo.com

Starrag introduces Heckert X70 f-axis machine

Starrag has launched the Heckert X70, a versatile five-axis machining centre designed to deliver precision and productivity within a compact footprint. Building on the features of the Heckert HEC X5 series, the Heckert X70 incorporates a swivel unit on the workpiece side, facilitating dynamic five-axis machining from a single clamping position.

Due to receive its world premiere at the EMO 2025 exhibition in Hanover on 22-26 September (stand C35, hall 12), the Heckert X70 offers X, Y and Z-axis travel of 1200 x 1100 x 1200 mm. The compact machine requires 18% less installation space than its predecessor: the Heckert HEC 630 X5. It accommodates workpieces with a core contour diameter of 960 mm and a maximum height of 800 mm, supporting a mass of up to 1000 kg.

Turning is an integral part of the machine concept and can be configured as an option. Using specially developed assemblies and software modules, both classic and complex turning operations are possible with the productivity of a machining centre, reports Starrag. Unlike a turning centre, the machine benefits from various set-up options. Not only can users clamp workpieces vertically for extra convenience, they can also clamp them during the machining operation thanks to the pallet changer.

The Heckert X70’s rapid traverse rate of 65 m/min and fast component changeover times enhance productivity. Pallet changes are completed in 17.5 seconds, while the tool changer provides a chip-to-chip time of 7.4 seconds.

Customers can choose from a range of tool magazine options, including a timing belt magazine with 45 or 60 positions for HSK-100 tools, a chain magazine with a capacity of up to 120 HSK-100 tools, and a tower magazine capable of supporting up to 440 HSK-100 tools.

More information www.starrag.com

Motorsport specialist brings production in-house

Located near Dumfries, Dunbar Race Engineering was established in 2018 by Duncan Dunbar to design and supply prototype motorcycle parts and small batches of components for the motorsport market. The company also reverse engineers and remanufactures parts that are no longer available, especially for historic and emerging classic racing motorbikes. Today, the firm provides engineering and manufacturing services to other sectors as well, including parts for internal combustion engines targeting the hydrogen market.

At the outset, the company outsourced production. However, Duncan realised that to increase flexibility, reduce lead-times and ensure consistent quality, it would be necessary to progress from a home workshop and move to manufacturing in-house. So in spring 2022, he moved the company into an industrial unit and purchased a Hurco VM10i three-axis vertical machining centre with a 4th-axis rotary table.

Describing his experience of dealing with Hurco, Dunbar says: “They’re nice people to work with and the VM10i is a cracking machine. It has a large working area for its footprint and fitted neatly into the space we had available.”

To make high-quality parts to fine tolerances, sometimes as tight as ±10 µm, the manufacturer takes full advantage of both the Hurco machine’s build quality and the conversational programming of the WinMax control, which Dunbar says is easy and intuitive to use. Most work, including complex jobs requiring 3+1-axis machining, is programmed directly at the control. Tool-path simulation and verification graphics help to avoid any potential input mistakes.

“What you see on the screen is what you get on the part,” confirms Dunbar.

More information www.hurco.com