Westermans broadens ProArc distributorship

Westermans International is enhancing its services to customers in both the home and international markets with a sole UK and Ireland distributorship agreement for the ProArc range of welding, cutting and drilling systems.

Although a supplier of ProArc equipment into worldwide markets for some 25 years, this latest move is set to strengthen product availability and choice in the UK and Ireland, while also providing support where needed for the company’s European sales activity.
Key markets where the development will be of particular note include automotive exhaust, vacuum component and cryogenic vessel manufacturing, as well as water tank, aircraft component, flexible metal hose and sheet metal fabrication. Westermans will be stocking a broad range of ProArc products. Also, a number of units will be set-up for viewing and demonstration at the company’s Leicester premises.
For further information www.westermans.com

Extra CNC axes boost VMC productivity

Compound tables for converting a three-axis VMC into a four-axis or five-axis machine are becoming increasingly popular.

Such tables boost output by reducing the number of component set-ups, often enabling one-hit production, and minimising tolerance build-up for higher accuracy machining. Fixture costs are lower, handling is less and smaller batches can be produced economically, reducing cost per part.
Provided that a rigid, high quality table is purchased, the metal-cutting configuration will be just as robust and accurate as the rotary axes on true five-axis machines.
Kitagawa, which is represented in the UK by sole agent 1st Machine Tool Accessories, manufactures the world’s largest range of NC rotary tables, covering single- and multiple-spindle, tilting, and waterproof models. The tables can be configured with the motor on the right, left, back or top. Table diameters range from as small as 100 mm, including some with built-in 5C spindles, up to 500 mm.
Most models can be supplied with a number of options – including integral ports in the faceplate to enable hydraulic fixture operation – allowing workpieces to be secured automatically.

The most popular tables can be configured for use in conjunction with the Kitagawa Quinte controller. Using a simple M code, a table can be operated from any CNC system, providing the versatility to swap work between three-axis VMCs with different controls. Another option is to operate the Quinte controller through an RS232 connection, which allows the rotary table to be controlled via the machine CNC, eliminating the need for two separate programs.
Through 1st Machine Tool Accessories, Kitagawa offers various options to complement its rotary tables, such as manual, pneumatic or hydraulic tailstocks, tail spindles with built-in clamping system, trunnion assemblies, rotary joints, air/hydraulic intensifiers, and manual, pneumatic and hydraulic
chuck systems.
For further information www.1mta.com

Mazak achieves record sales in 2018

Yamazaki Mazak celebrated a record year for machine sales in 2018, due to strong performance across a number of key market sectors, including automotive, oil and gas, and medical.

“The resurgence of the oil and gas market was much-welcomed, and we saw great success with the sales of machines from the larger section of our portfolio, such as the Integrex e-H range of multi-tasking machine tools, as well as our MegaTurn vertical turning centres,” says Alan Mucklow, managing director UK and Ireland sales division.
“A particularly pleasing aspect of our 2018 sales performance was the volume of commodity machines, including the UK-made, entry-level QT Compact turning centre range, and the Quick Turn series,” he continues. “The company has invested heavily in improving its European Manufacturing Centre in Worcester in recent years, and it is especially rewarding to see that investment translate into shorter lead times and strong
sales for UK-built machines.”
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk

AWI achieves best month ever for sales

Alloy Wire International (AWI), which supplies more than 60 different nickel alloys, secured over £1.2m of sales in January.

In total, the company shipped 339 individual orders to customers in 27 different countries. This performance equated to AWI’s best ever month in 73 years of trading. Boosted by a new quoting system, the company has seen demand for its wire emanate from clients in the automotive, aerospace, oil and gas, and nuclear sectors, with many citing AWI’s three-week lead times as being crucial to their manufacturing operations. A significant proportion of new work has come from the EU.
For further information www.alloywire.com

Growth at galvanizing specialist

A Shropshire company is embarking on ambitious growth plans to boost its £11.4m annual sales by 15%, with the potential of creating 30 new jobs in 2019.

Corbetts the galvanizers, one of the UK’s longest established hot-dip galvanizers, is looking to build on significant investment in new equipment and a number of senior appointments to target opportunities in the agricultural, transport infrastructure, street furniture and utilities markets. Despite a challenging year due to rising zinc costs, the Halesfield-based firm has managed to secure a number of new contracts that are making the most of the larger galvanizing kettle it installed in late 2017.
For further information www.wcorbett.co.uk