Master adds team leaders

Master Abrasives has appointed several team leaders to support and ensure efficient running of the company’s departments.

Paul Batson, managing director, explains the newly devised approach: “The introduction of team leaders in chosen departments will give us a more defined structure and ensure that clarity is maintained for all, especially when the manager of the team is not on-site. I believe this move will make us more efficient, and help prepare the business for continued growth.”
For further information www.master-abrasives.co.uk

WIN event set for AMRC in January

The launch event for the new Northern branch of the Women’s Infrastructure Network (WIN) is being held at the University of Sheffield’s AMRC.

Founded by women at key regional businesses, the Northern WIN brings together women working in infrastructure sectors across the north of England. The event, which is being hosted by the Nuclear AMRC, aims to link together like-minded women who want to expand their professional networks across industries and share best practice.
There will be presentations from women working in senior roles in the UK’s nuclear power sector. The half-day event on 24 January is free to attend.

Co-operation deal for Horn and W&F

A new co-operation agreement between two German companies, tool manufacturer Horn and lathe tool-holder producer W&F Werkzeugtechnik, aims to offer customers complete solutions covering everything from the spindle to the tool cutting edge.

Initially, the collaboration will focus on quick tool-change systems for sliding-head lathes and internally cooled whirling units. Under the deal, W&F tool solutions will be sold worldwide by Horn through its subsidiaries and sales partners in more than 70 countries. The UK subsidiary, Horn Cutting Tools, is located in Ringwood, Hampshire.
For further information www.phorn.co.uk

Mazak recognised for environmental best practice

Yamazaki Mazak UK has won the Silver Environment Award at the International Green Apple Awards, for its efforts to reduce single-use plastic cups at its European Manufacturing Plant in Worcester.

The national campaign by The Green Organisation recognises and rewards the greenest individuals, companies, councils and communities in the country, with the winners announced at a recent ceremony hosted by Liz Kendall MP at the Houses of Parliament.
Mazak competed against more than 800 other nominations in the Environmental Best Practice category, but the company’s project, ‘Reduce and Remove Single-Use Plastic Cups’, stood out. Historically, the Worcester factory was using 8000 disposable cups per month, but thanks to the efforts of Mazak’s Environment Team, this has been significantly reduced. There is now potential for the company to represent the UK in the Green World Awards 2019 and have 100 trees planted in its name as part of the United Nations’ Billion Trees initiative.
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk

Cost-effective pneumatic workpiece ejector

Clamping specialist Hainbuch is now offering users of its Mini Series, or the earlier Toplus or Spanntop chucks, an innovation that is designed to save time and money. Vario Part and Vario Quick end-stop systems already in the product portfolio have now been joined by a third variant, the Vario Flex.

The pneumatic workpiece ejector pushes the workpiece from the chuck automatically. Pneumatic workpiece ejector depth can be adjusted by means of a retaining mechanism, and can be positioned in the machine exactly as required for the workpiece.

Hainbuch’s Vario Flex workpiece ejector can also be used as a basic end-stop for coolant wash or air flush. To do this, the pneumatic spring is removed and a feed tube attached. The optional workpiece-specific end stop with holes for the wash and air-flush can then be mounted directly to the interface.

According to Hainbuch, valuable time can be saved using the standardised end stops. Set-up times are reduced and the user always has the right end stop to hand. Whether to use Vario Quick or Vario Part is just a matter of preference. For precise, rigid clamping, Hainbuch recommends using the Vario Part system, which works on the same principle as a gauge block. System height can be adjusted in 1 mm steps with gauge discs. Featuring axial run-out of < 0.02 mm at the part of the end stop that touches the workpiece, Vario Part is suitable for machining finished components. The Vario Quick variant, which is intended for fast, flexible clamping, has a trapezoidal thread screw to allow clamping length to be adjusted quickly. A half-turn is equivalent to an axial adjustment of 1 mm. For further information www.hainbuch.com