Travelling-column machine with Siemens CNC

The latest machine from Yamazaki Mazak to feature a Siemens CNC is its VTC-760C vertical travelling-column machining centre, which is controlled by the 828D.

Based on a dual-load configuration, the machine benefits from a compact footprint, as well as a long X-axis stroke and 2300 mm fixed table. Also featured is a 12,000 rpm spindle and rapid traverse rates of 42 m/min in the X, Y and Z axes.
The inclusion of the Siemens control represents an entry into the commodity market, as the 828D is viewed as a mid-range CNC for turning and milling machines. A 15.6” touch-screen display runs on Sinumerk Operate 4.7 and features a built-in keyboard with USB and ethernet interfaces.
A number of intelligent operations underpin the CNC, including ShopMill, which automatically compiles machining step programs to enable multiple clamping operations with fewer tool changes. A built-in maintenance planner is also included.
The control communicates in over 20 languages and can be programmed to send SMS messages to operators, machine setters, or service and maintenance technicians, providing alerts for tool life, availability of blanks and upcoming maintenance schedules. Importantly, the control is also able to provide automatic feedback on a range of machine diagnostics.
Similarly, the VTC-800/20SR, on which Mazak has offered the Siemens 840D sl control since 2013, is now the first company machine to feature the new style of control panel. Comprising a 19” touch screen, the latest control panel can be tilted and rotated to offer improved operator ergonomics. As with the 828D, the 840D sl runs on Sinumerik Operate 4.7 and is able to provide users with a number of connectivity and diagnostic functions.
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk

RP invests

Prototype and production tooling and plastic injection-moulding company, RP Technologies, has invested more than £130,000 on additional machinery.

The company has purchased a Borche 600-tonne injection-moulding machine to add to its suite of machinery in the West Midlands. The Borche will increase the company’s part size offering to components with a shot-weight capacity up to 2.3kg. This is RP’s second investment of the year, having already spent £250,000 on two sizeable Hurco CNC machining centres, a hot-plate welding machine and a mould simulation analysis software package.
For further information www.rptechnologies.co.uk

On-site metals advice

A metallurgy consultancy service, which aims to help firms save costs with advice on smarter manufacturing solutions, is now available at Kuka’s UK subcontract friction-welding facility.

Professor Kameel Sawalha has moved his independent laboratory business, Aston Microscopy & Engineering, to the site at Halesowen where Kuka joins components for manufacturers involved in a variety of industries. His expertise not only covers metallurgical and corrosion investigation, but failure analysis and materials selection.
For further information www.kuka.com

£5m international orders for Mollart

Deep-hole drilling specialist Mollart Engineering has captured international orders worth over £5m.

An order from one of the largest independent automotive manufacturers in North America, worth some £2.5m, will see Mollart supply four special purpose four- and six-spindle gun-drilling centres for producing oil galleries in transmission shafts. A further US order is for a Prismabore PRB 25 six-axis combination gun-drilling and machining centre, which is to be used for the deep-hole drilling of cooling holes in steel moulds. Mollart also reports that a two-spindle Drillsprint LD2-750 machine is going to China to drill holes 7-10 mm diameter by 600 mm deep in forged alloy steel diesel fuel rails.
For further information www.mollart.com

Record sales and new showroom

XYZ Machine Tools has ended its 2017/18 financial year with record figures of almost £31m for machines that have been delivered to customers and invoiced (excluding export sales).

This represents an increase of 20% over the previous year for the UK. The news comes as the company also announces the opening of a new showroom in Slough, serving the southern England region. To celebrate, an open day will take place at the Slough facility on 12 July (09:00-15:00).
The showroom has undergone a full refurbishment to bring it to the standard of XYZ’s other four showrooms across England, and replaces the Waltham Abbey site in Essex, which had been outgrown by the company.
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com