Mazak invests in UK production plant

Yamazaki Mazak has made a series of major investments at its UK-based European manufacturing plant in Worcester. The multi-million-pound investments include two manufacturing cells making parts for new Mazak machine tools. Each cell is equipped with an Integrex i-Series machine from Mazak’s flagship multi-tasking solutions range, and RoboJob automation.

Specifically, the RoboJob Tower system is designed to deliver extended periods of unmanned running from a small footprint. The 4.6 m-high tower system is equipped with twin-elevator storage trays, with one feeding a robot for transferring workpieces to the machine tool, while the other allows the operator to replenish parts. In addition, a VTC-800 series machine has been installed in the jig-boring area.
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk

ONA EDM installed at Concours Mold

Concours Mold, which claims to be one of the leading manufacturers of large automotive moulds in North America, is relying on recently installed ONA EDM technology to help it meet the demands of customers that include General Motors, Ford, Nissan, Chrysler, Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. ONA EDM technology can be acquired in the UK from CNC International.

To provide a reliable response and the best possible service to such important companies, Windsor, Canada-based Concours Mold has acquired a double-head ONA TQX10 die-sink EDM machine, which is said to be the biggest in the market, with travel distances available up to 3000, 1500 and 1000 mm in the three linear axes.
By combining the machine’s two heads simultaneously and independently it is possible to save 50% of the erosion time and increase productivity by 200%. The TQX10 package purchased by Concours Mold also includes two Erowa robots for changing electrodes.
At Concours Mold, lead time times for moulds are currently between 8 and 24 weeks, depending on size and technical complexity. The company manufactures between 300 and 350 moulds per year.
Sales manager at Concours Mold, Ed Ergun, says: “We are always looking for the latest breakthroughs in machinery and equipment; anything that results in better quality parts and shorter lead times for our clients.”
For further information www.onaedm.com

Hirschmann becomes Carl Hirschmann

Fluorn-Winzeln-based Hirschmann GmbH has reworked its corporate identity and become Carl Hirschmann GmbH, which is an expression of brand values and based on the name of the company’s founder. Carl Hirschmann GmbH develops and produces rotary tables and clamping systems that allow precise and efficient workpiece machining on EDM machines, as well as other machine tool types. The company recently concluded its financial year, increasing sales to more than €29 million.

“Confusion and a profile that does not do justice to the performance; that was too often the feedback from customers, staff and applicants, which in turn was the reason for our decision to completely rework the corporate identity of our company,” explains Rainer Harter, managing director and CTO.
The brand is a new interpretation and a tribute to the birth of the company in Stuttgart in 1957, which was founded by Carl Hirschmann. Since 1961, the company has been located in Fluorn-Winzeln.
“Today we go back to our roots,” says Andreas Jesek, managing director and CFO of the company. “As one of the top innovators in Germany, we needed a unique name that would create a high degree of recognition all over the world.”
All of the company’s products are high precision and developed and manufactured based on customer requirements. The emphasis to be the world leader can be found in Carl Hirschmann’s new motto “the precision benchmark in bearings, indexing and clamping solutions.”
For further information www.carlhirschmann.de

FANUC EDMs displayed at EMO 2019

Developed for high-precision cutting tasks mandated by the medical, as well as the tool and mouldmaking industries, two models from the Robocut range of wire EDM machines from FANUC were fully operational on the company’s stand at the recent EMO 2019 exhibition.

The smaller α-C400iB model was supported by a collaborative robot, complete with iRVision to identify components that need to be machined, while the larger α-C800iB machine was cutting aerospace parts.
Elsewhere on the stand, FANUC gave a full European debut to the company’s IIoT platform, which is called FIELD (FANUC Intelligent Edge Link and Drive). The FIELD system connects a broad range of FANUC and third-party production technologies – including both new and legacy models – to provide fast, centralised access to all production data within a factory; helping end users take a decisive step towards smart factory status.
Unlike other IIoT solutions, FIELD is ‘edge-heavy’, which allows data to be collected and processed at source on the shop floor, rather than in the cloud, thus giving the operators access to far more accurate real-time data and analytics, explains the company. FIELD is fully scalable across multiple cells within a factory, to allow manufacturers to make informed and intelligent decisions that can drive tangible improvements in productivity.
The FIELD system is compatible with a number of different applications, including those designed by third parties, such as software houses, system integrators and even end users. FANUC’s FIELD system app store will launch in Q4 2019.
For further information www.fanuc.eu

Sodick took best-of-breed EDMs to EMO

From its largest ever stand at EMO, Sodick said it took best-of-breed technology to the exhibition, with European debuts for the ACL400P high accuracy wire EDM and the ALC800G large-capacity premium wire machine. These newcomers were accompanied on the stand by two of Sodick’s most advanced EDM ‘big beasts’, the AG80L die sink and ALC800G wire machine, while automation options were demonstrated by the AG60L die sinker with robot.

The new ALC400P ultra-high-precision wire EDM incorporates as standard an inverter-type dielectric chiller which monitors and maintains the dielectric temperature to within ±1°, minimising the thermal effect inside the work area. An additional thermal sensor is installed inside the work tank for even more accurate temperature control.
As a further benefit, the CNC controller incorporates 2D pitch compensating software which automatically compensates pitch error in positioning every square of 10 x 10 mm. In addition, cross-type roller guides help provide high rigidity, high accuracy and longer life.
Elsewhere on the stand was the new ALC800G large-capacity premium wire EDM, which becomes the largest standard machine in the range with its 1250 x 1020 mm work tank and maximum workpiece weight of 3000 kg.
Incorporating the latest digital innovations in generator technologies and the use of advanced electrode materials, the ALC range provides major advances in cutting speed, accuracy and surface finish – made possible through Sodick’s in-house development and manufacture of all critical technologies, including linear motors, discharge power supply, NC unit, motion controller and ceramics.
For further information www.sodick.org