Training the future at Babcock

Bringing on the next generation of engineers to work across its many customer programmes is a key focus for engineering company Babcock International.

This is highlighted at its Bristol facilities, where it develops specialist systems and complex equipment from concept through design, manufacture and assembly, to installation. Here, investment has taken place in the company’s production training facility, with seven machines being installed by XYZ Machine Tools, including a number of ProtoTrak controlled turret mills and ProtoTrak controlled lathes.
Bringing in these machines has enabled Babcock to adapt its training as the technology adds greater flexibility and capability. “We are now able to deliver the Performing Engineering Operations (PEO) NVQ 2 in the first year of training; after that apprentices and higher apprentices can focus on specific departmental roles in machining, fitting, assembly or project management,” explains Babcock’s apprentice training manager Tim Jacobs.
The XYZ ProtoTrak control delivers on requirements with its ease-of-use, making the transition from manual to CNC straightforward. The ProtoTrak mills are set up with just a two-axis option, with no powered Z axis. This means that apprentices and graduates gain good experience in ‘feel’ when it comes to machining through the combination of manual and CNC operation.
Jacobs highlights the simplicity of the conversational programming systems: “The XYZ ProtoTrak control is very straightforward to use and we always have the assurance that we can call on XYZ with any questions that we may have; be it on programming, or simply just getting the best out of the machines.”
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

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