HMCs showcased

The stand of Starrag will centre on Heckert’s four-/five-axis horizontal machining centres, as well as on how the company’s Integrated Production System (IPS) is an integral part of Starrag’s Industry 4.0 strategies (hall 17, stand 530).

Heckert’s recently announced horizontal machine series offers traverse rates up to 80 m/min. The machines – H45, H50 and H55, L40, L50, L55 and X40 – not only have a smaller footprint of up to 30% less than traditional horizontal-spindle models, which results in an estimated 15% increase in productivity per unit area, but offer acceleration rates of 1.2 G, tool-change (chip-to-chip) times down to 2.2 seconds and pallet-change times down to 8.5 seconds. The latest Heckert HMCs are based on a modular design that enables the use of different pallets. In all cases there is an optional NC rotary table (up to 900 rpm) for turning operations in the same set-up. Different tool magazines are available up to 320 stations.
For further information www.starrag.com

Smart manufacturing

Renishaw will showcase a range of process control solutions for advanced manufacturing industries (hall 19, stand 43).

For instance, a machining cell will be on display to demonstrate how high levels of automation and connectivity can be incorporated into CNC machining operations. The cell will replicate the closed-loop process control applications that Renishaw uses to machine parts at its own production facilities in the UK, such as the 460,000 sq ft site in Miskin, Wales, where the integrated application of the company’s technologies enables productive, automated manufacturing with reduced labour and skill requirements, despite the low-volume, high-variety production environment.
For further information www.renishaw.com

Multi-spindle turning on display

Tornos will give a UK exhibition debut to the MultiSwiss 8×26 (hall 19, stand 312). The machine is one of a family of three that range in spindle size from 14 to 32 mm. Equipped with eight spindles and eight slides for main operations, and accommodating up to three tools per slide, the MultiSwiss 8×26 features eight synchronous motor spindles and fast barrel indexing for producing turned parts up to 26 mm in diameter. Each of the 11 kW motor spindles is equipped with a C axis and counter spindle.

The counter spindle is mounted on two axes so it can work completely independently. Offering up to five tool positions, two of these provide the option of driven tools. A quick-change tool-holder system developed for MultiSwiss machines makes full use of kinematics that focus on keeping tools close to the workpiece, maximising in-cut time. Thanks to the damping performance when machining, Tornos says that the MultiSwiss can improve surface finish and extend tool life by an average of 30%, and up to 70% in some cases.
For further information www.tornos.com

Automation choices boost efficiency

RARUK Automation will shine the spotlight on a number of innovations, including a SCARA robot from TM Robotics, which will be demonstrated with a FlexiBowl system for feeding a wide variety parts (hall 19, stand 238).

RARUK Automation is a preferred supplier of Universal Robots in the UK and naturally these collaborative robots (cobots) will also feature heavily on the company’s stand. Three Universal Robots will be demonstrating a variety of applications, all complete with Robotiq grippers, vision systems and force/torque sensors.
Information will also be available on the latest MiR customisable mobile robots for transport tasks.
For further information www.rarukautomation.co.uk

CAM suites reveal 2018 updates

Vero Software will be demonstrating the 2018 R1 releases of its Edgecam, Radan and VISI CADCAM solutions (hall 18, stand 430).

The latest Edgecam includes updates to roughing cycles for milling, turning and mill-turn machining. Here, the prevention of unnecessary CAM regeneration is seen as being particularly important. Radan 2018.1 takes growing demand for automatic bending into consideration, making finger stops safer by allowing for improved part alignment in the press brake, and reducing the number of finger-stop movements required between bends. For the mould and die market, the latest VISI provides greater flexibility when constructing supplier and non-standard tool configurations.
For further information www.verosoftware.com