Efficient five-axis HMC from Makino

A new addition to the Makino family of five-axis machining centres is announced by UK and Ireland agent, NCMT. With a working volume of 730 x 750 x 700 mm, the a500Z horizontal spindle model features a rigid structure and low inertia, which is said to endow it with production efficiency similar to that of a four-axis machine.

A one-piece base casting, slant-bed design and three-point support offer high stiffness and stability, while the swivelling table has minimal overhang. High positioning accuracy is aided by the short distance between the A-axis pivot point and the workpiece. Also assisting precision is a thermally symmetrical structure that is combined with heat removal from the 303 Nm HSK-A63 Makino spindle and core-cooled ballscrews, while direct-drive motors on the rotary axes are fitted with cooling jackets.
The ability to use inertia-active control during simultaneous five-axis metal cutting allows users to accelerate and decelerate workpieces measuring up to 630 mm diameter by 500 mm high, and weighing up to 400 kg. Additionally, the standard automatic tool changer accommodates up to 60 cutters and achieves a chip-to-chip time of 2.4 seconds.
With regard to chip and coolant control, contrary to conventional five-axis trunnion table set-ups, the a500Z has a wide trough located beneath the table. Coolant flow from a washing system that encompasses the pallet loading area prevents chips accumulating by ensuring they fall directly into the trough.
Automation is available for both pallet and parts handling, including the MMC2 and VIP, which employ six-axis robots. Standard automation systems available on the market can similarly be integrated with the machine.
For further information www.ncmt.co.uk

Keeping vintage wheels turning

In order to meet demand for quick turnaround on low volume parts, and with the company’s original mill coming to the end of its life and now obsolete, Alstonefield-based Tractor Spare Parts Ltd placed an order for a two-axis XYZ SMX 2000 turret mill, specifying the optional DXF converter.

“For many of the parts we make I have to create new CAD files as drawings either never existed or the originals are long gone,” says co-owner Andrew Griffin. “The ability to then export the DXF file straight to the ProtoTrak control is a sizable advantage. The support available from XYZ is also a big plus. When the machine first arrived I struggled to get to grips with the DXF side of things, so XYZ sent an applications engineer to us here in the middle of the Peak District who spent time explaining the system. Everything fell into place and now it is second nature.”
Co-owner Joanna Griffin adds: “The tractor spares side of the business is all mail order via our website, but due to the nature of the parts we are producing and the age of the vehicles they are being fitted to, there may have been modifications along the way. Therefore, we tend to contact customers directly and discuss what they actually want. These conversations ensure that they get exactly the part they need and Andrew can tailor the manufacture of that component easily with the XYZ SMX mill. We are then confident to ship it halfway around the world in the knowledge that it will fit.”
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

Tooling premieres

On Stand M1 at Advanced Engineering 2017 (NEC, 1-2 November) Mapal will demonstrate the extension of the company’s hole-making line with its new CPR500/510 replaceable-head reamer.

Incorporating optimised cooling and a CVD coating, the reamer (8-40 mm) has been developed for the machining of castings in sectors such aerospace. Complementing this new line will be a complete programme of ISO indexable inserts for boring steel, stainless steel and heat-resistant cast steel. The new series will be available in standard and special designs.
For further information www.mapal.com

Cobot show

On Stand CM28 at Advanced Engineering 2017 (NEC, 1-2 November), visitors to the stand of Universal Robot (UR) distributor RARUK Automation will be able to see how humans and robots can work collaboratively.

UR now offers three ‘cobot’ arms in its range, each categorised according to their payload limits. The smallest and most recent addition is the table-top UR3, which is virtually noiseless and compact with a footprint of just 118 mm. Total weight is only 11 kg but payload is 3 kg and, in common with other UR arms, has ±360° rotation on all wrist joints and infinite rotation on the end joint.
For further information www.rarodriguez.co.uk

Heat treatment innovation on display

On Stand P52 at Advanced Engineering 2017 (NEC, 1-2 November), Wallwork Group will be showcasing its research and development capacity. From sites in Manchester, Birmingham and Cambridge, the company provides a range of metal improvement services.

Heat treatments include solution, age or precipitation hardening and tempering, nitriding by gas or plasma and more. Coatings include TiN, CrN, CrALN, TiALN, DLC and multi-layer variants. The company is also a centre of excellence for vacuum brazing, producing complex component assemblies by joining same-metal or dissimilar metals.
For further information www.wallworkht.co.uk