Chester completes multi-machine installation

Chester Machine Tools has completed another large installation of machines in the Middle East for a company specialising in oil refinery.

The engineering team from Chester completed the build, commissioning and training on a 3.2 m double-column vertical boring machine with 30-ton table load capacity. This machine was supplied in addition to a large 1 m stroke slotting machine, three 80 mm radial drills, several lathes with up to 6 m centre distance, and universal milling machines.
Anthony Edwards, sales and operations Director says: “We specialise in the supply of machine tools to the international energy sector, providing a product range and network of customer support that meets the highly specific manufacturing requirements of our clients. The construction of the bespoke Chester 3.2 m double-column vertical boring machine and large-scale installation of metal-working machines is a testament to our engineers and the products we supply. We export to over 70 countries worldwide and are proud to add this installation to our increasing blue-chip portfolio.”
For further information www.chestermachinetools.com

GibbsCAM 13 now available

3D Systems has released GibbsCAM 13, which provides a streamlined user experience, additional milling and turning capabilities, and an enhanced G-code editor that improves communication between software and CNC machining centres. UK availability is via Tech CADCAM.

GibbsCAM is said to be the industry’s only software offering elliptical turning, interpolation turning and eccentric turning, thus allowing full functionality for multi-tasking machines. Elliptical turning allows the user to turn parts on any machine that has an accommodating axis, such as four-axis mills, turn-mill and boring machines. Interpolation turning allows the user to cut a turning-style path by orienting a lathe insert towards a centreline, while moving three linear and up to three rotary axes. Turning operations can now be performed on milling and boring machines as well as turning centres with orientable spindles. Eccentric turning facilitates turning operations for shapes not aligned with the centre axis of a part, such as the cutting of lobes on a crankshaft or camshaft, eliminating costly set-ups and fixtures.
‘Autobar Chamfer’ is offered for the first time in the industry in GibbsCAM 13. This function lets the user define automatic chamfering of stock to eliminate burrs, which is especially useful on Swiss-style (sliding-head) lathes. In addition, broaching enables the programming and simulation of linear and rotary broaches from the GibbsCAM interface. A full set of broaching tools are included, or a
user can create custom broaches. Full broaching capabilities are available for milling and turning.
Five-axis deburring enables users to automatically program deburring operations by selecting geometry, surfaces or an entire model.
For further information www.techcadcam.net

Pay-per-use AM subscription

Following the installation of a HP Jet Fusion 3D 4200, Wales-based industrial design consultancy Design Reality is utilising HP’s subscription-based pricing for its 3D printing materials to pay for what it prints, as it prints, with a clear view of running costs.

The concept is said to be the industry’s first pay-per-use subscription model. Design Reality’s team can monitor usage and costs via a digital dashboard, providing critical insight on print job usage and associated costs. This guaranteed price-per-build enables Design Reality to quote the cost of a part with confidence and consistency.
For further information www8.hp.com

CGTech to highlight aerospace applications

CGTech is set to showcase its expanded range of software applications for the aerospace industry in Hall 4, Booth E120, at the Paris Air Show next week (17-21 June).

The company says that its Vericut software is used widely in the aerospace and defence sectors to improve the efficiency of various CNC machine-tool types.
Vericut is CNC machine simulation, verification and optimisation software that enables users to eliminate the process of manually proving-out NC programs. The software simulates all types of CNC machining, including multi-axis milling, drilling and trimming of composite parts, waterjet cutting, robotic machining, and turn-mill, additive, and hybrid machining processes. Vericut runs standalone, but can also be integrated with all major CAM systems used in the aerospace industry.
During the show, CGTech will be demonstrating Vericut’s Force optimisation module. Force, which now offers optimisation capabilities for both milling and turning operations, is said to reduce machining times by as much as 30-70%, while also extending the life of cutting tools. A physics-based optimisation methodology, Force determines the maximum reliable feed rate for a given cutting condition based on four key factors: force on the cutter, spindle power, maximum chip thickness, and maximum allowable feed rate.
CGTech’s Force calculates optimum feed rates by analysing tool geometry and parameters, material properties of the stock and cutting tool, detailed cutting-tool geometry, and Vericut cut-by-cut contact conditions. The module interpolates cutting conditions using a proprietary set of coefficients to account for the strength of material, and the effects of friction and temperature. Materials data is generated by actual machining tests and does not rely on extrapolating from FEA results.
For further information www.cgtech.co.uk

Servo press line at Mini

Schuler is supplying a servo press line that will form body parts for the BMW Mini at its production site in Swindon.

In front of the line, there is a blank loader, which feeds individual sheet metal blanks. After subsequent centring, the main forming of the blank takes place in the drawing station – a 2500 tonne servo press. In the five subsequent stations, different cutting and forming processes are used to create up to four high-precision parts at the same time, step by step.
For further information www.schulergroup.com