Ficep UK has been appointed as the exclusive UK agent for Costa Lev, a manufacturer of automatic metal deburring and surface finishing machines. The machines are suitable for the deburring of plasma/oxy fuel/laser cut parts, the grinding of all flat, ferrous and non-ferrous metal parts, and the polishing of large metal surfaces.

When there is a mix of materials or a different finish is required, Costa machines have a patented system that provides flexibility, reduced downtime between changeover of brushes and easier maintenance, says the company. Depending on the edge radius required, vertical or orbital type brushes can be used, either individually or in multiple groups to ensure the required finish is achieved on the top or the top and bottom sides of the component in one pass.
Parts up to more than 400 mm thick, and more than 3000 mm wide, can be processed at feeding speeds of up to 50 m/min. Target application include the removal of slag, burrs and oxide, even when the parts are warped or uneven.
When polishing wide stainless steel sheets, the quality of the surface finish remains consistent as the machines automatically compensate for belt wear. This is possible thanks to an integral PLC that extends the life of consumables.
All machines in the Costa range exceed CE and OSHA approval, with noise reduction systems and special devices to protect operators and prevent parts from getting damaged.
For further information
www.ficep.co.uk

Many fencers around the world, including winners at last year’s Olympics in Rio, use weapons manufactured by London firm, Leon Paul Equipment. What many of them may not realise is the level of expertise that goes into ensuring that the foils, epees and sabres are finished to a very high standard. To this end, a focus on deburring and surface treatment has seen two more vibratory machines installed in the factory by PDJ Vibro.

“Five years ago we started producing a new pistol grip called Evolution for our epees and foils,” explains Jack Jacob, works manager at Leon Paul Equipment, which is based in the Brent Cross area of northwest London. “However, it presented us with the problem of how to achieve the required uniformity of mottling and smoothness on the surface of the aluminium investment castings.”
So for the first time at Leon Paul, traditional hand finishing techniques were replaced with automated de-flashing and surface treatment in a vibratory bowl supplied by PDJ Vibro. Since then the company has added aluminium guards to the list of parts finished in this way. Sharp edges and flash are removed from the aerospace grade aluminium pressings that form the guards of foils and sabres.
Around half of the guards are polished manually to achieve a glossy surface. However, at the end of last year the company decided to look at automation. Again Leon Paul turned to PDJ Vibro and after the successful completion of trials, a second vibratory bowl was delivered along with a supply of small porcelain balls for burnishing the guards, and a liquid polishing medium to ensure a bright finish.
For further information
www.vibratoryfinishing.co.uk

Aldershot-based FT Gearing Systems has developed a close working relationship with Swiss grinding machine manufacturer Studer and the company’s UK agent, Advanced Grinding Supplies. The successful use of the advanced CNC grinders and growth of the company has led to regular additional investments, resulting in FT Gearing Systems now having eight Studer CNC grinders.

The company’s most recently opened satellite unit is dedicated to the production of gear technology and precision components for Rolls-Royce aero engines. In addition to other advanced machine tools, the facility houses four Studer grinders, including FT Gearing’s recently purchased Studer Favorit model.
“We pursue a policy of using advanced Studer CNC grinding machines to achieve levels of accuracy and repeatability that conventional grinding machines are unable to compete with,” says managing director Graham Fitzgerald. “For instance, we are able to attain sub-micron total cylindricity on 35 mm diameter gear journals with 0.08 µm surface finish, and achieve gear flatness to three light bands.
“As our existing Studer grinders have delivered excellent levels of precision, surface finish and reliability, when the need arose for additional, premium quality grinding capacity, Studer remained our first choice,” he adds. “With the help of Peter Harding, the owner Advanced Grinding Supplies, we specified the Favorit CNC universal cylindrical grinding machine to match our challenging requirements. Now in regular use, our new Studer grinder is now producing high volumes of work to demanding quality standards.”
For further information
www.adgrind.co.uk

Advanced Grinding Solutions (AGS) says it has received a number of enquiries for lapping machines since being appointed as the sole UK distributor for the FLP range of machines.
FLP constructs single-disc and double-disc machines, as well as a range of consumables that include diamond paste, powder, spray and lapping and polishing fluids, and tooling such as carrier plates and rings. The company also offers a subcontract lapping facility for its customers.

However, a further service available from FLP is rebuilt used machines, often from stock, which have been re-manufactured to as-new standard. The company can also supply replacement spare and wear parts for all market established machines, such as those from Stähli, Wolters, Wenzky, Melchiorre, Lapmaster and Speedfam.
It is the rebuild options that seem to have attracted a lot of attention from UK companies looking to update their in-house lapping and fine-grinding capabilities without incurring the costs of purchasing new machines. Many customers opt to purchase rebuilt machines rather than having their own machines overhauled as it means that production is not affected and costs remain more or less the same. Furthermore, customers can always opt at a later date to send old machines to FLP by way of a part-exchange deal.
Regardless of the type and size of a customer’s old fine grinding, flat honing, lapping or polishing machine – FLP will carry out process and technology orientated improvements and general overhauls. Processes include the replacement of sub-assemblies for which spare parts can no longer be supplied, retrofitting of automation such as PLCs, and the replacement of materials with more wear resistant types, for example rustproof steel.
For further information
www.advancedgrindingsolutions.co.uk

Hurco says that precision honing can now be performed on one of its standard vertical machining centres. Through a partnership with Indiana-based honing specialist Bates Technologies, the solution offers advantages over dedicated honing machines that include reduced investment costs and fewer set-ups.

The process is performed on a Hurco VMX series BT40 vertical machining centre as follows. First, a touch probe held in the tool magazine is deployed in the spindle to verify the bore diameter and ensure that the correct program is loaded. The probe then takes another measurement further into the bore to ensure it is straight enough to be machined. Assuming it is straight, the diameter is rough-bored to the correct size for honing. A honing tool with a standard back end is then exchanged automatically into the spindle and through-coolant is used to activate and control tool expansion, pushing the stones outward while the hone reciprocates and rotates. An in-process air-gauge system enables bore size to be monitored continuously.
Once the programmed diameter is achieved, a signal is sent from the air gauge to the Max control of the Hurco machining centre to stop the honing cycle. Finally, the bore is brushed with a soft-finish hone to smooth the high points and provide the required surface finish. Once again, coolant is used to control expansion and pressure.
For further information
www.hurco.com