Latest Y-axis, sub-spindle turning centre

The next-generation Y-axis, sub-spindle Doosan Puma 2600SY Mk II turning centre series is now available from Mills CNC. Although the new machines are equipped with a 10” chuck, unlike Puma 2600SY Mk I models, they have a larger 81 mm bar diameter capacity. The machines are also supplied with built-in type spindles (as opposed to belt-driven spindles), which generate less vibration during cutting operations.

Further innovations include six strategically positioned heat sensors that automatically monitor and compensate for any thermal displacement during machining operations. In addition, the spindles feature a reconfigured bearing structure comprising two angular-contact bearings and two taper roller bearings to improve C-axis positional accuracy and spindle runout (less than 6 µm).
The Puma 2600SY Mk II uses high-performance NTN material (as opposed to Turcite) on its box-guideway axes, a move that is said to result in improved and more responsive movement, and reduced wear. Other performance improvements include a revised design of milling turret that incorporates a Curvic coupling piston structure delivering up to 12% additional clamping force; improved durability of the Y-axis carriageway; and a spindle air-purge function that helps prevent chip and coolant ingress.
The machine was exhibited for the first time in the UK at the recent Mills CNC open house, which took place in October.
For further information www.millscnc.co.uk

Attendance climbs

The organisers of Advanced Engineering 2017, which was held at the Birmingham NEC last month say that the exhibition’s final attendance figure was 15% higher than in 2016.

Furthermore, success at the show has sparked a booking frenzy for the 2018 edition, with stand reservations 35% higher than at the same point the year before. The show consisted of five co-locating zones: Aero Engineering; Composites Engineering; Automotive Engineering; Performance Metals Engineering; and Connected Manufacturing. These will be joined by Nuclear Engineering at the 2018 exhibition (31 Oct to 1 Nov).
For further information www.advancedengineeringuk.com

AM collaboration

Schaeffler Technologies, which manufactures roller bearings and owns the INA and FAG brands, has entered into a co-operation agreement on additive manufacturing with machine tool manufacturer DMG Mori.

Schaeffler is now using a DMG Mori Lasertec 65 3D hybrid machine to produce one-offs and small batches of bearing components, as well as spare parts in metallic functionally graded materials (FGM) to finished-part quality. The one-hit process combines the flexibility of additive manufacturing by laser deposition with five-axis subtractive milling.
For further information www.dmgmori.com

Damehood for metrology expert

The University of Huddersfield’s Professor Xiangqian Jiang – known to her colleagues as Jane – has received a Damehood conferred on her in the 2017 Queen’s Birthday Honours.

University of Huddersfied, Director of the Future Metrology Hub, Professor Jane Jiang.
11.09.17

The Chinese-born scientist, a world-leading researcher in the field of metrology, was formally created a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. The honour was conferred for Dame Jane’s services to engineering and manufacturing. Today she is the director of the £40m Future Metrology Hub located within the university’s Centre for Precision Technologies.
For further information https://research.hud.ac.uk

MACH visitor registration now live

With just a few months to go before the doors open to MACH 2018 at the NEC in Birmingham, the team behind the exhibition has announced that visitor registration is now live.

MACH 2018 takes place on 9-13 April and will be located in a new home on the atrium side of the NEC, in Halls 17, 18, 19, 20, 6 and 7. This is the first move of the show since relocating to the NEC when it first opened in 1976 and reflects the changing technologies that the show covers. Visitors are invited to register early for their entrance pass and fast-track entry pack on the MACH website.
For further information www.machexhibition.com