Hyfore takes delivery of new EDM technology

To support the flexible manufacture of bespoke work-holding solutions, Coventry-based Hyfore has taken delivery of a Mitsubishi MV2400R wire EDM machine. Hyfore produces bespoke work-holding jigs and fixtures for a diverse range of OEM manufacturers in the aerospace, automotive, medical and motorsport industries, as well as the associated subcontract supply chains.

The day-to-day operation of the business requires a fast turnaround of bespoke projects with a significant proportion of its workload encompassing prototype, small volume and subcontract manufacturing.It is for these very reasons the company selected the Mitsubishi MV2400R, a machine that will enhance the precision and accuracy of complex fixtures, expedite throughput from design to delivery and subsequently benefit the end user.

Mark Covill, product manager – bespoke work holding, says: “Before the arrival of the EDM machine, we had to subcontract some of our complex work to external suppliers. The wire EDM will enable us to bring this work in-house and gain greater control over our quality, lead times, costs and overall manufacturing processes. The machine will also give our design department greater freedom to experiment with exciting concepts and solutions for customers.”

He adds: “In addition, the wire EDM will complement our existing CNC machining offer, which is fully supported by our internal ISO 9001 quality control procedures that are undertaken with the company’s in-house CMM. The wire EDM expands our service offering to customers and will enable Hyfore to attract more subcontract work with a complete service package. We can help subcontract manufacturers that are at capacity, have urgent jobs, or simply do not have their own in-house EDM expertise.”
For further information www.hyfore.com

Eliminating wire breakage and reducing consumption

GF Machining Solutions’ new iWire technology automatically adjusts wire speeds to changing part/feature heights and erosion conditions, thus helping to optimise the wire EDM process.

iWire technology, available on advanced AgieCharmilles wire EDM machines, automatically identifies and adjusts wire speeds to changing erosion conditions, helping to eliminate wire breakage and reducing overall wire consumption per job by over 25% in some instances.The iWire function works in tandem with the company’s Intelligent Spark Protection System (ISPS), both being key features of the company’s UNIQUA control.

Building on its technological knowledge of the EDM process, the company’s machines identify and measure the exact location of each spark along the length of the wire.This information enables iWire to adjust the wire spool speed accordingly, preventing the chances of wire breakages. GFMS says this capability is a tangible business benefit during lights-out and unattended operations when machining complex ‘stepped’ parts and/or features that have variable heights, for example.

Both ISPS and iWire help prevent wire breakage and, as a consequence, reduce wire usage and assist in controlling consumable costs and increasing machine uptime.In recent tests, iWire working in tandem with ISPS prevented wire breakage on a part with numerous features with varying heights.The cut started at a standard spool speed then, when the cutting height reduced, the speed slowedautomatically. As a result, the company observed wire savings equating to about 480m or 0.2kg, and processing times saw a corresponding reduction of 30%.
For further information www.gfms.com

NI businesses to benefit from £1m funding

A £1m investment from Innovate UK will enable Northern Ireland’s Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) to start supporting local businesses in the next few months.AMIC’s flagship building, which was granted planning permission in May, will be a 10,500 sq m ‘Factory of the Future’, set to open in 2026 at Global Point Newtownabbey.

The development is part of plans for a £100m investment in AMIC, a Belfast Region City Deal project delivered by Queen’s University in partnership with industry, Ulster University and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council. The objective is to reinvigorate local industrial potentialand address the future technology and skills challenges faced by the region’s manufacturing sector.
For further information www.bit.ly/3JmSICZ

£400,000 investment marks 50-year anniversary

Erodex Group, a UK specialist in the design and manufacture of graphite electrodes, tooling and fixtures, is celebrating 50 years in business by investing £400,000 in automation at its machining facility in the West Midlands.

This year marks half a century of trading for the family-owned firm, whichis looking to the future with the purchase of an automated pallet loading system to work in co-ordination with its existing high-speed machining centres.As a result of the investment, the company expects to maximise efficiencies and output within a high-volume area of the business; creating capacity without the need to layer-in additional shift patterns.In addition, the alignment of existing machining capacity with automation provides Erodex with a portfolio that it has previously been unable to offer customers, therefore creating new business opportunities.

The company’s state of the art machining facility in Wednesbury has been established for over 35 years, enabling Erodex to machine its wide variety of graphite grades into highly complex components for a range of industries.

Steve Rolinson, director at Erodex Group, says:“Further investment in our machining facility represents the next stage of business evolution. Since the mid-1980s, the Erodex Group has enabled customers to benefit from the capabilities of our ISO9001-accredited graphite machining facility, which is widely regarded as the best graphite machining facility in Europe.Continued planned investment as part of our continuous improvement programme – including in automation – means we’re well placed to capitalise on market opportunities moving forward and further reinforces our position as UK leaders in the design and manufacture of graphite electrodes, tooling and fixtures for the aerospace and IGT sectors.”
For further information www.erodex.com

Unveiling Enhanced Anti-Fatigue Mats: First Mats Reimagines Industrial Matting

First Mats, one of the leading UK-based industrial and commercial floor matting retailers, is pleased to announce the enhancement of their popular Anti-Fatigue Mats range. First Mats has introduced improvements to the product selection process, making it simpler and more user-friendly for customers to find the right Anti-Fatigue Mat for their unique needs.

The revamped Anti-Fatigue Mats range, which has been a favourite among production operatives and managers for over five years, has undergone a transformation designed to make the unique features of each mat more visible. According to Marketing Director Richard O’Connor, “We’ve consolidated the range, and made the unique features of each product more visible, but the most significant change is a new rating system that makes it easy to compare the comfort, grip and durability of each mat at a glance.”

The new rating system is a key part of the enhancements, providing customers with a straightforward way to evaluate and compare products based on key features. In addition, First Mats has conducted extensive reviews on each product in the range. Detailed product information, specifications, and suggested applications are now more accessible, enabling customers to make informed decisions about the best mat for their needs.

 

 

In line with the company’s dedication to customer service, First Mats offers fast delivery on all Anti-Fatigue Mats, with many versions available for delivery within 2 to 3 working days.

 

About First Mats:
Based in Birmingham, First Mats is one of the UK’s leading commercial and industrial matting suppliers. Focusing on quality, functionality, and superior customer service, First Mats offers a wide range of products that have consistently earned top ratings from thousands of reviews across multiple trusted platforms.

The team at First Mats is committed to providing top-notch products backed by stellar customer service, and this commitment shines through in every improvement they make.

For more information, please visit www.firstmats.co.uk