Ward Hi-Tech Enters Exclusive Partnership With Axile

UK CNC machine tool distributor Ward Hi-Tech has added five-axis machining centre brand Axile to its product range. The collaboration marks the beginning of an exclusive technological partnership in the UK, aimed at meeting the diverse industry needs for innovative productions solutions.  

Axile, known in the marketplace for its performance and automation, offers a range that includes five-axis portal, double-column and gantry-type machining centres, in addition to dedicated graphite and high-speed machining models. 

“Our mission is to offer cutting-edge technological solutions that support UK companies on their journey of innovation and growth,” states Ward Hi-Tech sales director Mike Burke. “Thanks to our partnership with Axile, we’re providing the market with a portfolio of solutions that not only addresses complex manufacturing challenges but also helps improve operational efficiency, sustainability and business competitiveness.”  

He continues: “We firmly believe that the future of manufacturing lies in the ability to integrate intelligent automation, technological precision and a sustainability-focused vision. This collaboration represents a significant step in that direction.” 

Nicolas Budrino, Axile’s export director, adds: “It’s a great honour to work with a partner that shares our values, passion, reliability and mutual trust. One that, like us, places the customer and innovation at the centres of their strategy. Our goal is to help UK companies become protagonists of advanced five-axis machining solutions, providing them with tools that transform ideas into successful production realities.” 

Axile models can feature FANUC, Heidenhain or Siemens control systems. Various options for integration include a turning facility and multi-pallet arrangements. 

More information www.wardhitech.co.uk 

New Machine Delivers More Capacity, Flexibility And Efficiency

Rapid Precision Engineering has invested in a compact DN Solutions DEM 4000 vertical machining centre, supplied by Mills CNC and equipped with a Nikken fourth-axis rotary table to meet increased demand for high-precision aerospace landing gear components. 

Installed at the company’s Liverpool facility, the FANUC-controlled machine features an 8000 rpm spindle and 20-station automatic tool changer. It is already machining thousands of small landing gear fasteners alongside other complex aerospace components. 

Rapid Precision has specialised in the aerospace sector since 2003/04, developing its machining, finishing and testing capabilities to serve landing gear manufacturers. Aerospace work now accounts for more than 95% of its turnover. 

The investment followed requests from existing customers to increase production volumes significantly, with demand for certain screws rising from 3000 to 15,000 units. Previously machined on a manual milling machine, these components require several operations, including thread modification, head machining and precision drilling, followed by treatments and non-destructive testing. 

“We could see, straight away, that such an increase in volumes would put pressure on our existing machining resources,” says Paul Brennan, Rapid Precision’s owner and director. “We made the decision to invest in a new machining centre with a fourth-axis rotary table as a route to improving throughput and avoiding production bottlenecks.” 

The company selected the DEM 4000 rather than a larger machine because it already understood the model’s capabilities, having purchased one in 2020. Existing programs and processes developed for a DNM 4500 machining centre could also be transferred to the new machine. Custom fixtures allow batches of screws to be machined efficiently in a single set up.  

The investment has improved productivity and process efficiency, reduced backlogs, and helped Rapid Precision respond to higher customer demand while protecting delivery schedules. 

More information www.millscnc.co.uk 

Precise Vertical Milling Of Parts Up To 1600 mm In Length

With the new DMV 160, DMG Mori is expanding its series for productive, high-precision three-axis vertical machining. The DMV 160’s stable design, travels of 1600 x 700 x 550 mm and rigid table with loading weight of 2200 kg, suit manufacturers that need to mill or drill large components quickly and precisely.  

Like its smaller sister models, the DMV 160 is geared towards the requirements of modern production in demanding industries such as mould making, automotive and aerospace. A tool magazine with up to 120 pockets (standard version has 30) and compatibility with pallet handling systems like the PH Cell 300 support cost-effective production with short non-productive times.  

The DMV 160 is based on a monolithic machine frame with solid cast parts and roller guideways in all axes. This design means the machine remains stable and precise even in very demanding applications. The feed rate of 42 m/min ensures high dynamics and reduced cycle times.  

Thanks to direct drives in all axes, direct path measuring systems and a positioning accuracy of 4 µm, DMG Mori says its DMV 160 delivers consistently precise results. An active cooling system for selected components ensures thermal stability even with long run times.  

The company has developed the DMV 160 with the pillars of DMG Mori’s Machining Transformation (MX) in mind to support future-proof production. CELOS X on the intuitively operated, 24″ ERGOline X panel creates the basis for networked and digitalised production. It allows seamless integration into company networks, which further advances digital transformation initiatives.  

Programming with graphical display is supported by either Sinumerik ONE or Heidenhain TNC 7 controls. DMG Mori implements autonomous production via the pallet handling systems PH 150, PH Cell 300 or PH Cell Twin in order to connect a second machining centre.  

More information www.dmgmori.com

Model And Prototype Specialist Opts For Hurco VMX Machine

Prototyping, rapid manufacturing and industrial model-making specialist, Ogle Models and Prototypes of Letchworth has taken delivery of its first five-axis machining centre, a Hurco VMX42SRTi with B-axis spindle head and flush rotary table. The machine features a 60-station tool changer, as premiered at the MACH 2026 exhibition in Birmingham earlier this year, rather than a standard 40-station version to allow extended periods of unattended production. The extra tool capacity also lends itself to the retrofitting of robotic automation, should it be necessary in the future. 
 
Ogle invested in the advanced machining centre to gain maximum flexibility within a compact footprint for producing large, complex 3D shapes without the need for multiple set ups.  
 
The VMX42SRTi offers a 12,000 rpm, 36.5 kW motor spindle with integrated chiller, 20‑bar through‑spindle coolant, direct drives in the B and C rotary axes, and linear scales in X, Y and Z. An advantage of the SRTi configuration is that, when five‑axis machining is unrequired, the machine functions as a three- or four‑axis machining centre utilising the entire working envelope. This flexibility is particularly valuable in mixed‑production environments. 
 
Continuous investment by Ogle in modern production technology complements a long history of engineering excellence that dates back to the company’s founding in 1954. With more than 70 years of experience, Ogle serves as a key development partner across the product design, film, architecture, aerospace, defence, medical and automotive sectors.  

 
This latest five-axis delivery builds on an ongoing partnership with Hurco that began in 2017 when Ogle acquired its first machine from this supplier, a VM30i three-axis model. Over subsequent years, the facility integrated two additional Hurco machining centres into its production, including an extended-travel VMX42Ti.  

More information www.hurco.com/gb

SMMC Build

A milestone has been reached for Atom Valley with completion of the base build of the Sustainable Materials & Manufacturing Centre (SMMC) at Kingsway Business Park in Rochdale. The SMMC will provide a permanent physical gateway into the UK’s advanced materials and manufacturing network. Specifically, it will offer access to specialist space, facilities, expertise and the CEAMS (Centre of Expertise in Advanced Materials and Sustainability) national network of innovation support, helping them move from concept to commercial application. 

More information www.thesmmc.com