XYZ UMC-5X takes to the skies

The Rolls-Royce Precision Machining Facility in Derby is using a new UMC-5X five-axis machining centre from XYZ Machine Tools to bring in-house the manufacture of fixtures for intermediate-pressure turbine blades.Tool-room managerThomas McAllister says: “We chose the UMC-5X for its price-performance metrics and use it extensively for 3+2 machining. It providesus with accuracies of 10 µm.”

He continues: “The machining process requires compound angles and we typically braze supporting pads on each fixture, machining these to suit the individual blade. For the UMC-5X we specified: a Blum tool setter and RMP 600 Renishaw probe; the kinematics option on the control; and the linear roller system for the best area of contact and fastest axis travel. We manufacture about 40 complex fixtures each year. The UMC-5X will pay for itself in less than 12 months.”
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

Ownership scheme extended

All staff at a manufacturer of round, flat and profile wire are now shareholders thanks to a recently completed MBO.Directors Tom Mander, Andrew Du Plessis and Adam Shaw bought Alloy Wire International (AWI), which has two sites in the West Midlands and Yorkshire, with the new management team immediately extending the firm’s employee ownership scheme to include all 33 employees.The ‘people first’ approach is certainly paying dividends with AWI going from £1m in 2000 to £12.8m at the start of 2022, and impressive sales putting it on course for nearly £18m by the close of the year.
For further informationwww.alloywire.com

Ficep brings high-power laser cutter to UK

A supplier of structural steel and plate processing equipment, Ficep UK, is introducing Cutlite Penta’s state-of-the-art Plus laser system for metal cutting with resonators up to 30kW.Offering a working area of up to 15 x 3m and capability for processing stainless steel and mild steel up to 50mm, the Plus is a powerful option for applications involving heavy engineering.

According to Ficep, linear motor drive technology provides highly responsive dynamics, enabling high productivity even on extremely complex geometries, while the machine’s low energy consumption makes it an effective solution in productive and environmental terms.

The smooth dynamics of the cutter head delivers cuts with low pressure, resulting in a considerable saving in manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the Evo 3 cutting head is equipped with a contact-free capacitive sensor and its optional bevel head can rotate up to 45°in both cutting directions.

Says Chris Berriman, Ficep UK sales director: “Cutlite Penta’s Plus and heavy-duty range of laser systems complements our portfolio of cutting systems and allows us to meet the needs of metal processors who require a system that can cut thick capacity steel at a greater speed with high levels of accuracy.”

He continues: “One of the laser’s many strengths is its unique ability to focus power into a very small area, which makes it the ultimate technology in metal cutting accuracy and quality. The Plus is the go-to laser cutting option when heavy engineering requires a quality finish and when fast processing speed is vital.”
For further information www.ficep.co.uk

New tube laser eliminates outsourcing at Lasercell

The arrival of a new Trumpf TruLaser Tube 3000 Fiber at Salisbury-based lasercell has allowed the company to eliminate the cost of previously outsourcing its tube laser cutting requirements. Alongside the associated reduction in lead time, Lasercell’s new in-house capability also means the company can now design many parts more efficiently.

It was impressive growth over the past decade prompted Lasercell to investigate the potential for an in-house tube laser facility. The company looked at a few major manufacturers of tube laser machines before drawing up a shortlist of two.

After a comprehensive assessment, the company opted for the Trumpf TruLaser Tube 3000 Fiber, a machine that can accommodate tube diameters up to 152mm and process mild steel up to 8mm thick, stainless steel and aluminium up to 6mm, and copper and brass up to 4mm. The 3kW machine acquired by Lasercell, which is the first of its type in the UK, includes a 3D cutting head and LoadMaster Tube automation with bundle space for up to 4 tonnes of unprocessed material.

“Perhaps the most influential reason behind our choice was Trumpf’s Programming Tube 3D software, which was superior to that of the other potential supplier,” says one of three company directors Kieran Bernstein.“With Programming Tube, we quickly and intuitively create NC programs. The software offers flexible data import procedures and efficient design, with step-by-step support.”

He continues: “Although we’ve been really busy, the machine is so quick that keeping it fed can sometimes be a challenge. As well as eliminating the need to outsource our tube laser work, reducing lead times and designing parts more efficiently, the new machine gives us a unique selling point when promoting our services.”
For further information www.trumpf.com

TLM expandsrangewith green laser markers

The latest addition to TLM’s range, from partner Foba Laser, is a range of green lasers, the main benefits of which include a significant increase in marking speed and marking quality on materials that previously did not present the optimum marking clarity or contrast when using UV or fibre lasers.

Materials now suitable for processing using this technology include special plastics such as UHMWPE, HDPE and PMMA, for which additives may no longer be necessary when using a green laser. Other materials where marking quality will see a significant increase include white and transparent plastics in medical technology applications, combined material parts in the automotive sector, and highly reflective metals, glass or other shiny substrates.

Foba’s V.0071-gr and FOBA V.0141-gr green laser marking systems, at 532 nm wavelength, close the gap between UV and fibre laser markers, at 355 nm and 1064 nm, respectively. The combination of relatively high laser power and a vanadate source extends the areas of application while enabling higher speeds.

Either 7 or 14 W laser power options are available for the new marking laser. With a broad range of interfaces available and five possible marking field sizes, the new lasers offer a flexible solution to a wide range of applications. A further benefit is the fact that the lifetime of Foba’s green laser vanadate laser source is twice that of a UV laser source, which significantly reduces operational and ownership costs.

The new green laser marking systems can also take advantage of Foba’s laser marking workflow with camera and mark alignment software.
For further information www.tlm-laser.com