MecWash expands US presence

MecWash Systems is entering a new distribution partnership with AquasGroup in the United States. Based in East Providence, Rhode Island,AquasGroup will serve as the exclusive distributor of MecWash parts washers in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, as well as New York and Pennsylvania. Additionally, AquasGroup will provide complete technical support for MecWash Systems customers in these eight states.MecWash parts washers support the full range of engineering processes, including machined castings, forgings, turned parts, stampings, extrusions and mouldings.
For further information www.mecwash.com

Great success on all fronts

MACH Machine Tools’ attendance at last month’s Manufacturing Solutions – Ireland show yielded great results on all fronts. Exhibiting at the event for the first time, the company exhibited a best-selling MACH VS-1SP turret-type milling machine and a MACH MDS 900-4T CNC/manual knee mill, equipped with a four-station ATC and WinDelta DynaPath control.

By the end of the show, MACH Machine Tools had taken a significant number of serious enquiries, especially from Irish educational institutions and organisations, and confirmed the sale of a MACH MDT 1, a two-axis turret mill, toCounty Sligo based Lawrence Engineering.In addition, the event helped MACH Machine Tools solidify its presence in Ireland by signing upIMS Tooling, a Limerick-basedmachine tool andequipment repair and maintenance specialist, as its servicing agent in Ireland.
For further information www.machmt.co.uk

3000 attend latest Horn Technology Days

Tooling manufacturer Horn staged its latest Technology Days event last month at its Tübingen headquarters in Germany, with more than 3000 visitors from 37 countries in attendance. It was the eighth time the company had staged the event.The focus this year was on processes, based on the optimal interaction of tool, workholding and machine. With informative technical presentations on eight different topics, live machining demonstrations, industry-specific exhibition areas and extensive freedom of movement around production areas, visitors gained an opportunity to experience every facet of Horn.
For further information www.phorn.co.uk

Axe & Status partners with ACCURL

UK machine tool supplier Axe & Status Machinery Ltd and ACCURLare now forging a powerful partnership that holds immense promise for the laser market. Following a visit to ACCURL’s facilities in China, Steve Thomas, the owner of Axe & Status Machinery and his team deemed the capabilities and quality of ACCURL products as impressive.

After days of extensive discussions, the two companies reached a mutual agreement to authorise Axe & Status Machinery as the exclusive distributor of the ACCURL brand in the UK. This partnership signifies a significant milestone for both organisations as they set their sights on capturing the rapidly growing laser market together.New stock will arriveat the Axe & Status showroom in Milton Keynes in early September. The first high-power lasers will also be installed in the UK in September and available for demonstration.
For further information www.axestatus.com

Robot assists large-scalelaser cutting cell

A suite of automation solutions from FANUC has proved integral to the delivery of an industrial-scale laser cutting cell commissioned by the UK’s Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC). Constructed bysystem integrator Cyan Tec Systems, the demonstration cell comprises a 12 x 4m cutting table and, from FANUC, a six-axis robot, a CNC system for the flatbed, and the laser, all contained within a laser-secure enclosure.

FANUC was the clear choice for automation partner on this project, as Cyan Tec’s project co-ordinator Grant Copson confirms: “The main reason for working with FANUC was the fact that they could offer a seamless automation solution incorporating not just the robot but also the laser and motion system.”

The system sits at the upper end of industry expectations in terms of scale to show those visiting the MTC what is possible within automated laser cutting. There is real scope for using the cell within the aerospace and automotive industries, or any sector that requires large-scale pre-cut profiles. The construction sector could also benefit from cells of this size, in particular for precision cutting of profile sections used in prefabricated buildings.

The cutting table and robot sit inside a large enclosure measuring 15.5 x 9m, but the space requirements go even further. The cutting table slides out an additional 13m, ensuring that if an operator wants to load a 12 x 4m product, he or she has adequate access to do so, even if this requires the use of a crane or forklift truck.

The laser cutting bed handles flat plate, while the FANUC M-20iB robot cuts tubular sections. Notably, the robot’s six axes siton a floor track and drive synchronously with a FANUC seventh axis, allowing it to move up and down the tube in cut.
For further information laser@the-mtc.org