Mills CNC sells its first Zayer machine

Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of DN Solutions’ and Zayer machine tools in the UK and Ireland, has taken its first Zayer order just a few short weeks after signing the distributor deal with the Spain-based milling machine manufacturer.The machine, a Zayer XIOS G large-capacity horizontal CNC bed mill equipped with a built-in rotary table (1500x 1500 mm) and a five-axis, 45° milling head, will take its place at the UK-based customer’s facility this spring.

Says Tony Dale, Mills CNC’s CEO:“The XIOS G represents our first Zayer machine tool order, but it will, most definitely, not be our last.To assist future sales, we’ve ordered a new Zayer Zero CNC horizontal bed mill for our showroom, which will be available for customers to see in the not-too-distant future.Described by Zayer as ‘its most precise and dynamic bed mill ever’, we’re confident that the Zayer Zero will prove popular with UK and Irish manufacturers.”
For further information www.millscnc.co.uk

Leader extends zero-point offering with Mate

Following a recent partnership agreement, the full range of high-precision zero-point fixtures from Mate Precision Technologies is now available in the UK exclusively from work-holding and machining efficiency specialist Leader Chuck International.

Being one of the latest players to enter the zero-point fixture market, Mate Precision Technologies was all too aware of the need to bring significant advantages over the competition when it launched its next-generation Dyno range.Consisting of DynoGrip vices, DynoLock base plates and DynoMount tombstones, the ethos behind the range stems from Mate targeting manufacturing efficiencies within its own workshop. With areputation for producing high-quality punch-press and press-brake tooling for manufacturers across the globe, the company employs around 300 highly skilled staff at it manufacturing facility in Minnesota, USA. So the need for machining efficiency gains comes from worldwide competition.

Extensive trials of the previous generation zero-point systems, available from established suppliers, under real life production operations, highlighted a number of limitations that Mate addressed with its new products.

Leader Chuck’s managing director Mark Jones explains: “With Mate’s extensive knowledge of the high-quality tool steels and fine tolerances used to produce its tools for sheet metalworking, it’s only logical that the same materials and processes are used for the Dyno range of fixtures. It’s why the company offers a ‘zero wear out forever’ policy across the range with a 100% unconditional customer satisfaction guarantee.”

Mate DynoGrip self-centring vices, for example, shorten set-up time and reduce process variability. Two zero-point four-stud engagement patterns are available, 52 and 96 mm, which are compatible with other systems or can mount directly to the machine table via toe clamps or bolted through the body.
For further information www.leaderchuck.com

DMG Mori Medical Days

DMG Mori will stage a Medical Days event later this week (8-9 March) at its Medical Excellence Centre in Wernau, Germany, which opened last year. The machine tool manufacturer will present new technologies to help the medical sector meet increasing challenges in the global market. In addition to the symposium, the company will run live demonstrations on a variety of machining platforms, with the accent on turning. These demonstrations will include an NLX 2500 SY/700 with Robo2Go automation and an NLX 2500/700 SY with MATRIS robot loading.
For further information www.bit.ly/3IWyAIf

Pallet changer zeros in on productivity and accuracy

Building upon the company’s existing comprehensive range of zero-point clamping systems, Zimmer Group is expanding the series with the launch of its new pallet-changer technology. In addition to changing pallets in machine tools, this system also opens up numerous other applications, such as the handling of components using robots while maintaining high levels of repeatability.

The slim design and low set-up profile of the clamping plate and clamping pallets, allow both close-proximity pallet loading on the machine table and optimum use of the space within the machine. High clamping forces create arigid system, while the retaining forces enable high torque levels, together with a high-precision connection between the robot and the clamping plate to make the handling of heavier pallets, in particular, easier and safer.

The structural design of the pallet changer means that system clamping takes place without the need for pneumatic pressure. However, it is possible to increase the clamping forces further by using Zimmer’s Plus connection, which provides pneumatic assistance. In addition to four rotation locks for pallet coupling, the system features an integrated blow-out or cleaning function that prevents dirt or liquid from collecting in the pin holder, contact surface and rotation locks.

Notably, the pallet coupling is used as a pallet interface for the product and creates the connection to the clamping pallet. The rotation lock enables backlash-free positioning of the bearings when joining with the product, whilesensors for piston position and clamping position verify safe operation. All functions are controllable directly via the pneumatic connections on the sides. There is also the option to control the unit by means of alternative connections on the bottom of the product.
For further information www.zimmer-group.com

F1 team installs four SLA 3D printers

3D Systems is reporting that the BWT Alpine F1 Team has purchased four SLA 750 3D-printing systems to accelerate innovation and speed to track. Based at Enstone in Oxfordshire, the team made the decision to purchase the systems after it extensively tested the product in its beta phase. BWT Alpine F1 Team is currently using the SLA 750 systems and 3D Systems’ Accura Composite PIV material to build models for wind tunnel testing, including complex aerodynamic parts with pressure tappings, as well as small composite tools and high-temperature bonding jigs.

“We are very impressed with the depth of precision engineering that went into the development of 3D Systems’ SLA 750,” says Ben Mallock, deputy head of aerodynamics, BWT Alpine F1 Team. “We have a long-standing technical partnership with 3D Systems. With the SLA 750 we achieved the best part quality we’ve seen so far in the market with considerably improved productivity.Today we’re able to produce 25,000 additively manufactured parts each year.”
For further information www.3dsystems.com