Vollmer’s VPortal goes live for customers

Through its new customer portal, VPortal, sharpening specialistVollmeris providing exclusive access to digital services, including its spare parts shop, machine overviews and technical documentation. Furthermore, VPortal gives customers the chance to send the support team any questions they may have about machines or services from Vollmer. Anyone who owns a Vollmer sharpening machine can register for and use the customer portal free of charge. Customers can request their unique log-in via e-mail or telephone.

“Our customer portal, VPortal, is the digital and personalised window that we provide to our customers and which we use to expand our services,” explains Jürgen Hauger, CEO of the Vollmer Group. “It forms the perfect link between the real and digital world, enabling our customers to keep a constant overview of their Vollmer grinding and erosion machines.”

The VPortal grants customers 24/7 access to their digital machine pool purchased from Vollmer. Notably, the digital service is available in English and German, and is free to use. At present, customers from Germany can register via e-mail or telephone. Once logged in to the online portal, the user can see a complete overview of the Vollmer sharpening machines available.

From the start page, the customer portal shows a clear overview of all digital services spread across five tiles: My machines, Spare parts, Orders, Support requests and Contact. Users can click on these tiles to navigate the portal and view or download the data that is most relevant to their Vollmer machines, as well as documents about technology or operation. When it comes to maintenance and servicing, VPortal enables users to submit an individual support request or to access Vollmer’s online spare parts shop.
For further information www.vollmer-group.com

Cutting time-to-market

The High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult is launching a landmark £950,000 project to cut development costs and time-to-market for new products, by accelerating the UK’s capabilities in certification by analysis. ‘Towards Product Certification by Analysis’ is a collaborative project, led by the HVM Catapult, with support from the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, the National Composites Centre, National Manufacturing Institute Scotland and the Manufacturing Technology Centre. It aims to identify and take critical early steps to accelerating these capabilities in the UK.
For further information https://hvm.catapult.org.uk

Walter completes range of rough-turning inserts

With the new HU3, HU5 and HU7 geometries, Walter is completing its range of indexable turning inserts for heavy-duty roughing operations. The ‘H’ designation is for negative, single-sided and therefore highly stable inserts, standing for ‘Heavy (roughing)’, while the ‘U’ refers to universal use. Each of the three new geometries has specific features making them suitable for different applications.

The HU7 geometry for steel and cast-iron workpieces is the most stable turning indexable insert in Walter’s product range. It has a straight cutting edge while the negative protective edge chamfer ensures its suitability for use at high feed rates with depths of cut up to 17 mm. According to Walter, HU7 demonstrates excellent stability and is suitable for large-volume machining, even in difficult conditions, including the machining of forged parts or interrupted cutting operations.

Compared with HU7, HU5 geometry incorporates a curved cutting edge and an open chip-breaker groove design that provides a slightly softer cutting action to reduce cutting pressure and cutting forces. HU5 is therefore the first choice insert wherever heat generation and/or vibration occur. The grade is particularly suitable for the rough turning of high-temperature alloys and stainless steel.

The third insert design, the HU3 geometry with V-shaped chip formation optimises chip breaking even at small depths of cut and fluctuating material removal rates. This feature makes the HU3 suited to machining parts with a forged skin or varying surfaces. HU3 is primarily for use on steel materials with depths of cut from as low as 0.8mm, while maintaining chip control.

All three turning insert geometries are coated with the new Tiger•tec Gold grades, WPP10G, WPP20G and the WPP30G.
For further information www.walter-tools.com

Strong year for Mazak UK

The continued resilience of the UK’s manufacturing base has delivered a strong sales year for machine tool producer Yamazaki Mazak.Despite challenging conditions, the company has reported strong sales in key markets and machine categories as UK manufacturers continued to invest in new technologies.

Alan Mucklow, managing director UK, Eire and national distributors, says: “The post-Covid upturn that started in 2021 continued into 2022 and we delivered a record month for production in late autumn. Our new machine sales figures are proof that UK manufacturing is willing to invest in new technology to remain productive and competitive.Our customers are telling us that they remain very busy,order books are full and they are confident about the future.”
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk

Jones-Nuttall on right track with ITC

When Warrington-based Jones Nuttall undertook a review of the overall service and support from its supply chain partners, cutting tool vendors were under the microscope. This forensic review based on a multitude of factors opened the door to UK cutting tool manufacturer, Industrial Tooling Corporation (ITC).

Located in the northwest, Jones Nuttall is a subcontract manufacturer with more than 60 employees to help it supply more than 30,000 different components to over 250 clients every year. This client list includes recognised names such as London Underground, Network Rail, Linde Group, ScotRail and Bombardier.

The machine shop is very versatile with over 12 CNC Hurco milling machines and eight CNC lathes, including models from Mazak.Producing everything from 1-offs and small batches up to runs of over 1000 from a diverse range of materials, the company utilises solid carbide and indexable tools for turning, milling, drilling and threading. When the company was witnessing indifferent service from its regular vendors, the company turned to ITC.

ITC technical sales engineer Chris Fairbrother says: “To emphasise the quality and productivity of ITC tools, we first manufactured special form tools for hydraulic components used in the fluid control industry. With supply chain issues from its previous vendor on special tools, we demonstrated our expertise by understanding the requirements of Jones Nuttall, providing technical support and then manufacturing special tools on short lead times. The tools performed exceptionally well, laying a foundation of trust and confidence in the ITC brand.”

With the relationship blossoming, Jones Nuttall incrementally introduced more ITC solid-carbide end mills to its shop floor with impressive results.

“The performance of ITC solid-carbide end mills immediately reduced tooling costs by more than 20% at Jones Nuttall,” says Fairbrother by way of example.
For further information www.itc-ltd.co.uk