Twin-spindle blast machine etches tubular parts

Guyson International, a UK manufacturer of industrial finishing equipment, has recently manufactured and installed into a UK manufacturing company an automated Multiblast RSB twin-spindle blast system for the external blast etching of various tubular components. The new system incorporates two rotating blast stations with matching top clamps to hold the product securely, while two vertically traversing blast guns produce a uniform blast etch finish over the length of the parts.

Twin spindles in combination with the top clamp design provide optimal manual process capacity with an operator able to load and unload two components simultaneously. Once the safety-interlocked front door is opened, the operator simply centres the components between two pairs of conical spring-loaded clamps for processing.

A roof-mounted servo drive vertically raises and lowers the twin Guyson Model 900 blast guns, with blasting taking place on the upward vertical traverse, while a compressed air-wash to remove any residual surface dust or blast media activates on the downward stroke. The servo drive facilitates the programming of different speeds for the blast and air-wash phases of the program, delivering greater productivity and shorter cycle times.

The blast system is fitted with a large front opening door allowing easy component loading, while a side door provides further access for maintenance and adjustment purposes. Interior lighting permits a clear view of the blast etching operation.

After blasting, a Guyson CY600/12 cyclone reclamatorextracts the used blast media. This operation separates the reusable blast media from the dust, blast debris and undersized media, reducing the possibility of contamination in the blast media which could reduce the consistency of the surface finish. A Guyson model C800 twin cartridge dust collector completes the system.
For further information www.guyson.co.uk

Horn Technology Daysset for return

Horn Technology Days are back after four years. On 14-16 June 2023 at its Tübingen headquarters in Germany, cutting tool manufacturer Horn will offer insights into machining using its products. The focus will be on ‘mastering processes’, whereby three elements – the tool, work-holding method and machine tool – are all essential for an efficient production process. Each requires a holistic approach to make it viable for users and provide added value. Gear skiving, polygon turning, slotting, high-speed whirling and Swiss-type turning are among the processes that Horn will present.

Visitors can choose from numerous technical lectures, live machining demonstrations, exhibits and face-to-face discussions. Additionally, numerous partner companies will complement the Technology Days, with representatives on hand to provide advice.
For further information www.horn-technologietage.de/en

Tube bending specialist celebrates 50 years

Unison Ltd, the UK-based inventor of all-electric tube manipulation, celebratesits 50th anniversary on 3 April 2023. To mark reaching a half century, the business is planning a special birthday party at its Scarborough headquarters on 24 May, when several of its latest tube bending technologies will be on display, alongside fibre laser cutters from its sister company, Nukon Lasers UK.Customers, colleagues, friends and neighbours of Unison will all receive an invite to the event, as will members of Made in Yorkshire.

“All in all, it’s been an incredible journey,” says managing director Alan Pickering. “One made possible by having fantastic people on our team, and amazing customers around the world who, every day, put their trust in our uncompromising technologies. Moreover, having invented all-electric tube bending, we intend to stay at the top of our game. Here’s to the next 50 years!”

ModuleWorks opens fourth office

Digital manufacturing software specialist ModuleWorks has opened an office in Pune, India. The new office adds to facilities in Germany, Romania and Japan, and will support the company’s growing international customer base. Dr Yavuz Murtezaoglu, founder and CEO of ModuleWorks, says: “There are lots of exciting opportunities in the Asian market and our customer base in this region is expanding. We develop software in close partnership with our customers and the new Pune office ensures we remain in close proximity, while benefitting from the rich pool of software and engineering talent in the city.”
For further information www.moduleworks.com

Milling and grinding large parts in one set-up

German machining centre manufacturer Roeders is introducing a new production centre, the RXU 2000, for manufacturing large components requiring a high degree of precision. The three-axis machine is not only for 3D milling but also for jig, vertical or profile grinding. Availability in the UK and Ireland is through sole sales agent Hurco Europe.

The machine is for cutting hardened materials and has a working volume of 2000 x 1800 x 800 mm, where the intentionally limited Z-axis travel ensures maximum accuracy. Both the Y and Z axes feature the machine builder’s robust Quadroguide design, while the large machine bed is effective at damping vibrations. The maximum table load is 5 tonne.

A combination of milling and grinding in a single set-up on the same platform is particularly suited to mould and tool making, and to producing high-accuracy parts for machine building. Linear drives in all axes, as well as an advanced temperature management system for the entire machine, ensure high levels of precision, even during long machining runs, reports Hurco. Dimensional accuracy to within 5 µm, and roundness of 1 to 2 µm depending on bore size, is achievableacross the machining envelope.

A 22,000 rpm, 101 Nm HSK-A63 spindle is available for high metal removal rates. Alternatively, spindles up to 80,000 rpm are available for different applications. On request, the machining centre is configurable as a double-spindle machine, for example with a high-precision air bearing spindle alongside the main spindle.
For further information www.hurco.co.uk