PSL Datatrack reaches 20 years as BTMA member

PSL Datatrack has reached a landmark 20 years as a ‘Technical Member’ of the British Turned Parts Manufacturers Association (BTMA).As a Technical Member, the company plays an active role in supporting manufacturing members with its expertise in production control software, designed to streamline the entire production process from quotation to invoice. “We’re proud to be the only supplier of production control software to serve as a member of the BTMA, an association representing the best of the best of British manufacturing,” states Geoff Gartland, managing director of PSL Datatrack.
For further information www.psldatatrack.com

New integrated CADCAM bending software

Hacois introducing new bending software, HacoBend Pro,which includes both an in-house developed CAD module and CAM software. With the CAD software, users can draw 3D parts for bending or import and modify external files (STEP/IGS) smoothly and accurately. The CAM module automatically generates a bending program and a correct unfolding of the workpiece.

HacoBend Pro is a software package for the offline programming of press brakes. Through a highly visual easy-to-use interface, Haco says that users can create efficient bending programs in a simple and fast way, allowing operation of the machine in a more optimal way. A smart and fast bend sequence calculation with automatically generated back-gauge positions and an optimised tool set-up contribute to faster machine set-up and cycle times.
In addition, a correct unfolding of the sheet takes into account the type of material and tool selection.

With the integrated CAD module, it is possible to create technically correct bent 3D parts, taking into account the correct bending radii and the required corner cut-outs. Thanks to HacoBend Pro, the company says that users can enjoy greatly reduced programming times, minimised set-up times and right-first-time components.

New features in the HacoBend Pro include: an easy-to-use interface; bend sequence determination with automatic back-gauge calculation; optimised tool set-up; suitability for special bends such as Z bends; dynamic simulation; a user-friendly CAD module for both 2D and 3D design; and correct unfolding in DXF.

Throughout the entire process, the operator/setter receives assistance in selecting tooling, calculating an optimal bending sequence and positioning the back-gauge.
For further information www.kingsland.com

Mastercam names Wildest Parts competition winners

Mastercam has announced the 2022 Wildest Parts winners, an annual global competition that encourages student interest and participation in manufacturing. In the Educational Division, the winning team from Vincennes University, Indiana, submitted a working electric skateboard. The project started out as a simple personal project until the instructor approached team members about entering it into the competition. In the Professional Division, David Berry from Southwestern Illinois College submitted a turbocharged impeller. He always wanted to cut an impeller, so he designed a desk piece that featured a 12-blade, large wheel compressor design.
For further information www.bit.ly/3JcVydW

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