Biomass proves inspired decision at XYZ

To help save energy, as well as the environmental and financial impact of disposing of over 100 tons of wood (pallets) every year, XYZ Machine Tools installed a Froling TX200 250 kW woodchip biomass boiler with Untha wood-chipper at its Tiverton site. Feeding a silo that can contain 10 days of wood chippings, the £180,000 investment is resulting in annual savings of around £100,000 as a result of eliminating costs for transport, landfill, and the gas bill, as well as a rebate for the energy saved.

These savings were at a time prior to the current spike in energy costs, so savings generated now may well be £25,000 per year greater. The rebate is due to the system at XYZ Machine Tools qualifying for the Government’s Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme (now closed to new applicants). The RHI provided businesses with a cash incentive for every kWh of heat generated, which requires monitoring along with the volume of wood used. Companies that qualified for the scheme receive a quarterly index linked rebate over a 20-year period.
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

End mills ease hard-part micro-machining

Kyocera has launched of its 2KMB solid-carbide ball-nose end mill for high-hardness material processing and micro-machining. Used in the fine machining of precision parts and metallic moulds, this new solid-carbide round tool product is now available globally from Kyocera.

2KMB is the second product launch in Kyocera’s K-series solid-carbide line, which combines new coating technology with a proprietary shape for the effective micro-machining of various high-hardness materials such as alloy tool steel, stainless steel and high-speed steel (HSS).

Kyocera’s new wear-resistant coating, MegaCoat Hard Ex, features a special two-layer structure to ensure stable processing with high toughness and chipping resistance. The wear resistance and chipping resistance both contribute to higher quality and longer tool life. According to Kyocera, the coating facilitates long tool-life processing due to its superior oxidation resistance and wear resistance. Notably, the coating supports quenched hardened steel processing from tempered steel up to 70 HRc.

The newly developed S-shaped cutting edge with high levels of sharpness deliver a high-quality surface finish on the component and maintain wear resistance. Here, a wide core thickness increases tool rigidity, which prevents collapse and ensures stable processing. As another stand-out feature, point cutting (strong back taper) reduces collapse and prevents chattering, while the novel cutting edge shape gradually changes rake angle and clearance angle, compatible with high blade edge strength and low resistance.
For further information www.kyocera.co.uk

PCD line for high-speed milling

Tungaloy has introduced its TungRec DX110 series of PCD insert grades for high performance when machining aluminium alloy components. The Tungaloy TungRec milling range has been an established performer with its innovative tool bodies and insert geometries, but now this line is set to take aluminium machining to a new level with the new DX110 PCD insert grade.

Developed for the finish-machining of ISO N materials, the DX110 grade incorporates an ultrafine micro-grain structure that the company says provides outstanding surface finishes and component quality while also demonstrating exceptional cutting edge integrity. This ability to maintain edge sharpness over a prolonged period ensures that end users benefit from long tool life and extended periods of unmanned running, with the economic benefit of reduced insert consumption.

DX110 is first PCD solution incorporated into the TungRec line, offering existing TungRec users the facility to enhance aluminium machining capabilities with existing tool bodies. At present, the PCD inserts are available for TungRec 11 size tool holders, offering the facility for improving small diameter milling tools where vibration and excessive tool overhang are commonplace. Furthermore, the insert geometry and composition reduce cutting forces to generate a smooth cutting action that rapidly removes chips from the work area, while further reducing vibration and improving surface finishes.

Suitable for the machining of aluminium components in the aerospace, automotive and general subcontract sectors, the DX110 insert grade and TungRec tool holders for insert size 11 provide manufacturers with an indexable cutting tool solution from as small as 12 mm diameter. With tool diameter bodies extending up to 100 mm diameter, this new arrival to the TungRec range complements the existing TungSpeed-Mill PCD series, where the smallest diameter tool body is 50 mm.
For further information www.tungaloy.com

Robust Q2 growth at UR

Universal Robots delivered robust growth in Q2, reporting revenue of £83m, which is up 8% on the same period last year. However, in Danish currency, the company has seen growth of 22%. Measured this way, Universal Robots has seen growth of 30% across the first two quarters of 2022 compared with the first half of 2021. The company highlights particularly strong growth in welding demand as being key to its success in the first half of the year, while also increasing revenue from OEM channels. More than 80 OEMs are creating solutions with UR cobots, encompassing tasks from welding to palletising and assembly.
For further information www.universal-robots.com

Registration opens for EMO 2023

Invitations and registration forms for EMO 2023 (Hanover, 18-23 September) are currently on their way to around 60 countries. After a four-year break, the world’s leading trade fair for production technology will offer a new concept, new exhibition area and new formats, breathing of fresh air into the industry after a four-year break. “We’ve been working hard over the past few months to develop the exhibition, while taking into account the changed circumstances following the pandemic,” says EMO general commissioner Carl Martin Welcker. “The organising team is thrilled that things are finally getting underway again.”
For further information www.emo-hannover.com