T&G at the ‘core’ of precision grinding

Given industry’s growing use of the IoT and the emergence of smart factories, potential machine tool customers are increasingly looking to purchase cutting-edge manufacturing aids with ‘smart’ controls and enhanced connectivity capabilities.

One such progressive company is Surrey-based T&G Engineering, which recently installed the UK’s first Studer S31 universal cylindrical grinding machine to feature the new United Grinding C.O.R.E. (Customer-Oriented REvolution) operating system.

T&G’s engineering director Tong Smyth says: “The Studer S31 universal cylindrical grinding machine was ordered because of the ever increasing amount of high-precision cylindrical grinding we need to perform. As we have done in the past, before our latest Studer purchase we liaised closely with Peter Harding, the managing director of Advanced Grinding Supplies, the exclusive Studer agent in the south of England and Wales. This co-operation ensured that we specified our new Studer machine to suit our exacting requirements.”

He adds: “In keeping with our policy of ordering machine tools featuring technology that will aid efficiency, our new Studer grinder uses United Grinding’s latest C.O.R.E. operating system. C.O.R.E. is now incorporated into our in-house digital communication and production systems, further improving our programming and grinding efficiency levels.”

Thanks to the uniform C.O.R.E. software architecture, exchanging data between United Grinding machines is now effortless. The integrated system’s universal machine technology interface (umati) can also communicate with third-party systems, while also providing access to United Grinding’s Digital Solutions products directly on the machine without requiring the installation of additional hardware.

The C.O.R.E. panel has a logical design and uses self-explanatory icons, allowing the operator to navigate through the machine’s menu and process steps intuitively.
For further information www.adgrind.co.uk

Low cost per large, heavy honed part

The new Sunnen SV-2010 AXYS CNC honing system solves the challenge of honing large, heavy parts such as cast-iron hydraulic valve blocks and bolted assemblies common to heavy-duty machinery used in the mining, off-road and construction industries. These parts are historically difficult to fixture and hone, and Sunnen says that its SV2010 AXYS sets a new industry standard for cost-efficiency in these applications

Built around Sunnen’s field-proven SV-2000 series honing column, the system integrates the vertical honing column with a high-resolution (20 million pixel) industrial camera and a heavy-duty i5 CNC controlled servo X-Y table to facilitate precise bore positioning accuracy within 0.02 mm.

The operator loads the part, hits the start button, and the system automatically finds the centreline of each bore. Then, the machine automatically hones each bore to specification, in sequence. The operator is free to complete other tasks while the machine completes the part, exponentially increasing operator efficiency and productivity. Easy to use, intuitive controls reduce set-up time and operator training requirements. The 7.5 kW high-torque output servo honing spindle allows the machine to short-stroke or dwell in any part of the bore. The system’s automation and precision honing technology deliver low cost per honed part, while hitting tight bore tolerances.

Machine weight is approximately 6350 kg, with a rugged, solid cast-iron base and honing column to reduce vibration, increase rigidity and enhance performance. The system handles parts with bore diameters from 5‐65 mm, while the part maximum envelope is 600 mm (L) x 300 mm (W) x 300 mm (H), and the maximum part and fixture weight is 800 kg.
For further information www.sunnen.com

SIC Marking acquires Spain-based Sivart

SIC Marking is pursuing its international development with the acquisition of Sivart Sl in Barcelona. Sivart has 20 years of history, starting as a specialist in traceability and vision software solutions. Over the years, Sivart enlarged its offer and became a ‘privileged partner’ of SIC Marking Group, distributing its marking and traceability products in Spain.
Sic Marking offers a one-stop-shop approach, covering any type of marking and tracing requests thanks to a large portfolio of dot-peen, scribing and laser products, as well as a dedicated supply chain for customised solutions.
For further information www.sic-marking.co.uk

Sustainability is focus topic at EMO

Climate change, environmental protection, energy and material efficiency – sustainability is now an integral part of daily life. It will also feature prominently at EMO Hannover 2023 (18-23 September). Experts will be presenting ambitious, long-term strategies – and every proposal implemented represents a step in the right direction. But how is it possible to meet sustainability goals in a practical and, above all, verifiable way? To answer this question, many exhibitors will show innovations and projects that set out how manufacturers can adapt their processes to make production more resource-efficient.
For further information www.emo-hannover.de

Zero-emission electric boats

Marine engineers, Ecomar Propulsion and the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), operated by the University of Strathclyde, have kicked off an ambitious R&D project aimed at bringing the manufacture of key parts used in zero-emissions electric boats to the UK. Funded by the Scottish Inward Investment Catalyst Fund, the project seeks to bring production to Scotland and overcome a global supply chain shortage of electric outboard motors, which are currently made in Japan. Ecomar has set a goal to reduce maritime greenhouse gas emissions by 10 million tonnes within 10 years.
For further information www.nmis.scot