Okuma reaches major milestone

In August 2022, Okuma Corporation cleared a major hurdle, having sold 10,000 units of its MCR double-column machining centre. Okuma attributes this great success since the MCR’s introduction in the 1960s to its systematic advancement and growing interest from new industries, such as semiconductor, electronics and renewable energy. Whether it is a shortage of skilled workers or the goal of climate neutrality, with the intelligent double-column machining centres from Okuma, numerous companies worldwide are now able to respond successfully to current and future challenges, states the company.
For further information www.okuma.eu

Major plans for investment

Sheffield Forgemasters is marking one year since its acquisition by the Ministry of Defence. The company, which provides components for the UK defence programme, has embarked on a recapitalisation programme with up to £400m to be invested over 10 years and key changes already taking place across its 64-acre site. The project has already seen a new 13,000 tonne forging press arrive from Japan and the purchase of two vertical turning lathes from Germany. Additionally, the company has engaged in many tender processes for new cranes and furnaces for the 13,000 tonne forging line, alongside 17 new machining centres.
For further information www.sheffieldforgemasters.com

Mazak celebrates 35 years of UK production

Yamazaki Mazak celebrated 35 years of UK manufacturing by hosting a fun-filled day for its employees and their families at Drayton Manor Theme Park. The celebration was the first time in three years where colleagues and their families could once again come together communally. Over 750 guests enjoyed complimentary use of the theme park, as well as a private lunch, while younger visitors had the chance to meet Drayton Manor’s own Rory the Lion. Since commencing production at Worcester in 1987, the site has produced over 30,000 machine tools.
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk

Cti becomes new AMRC partner

Castings Technology International (Cti) has become a new partner of the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), recognising the ‘synergy’ between the two organisations and the value it will bring to its customers. Sitting alongside the AMRC on the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham, Cti provides advanced casting expertise and manufacturing capabilities, including computer process modelling, design for casting manufacture, rapid manufacture of precision castings, additive processes and materials research.

Cti’s managing director Richard Cook says: “Once a subsidiary of the AMRC, we’re is delighted to become a member of this world-leading cluster of research groups. There is a great deal of synergy in what we do, in particular the ability to signpost clients from pure R&D towards the exploitation of newly developed technology and vice versa for those with mature products who are seeking R&D support.”
For further information www.amrc.co.uk

More fexibility, even for small and medium batches

Schwäbische Werkzeugmaschinen (SW), a manufacturer of multi-spindle machining centres for the large-scale production of metal components, will give a world premiere of its new BA 711 Space will take place at the AMB 2022 trade fair in Stuttgart later this month. The new system is of interest for the production of battery housings, vehicles for rail transport or commercial vehicles, as well as for mechanical engineering or the aerospace industry.

With the BA 711 Space, SW has expanded its machine series to include single-station machines without a double swivel beam. Instead of the company’s typical double pivoting support, these systems only have a rotary axis with a clamping bridge. The elimination of the partition wall expands the available space enormously, allowing users to machine significantly larger parts with the same machine footprint.

SW has also broken new ground with regard to changeover flexibility and automation, among other things, by optionally equipping the workpiece carriers with integrated zero-point clamping systems. Three series of these new machining centres are currently available with different equipment variants.

Like the company’s previous machining centres of the BA 7 series, these systems are characterised by their monoblock design, high axis speeds and the high performance of the spindles. Robust ballscrews drive all three main axes. All of this means that the new systems are suitable for the medium and large series production of large-format, complex components.

The BA 711 Space, with a spindle and a workpiece carrier on the swivel bridge, and a working area of 1350 x 1175 x 650 mm, is available without the system taking up more floor space. SW’s sister model, the BA 721 Space, has the same significantly larger Y stroke of 1175 mm and can therefore also process longer components.
For further information www.sw-machines.com