DUGARD DELIVERS OPTIMAL MACHINE TOOL SOLUTION

Founded in 2005, DGF Engineering has been on a continuous growth trajectory and, at every step of the way, the Hertfordshire manufacturer has turned to Dugard for its CNC machine tools. The company started its investment in Dugard machines with the Dugard 1000 three-axis vertical machining centre, since been followed by a SMEC SL 2000M turning centre and now a smaller Dugard 550 machining centre.

The acquisition of the SMEC SL 2000M turning centre in 2022 was due to the turned components at DGF Engineering Ltd increasingly needing secondary milling operations on machining centres. To free-up milling capacity, the Royston-based subcontractor, which produces a diverse range of components for a variety of sectors, believed the Dugard SMEC would make a major difference – and it has.

Recalling why the company invested in a live turning centre, Liam Fernard, workshop manager at DGF Engineering,says: “Turning work with milled features was tying up our CNC milling department for too long and we needed a solution with live tooling. As we were happy with the service that we’d received from Dugard on our Dugard 1000 three-axis vertical machining centre, we naturally looked at their lathes.The SMEC SL 2000M turning centre ticked all the boxes.”

The SMEC SL 2000M CNC lathe comes with FANUC 0iTF or Siemens 828D control options, mill/drill option (M model), 570 mm swing over bed, 460 mm swing over cross slide and an 8″ chuck. It can handle parts measuring up 360 mm diameter and 540/520 mm in length.

With the service, support and reliability of Dugard being as robust as the machines, the company turned to Dugardonce again when it needed additional milling capacity.

Discussing the latest acquisition, Fernard says: “We bought the Dugard 550 for several reasons, one being its small footprint. We didn’t have a huge amount of room and the machine that the Dugard 550 replaced was only a small machine. A lot of the work we do is quite small components, so we didn’t need a large bed and big footprint machine like our Dugard 1000. So, the specification of this machine met all our needs and it fits exactly where we wanted it.”

As a subcontractor, DGF Engineering will typically machine anything, but its main industry focus is the scientific, liquid and gas testing industries – but then this diverse company could also be undertaking work for a farmer down the road.

“We machine a wide range of materials that include aluminium and stainless steel, and for a small machine the Dugard 550 handles stainless very well,” reports Fernard.“The machine has a 10,000 rpm spindle; the horsepower is very good and it will cut all day long.”

Referring to why the company has purchased yet another Dugard machine, Fernard adds: “We’ve been really impressed with the first two Dugard machines we bought and the service has been great. The machine it replaced was getting a little bit old and the spindle speed was only 6000rpm, so it just wasn’t machining how we really wanted. From experience, the first place for us to go was Dugard,to see what they had available.The Dugard 550 stood out; it seemed perfect for our needs.”

The Dugard 550 is a cost-effective vertical machining centre with FANUC, Siemens and Mitsubishi control options. Travel in the X, Y and Z-axis is 550, 440 and 460 mm respectively, with the machine offering a 16-station automatic tool changer (ATC). From order to delivery, the machine was on the shop floor in a matter of weeks.

“The machine was a stock model in the Dugard showroom and, as soon as we were interested, we paid a deposit and it was just a case of sorting things out here to make sure we could get the machine placed,” explains Fernard.“Dugard delivered the machine and took the old one away.They also re-sited another machine for us and completed everything in just 90 minutes. As a company, Dugard understands we have to make money and downtime is expensive, so they do everything in their power to get us up and running as quickly as they can.”

The company is programming its machines with an offline CAM system, alluding to which, Fernard says: “The latest machine fits in easily, just like the other machines. There is a post-processor for the machines, so you don’t have to make any changes. Additionally, we have a mist filtration system on the latest machine. We were debating whether we needed a filtration system, but to make sure we were compliant with legislation, we installed a Dugard filtration unit on the Dugard 550.”

In conclusion, Fernard says: “The machine was delivered with the filtration system already fitted and, as we were very happy with immediate results, we asked Dugard to retrofit filtration systems to our other machines. This was done a day after the Dugard 550 machine was delivered and installed. The service has been fantastic and whenever I speak to anyone who is looking for a machine, I always recommend Dugard because they haven’t put a foot wrong. There’s nothing that is too much trouble for them and they will help you out as much as they can.”
For further information www.dugard.com

RAS transforms metal furniture production

For 35 years, Promal has been offering innovative and high-quality furnishing solutions for office and cultural institutions, including bookshops, libraries, universities, museums, schools and archives.Differentiating itself from competitors, Promal takes pride in managing the entire production process, from project ideas to cutting, bending and painting, at itsPianezza factory.

Notably, the introduction of a RAS bending centre, specifically the RAS 79.26-2 Multibend-Center, marked a turning point for Promal. This automated folding machine unleashed unparalleled potential, enabling Promal to penetrate new markets and expand its product offerings. RAS machines are available in the UK from Press & Shear.

The RAS servo-electric Multibend-Center empowers Promal to achieve positive and negative bends with precision, without damaging the material surface. Its standard tooling ensures maximum design flexibility, while capabilities extend to pentagons, hexagons, conical parts, internal bends, radii and more.

Such was the success of the machine that Promal has since invested in a second RAS Multibend-Center, equipped with intelligent robots. One robot handles loading the blanks, while the other handles unloading and palletising the bent parts. This evolutionary step allows Promal to balance capacity between flat part production and bending efficiency, ensuring optimal utilisation of both bending centres.

Promal strategically utilises its second RAS bending centre for larger batch production, harnessing its speed and productivity characteristics. The original 2.5m working area bending centre now primarily focuses on smaller series that demand versatility and flexibility. Thanks to the RAS machines, Promal fulfils various requirements, including rapid prototyping for new furniture designs.
For further information www.pressandshear.com

Energy efficiency in press brake operations

In the sheet metalworking and manufacturing sector, where large machines like pressbrakes are used extensively, optimising energy consumption has become a priority. Energy-efficient press-brake operations not only contribute to a greener planet but also lead to cost savings and increased productivity.

Modern press brakes are equipped with advanced drive systems that minimise energy wastage. Servo-electric and hybrid drive systems used in ACCURL pressbrakes (available in the UK from Axe & Status) offer precise control over motion and energy consumption, as they only consume power when needed during the bending process.

Intelligent motion control systems in press brakes also play a crucial role in energy optimisation. These systems can adapt the machine’s speed and force based on the specific bending requirements, resulting in more efficient energy utilisation.

Energy-efficient press brakes such as ACCURL machines feature idle and standby modes that automatically reduce energy consumption when the machine is not actively engaged in bending operations. During periods of inactivity, these modes limit power usage, helping businesses save on electricity costs and reduce their environmental impact.

As a further point of note, regular maintenance of press brakes is essential to ensure optimal energy efficiency. Clean and well-maintained machines experience fewer mechanical losses and operate more efficiently.

The role of operators is also vital in achieving energy efficiency in press-brake operations. Well-trained operators who understand the machine’s features and energy-saving functions can make informed decisions to maximise efficiency during production. Streamlining the bending process can also contribute to energy efficiency. By optimising machine tooling set-ups, reducing unnecessary tool changesand consolidating bending tasks, businesses can minimise downtime and improve overall energy utilisation.
For further information www.axestatus.com

Press brake optimises production at Taillefer

Taillefer, located in northern France, specialises in the production of extra-large storage containers such as silos, tanksand pressure vessels, as well as steel structures for concrete plants. Four and a half years ago, Mrand Mrs Condal took over the company, since whenthe workforce has doubled to more than 80. However, the new owners invested not only in additional personnel, but also in advanced machinery for which they turned to Haco.

Mrand Mrs Condalbought two new bending machines and a shear, as well as a second-hand press brake, second-hand shears and a brand new Euromaster-S press brake from Haco. The Euromaster-S features many advanced and high-tech features, such as an angle measuring system, sheet tracking system, automatic Wila tools and a six-axis back gauge.

“Since investing in our Haco folding machinewe’ve been very satisfied,” says Mrs Condal.“We can use the machine for long periodswith consistent quality.”

Production director Kristof Lebouc adds: “The Euromaster is 4 m wide, has a capacity of 320 tonne and features a digital control panel for programming. The machine is very user-friendly and accessible to all.”

The six-axis back gauge allows operators to set axes individually. This permits the company to make parts that are not necessarily rectangular, and facilitates working at an angle. In addition, the press brake features an angle measurement system, which allows Tailleferto produce the pieces directly to the requested angular tolerance.

“With the Fastbend 3D MT, we can program directly on the machine or in the office,” says Lebouc.“In the latter case, the program is sent directly to the machine and the operator only has to import the program.”
For further information www.kingsland.com

LAS set to enter space sector

Doncaster-based Laser Additive Solutions (LAS), a rapidly expanding subcontract provider of laser processing and additive manufacturing services, is targeting customers in the UK’s burgeoning space sector following its investment in aTruPrint 3000 additive production system from Trumpf. If things go to plan, the machine could be the first of many metal 3D printers at this progressive manufacturing business.

“Upon our enquiry, Trumpf alerted us to the availability of a quick-delivery TruPrint 3000 machine,” says managing director Peter Brown. “Although pre-owned, the machine had very low running hours, almost untouched. A powder-bed system had been in my thoughts for a number of years; this was clearly the opportune moment to make the leap.The space sector is constantly seeking manufacturing solutions for lightweight structures that are not easy to build with other technologies.”
For further information www.trumpf.com