Arturn makes a turn for Hanwha turning centres

Arturn Precision Engineering has invested in a Hanwha XD38II sliding-head turning centre from Dugard to enhance capacity and throughput at its Rugby-based facility. As a tier-one automotive supplier, as well as a manufacturer for the fastener, electrical, food and pharmaceutical industries, Arturn is no stranger to high-volume production runs, which is where the Hanwha machine from Dugard is making a difference.

Myles Rudkin, foreman at Arturn Engineering, says: “One of the main reasons we bought the Hanwha XD38II is because we can turn up to 38 mm diameter on a sliding-head machine, which in my opinion is pretty impressive, especially when the sweet spot is from 32 to 38 mm. That’s where we have a broad diameter of parts, so it means we can expand the range of components which we can machine for customers.”

Looking at the specific attributes of the machine, Rudkin adds: “It’s a great machine and, where the tools are located, particularly the power tools, makes it easily accessible to interchange cutting tools and accelerate our set-up processes.”

Considering the FANUC 32i-Model B CNC system and the programming, Rudkin says: “I like the programming on this machine. It has broadened my knowledge because a lot of the M codes are familiar, like on a fixed-head machine. This means that my knowledge of fixed-head machines and the respective G- and M-codes will transfer directly to the Hanwha.”

With flood coolant on the new Hanwha XD38II sliding-head turning centre, ISO9001-accredited Arturn has noticed a marked improvement in tool life.

“The coolant flow on this machine is excellent and there is a high number of coolant hoses on the machine that can be moved and directed at specific tools,” says Rudkin.
For further information www.dugard.com

Small Lynx 2600 lathe range becomes larger

Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of DN Solutions’ machine tools in the UK and Ireland, has announced that the recently introduced Lynx 2600 series (comprising Y-axis and Y-axis with sub-spindle models), has been expanded with the introduction of two new machines. The 10” chuck/81 mm bar capacity Lynx 2600 and Lynx 2600M machines provide the same speed, accuracy and cutting performance as the other Lynx lathes in the series.

The Lynx 2600 and Lynx 2600M have many technology features in common. Both machines have 30 m/min rapid rates and are equipped with: 18.5 kW/3500 rpm spindles (403 Nm); high precision and rigid roller-type LM guideways; servo-driven turrets; hydraulically actuated tailstocks; and a grease-type lubrication system. The machines are also available with a choice of control (FANUC i Plus or Siemens 828D). Despite the similarities there are, however, some important differences between the two models.

The first and most obvious is that the Lynx 2600M has a C axis and driven tooling capability (5.5 kW/6000 rpm), which increases this model’s flexibility and productivity potential.
Other differences include: a larger maximum turning length and turning diameter for the Lynx 2600 model (460 and 658 mm) as opposed to 380 and 610 mm for the Lynx 2600M; and a larger capacity BMT 55P turret with the Lynx 2600M (12-tool station), as opposed to a 10-tool station with the Lynx 2600.

Says Tony Dale, Mills CNC’s CEO: “The availability of the new Lynx 2600 and Lynx 2600M models increase the appeal and attractiveness of the series, further reinforcing the proposition that DN Solutions is committed to providing component manufacturers with unrivalled choice and flexibility.”
For further information www.millscnc.co.uk

MACH prize win leads to machine investment

HepcoMotion is a specialist in linear motion technology, with its linear guide systems featuring V-guide technology adopted by machine designers across a range of sectors, including food processing and packaging, automotive (particularly EVs), renewable energy and medical. Continued product development and increased demand resulted in a need to invest in machine tools that would both improve productivity and enhance existing capacity. A visit to the XYZ Machine Tools stand at the MACH 2022 exhibition in April made that investment a little easier.

HepcoMotion’s engineering manager Ryan Berry was investigating improvements in the machining of ballscrews to support a new product launch, so a turning centre was on his list. While on the XYZ Machine Tools stand he was invited to fill out his details for entry into the now traditional XYZ prize draw, the winner of which would receive either the free use of a bed mill for 12 months or the option of a £10,000 discount off any machine in the XYZ range. Learning of his success in the draw, Berry chose the latter, placing an order for an XYZ CT 65 HD turning centre.

“We needed a turning centre that was capable of efficiently machining our hardened ball-screw ends, and the design of the CT 65 HD with its hardened box ways meant it would be robust enough for that work,” he says. “The machine also had the advantage of easy programming and quick changeover, making it ideal for both low- and high-volume work. We placed the order and were surprised to be advised that delivery would be within four weeks.”
For further information, www.xyzmachinetools.com

Faro releases all-new Vantage Max laser tracker

Faro has released its new VantageS6 Max and VantageE6 Max laser tracker series. The new laser trackers offer comprehensive, large-volume 3D measurement up to 80 m, streamlining processes and reducing inspection cycle times while ensuring confidence in the results.

The new Vantage Max enables organisations to increase their throughput while maintaining high inspection accuracy with an attractive 3D metrology option that expands upon the proven track record of the Faro Vantage series. These new trackers maximise 6DoF measurement capabilities via the optional 6Probe, enabling precise measurement of hidden areas and small features.

Faro’s 6Probe meets the dynamic measurement, speed and accuracy requirements of the most challenging industrial applications. With kinematic self-identifying styli, users can change probing tips quickly and measure without any recalibration, and measure hidden areas outside of the tracker’s line of sight with wide acceptance angles.

Moreover, the new Vantage Max provides more accurate 6DoF probing that helps speed up inspections and reduce the number of tooling changes and device moves. Previously, users relied on a spherically mounted retroreflector (SMR) to measure high accuracy points. In order to take these measurements, the user had to select an appropriate target nest and have line of sight. Typical users of the new trackers can now save up to 60 minutes each workday, says Faro.

“With the higher accuracy of the Vantage Max, users can probe more points beyond the line of sight, using an SMR only for alignment points and ultra-precision measurements,” says Leo Martinez, Faro product marketing manager. “This results in a significant productivity improvement of 20% compared to lower accuracy probes.”
For further information www.faro.com

Plug in, automated, non-contact measurement for cobots

The UK’s only fully traceable, automated non-contact gauging system is now available from RARUK Automation. Introduced as a plug and play accessory for the company’s e-Series range Universal Robot six-axis collaborative robot (cobot) arms, the Vectro-2 is the brainchild of Third Dimension, a company with a long track record of supplying non-contact optical measurement systems.

Vectro 2 enables automated 2D profile measurements to be taken quickly and accurately. The kit contains all the pre-configured hardware and software required for easy installation and rapid deployment. Measurement data can be used for inspection and quality control purposes or fed back to the production process for closed-loop control to minimise defects and waste.

The system can measure a variety of parameters: gap and flush, edge, radius, chamfer, angle and many other critical features in the manufacturing process. Thanks to the violet laser technology used in the Vectro 2’s new T-series sensor heads, it can be used on challenging surfaces such as high-gloss paint, glass, plastics, bare metal and fabrics.
RARUK Automation is the only UK distributor to hold platinum status, achieved through the depth of its technical expertise in identifying applications that can be successfully automated. The addition of Vectro 2 to its portfolio, significantly widens the scope of this work.

Through easy graphical programming, Vectro 2 makes it easy to create powerful, data-driven inspection and measurement processes that improve productivity. And, in line with all automation systems from RARUK Automation, Vectro 2 is system that can be applied in any manufacturing environment, from small start-ups to volume production.

RARUK Automation and Vectro 2 can be seen later this week at the North East Automotive Expo 2022 (stand B29) on 29 September at the Beacon of Light, Sunderland.
For further information www.rarukautomation.com