37% increase in orders

Welshpool-based precision engineering firm Dawson Shanahan has seen phenomenal growth in the first two months of the year, with order intake of automotive components, particularly those for the e-mobility sector, up by 37% in comparison to the same period in 2021. The growth has come from a mix of new and long-standing customers that include OEMs and tier one automotive manufacturers.

As part of Dawson Shanahan’s investment plan and to help meet orders, a further two rotary transfer machines have been completely refurbished for CNC control and are arriving in April. These machines will meet increased requirements for electric vehicle parts in response to high consumer demand. Interestingly, sales for 2021 were 27% up on 2020 and 17% on 2019, so the latest figures point to yet more growth for Dawson Shanahan.

For further information
www.dawson-shanahan.co.uk

UK debut for grinder

Following its world exhibition premiere at EMO last autumn, Vollmer (Hall 20, Stand 550) is giving a UK exhibition debut to the new VGrind 360S grinding machine. The new five-axis CNC grinder can produce carbide tools with a diameter up to 25.4 mm and, depending on the machine’s kinematics and the equipping of grinding wheel packages, it can even manufacture tools up to 150 mm diameter. What sets this grinding machine apart is that it has more precision and power thanks to its linear induction motor and linear slides in the X, Y and Z axes.

For further information
www.vollmer-group.com

Five-axis machining centres from Dugard

Dugard (Hall 20, Stand 640) is showcasing a raft of new machines, including two five-axis models: the Kitamura MedCenter5AX for fast precise machining and the simultaneous Dugard GTX-620.

According to Dugard, the Kitamura MedCenter5AX five-axis vertical machining centre is an extremely compact and versatile machine. With X, Y and Z-axis travel of 254 x 330 x 330 mm over a 170 mm diameter table, the machine incorporates a 30 to 30,000 rpm spindle with an HSK-E40 spindle taper connected to a 40-tool ATC that can change tools in just 1.5 seconds.
Dugard’s new GTX-620 simultaneous five-axis machining centre offers 620 x 520 x 460 mm in X, Y and Z respectively, and the capacity to accept workpieces up to 700 mm diameter on the table. Available with a FANUC or Siemens 840D CNC, the GTX-620 provides spindle power up to 22 kW, a BT40 spindle taper and a 12,000 rpm spindle motor. The B-axis tilts from -50 to +110°, with the C axis capable of rotating a full 360°.

For further information www.dugard.com

Sensor-based clamping system

Roemheld (Hall 6, Stand 450) is showing for the first time in the UK a new modular, sensor-based system that digitalises zero-point clamping by enabling digital recording of its status. STARK.intelligence enables data on workpiece loading and unloading to be integrated directly into an automated manufacturing process. The system also provides information on the condition of the clamping equipment to facilitate its scheduled maintenance. Each fixture is equipped with its own sensor box to measure position, temperature and pressure in real time. A master unit receives data from several units and outputs the information to different devices via IO-Link. The device can be the machine tool’s control screen, computers in the QA department or the service engineer’s smartphone.

For further information
www.roemheld.co.uk

Raising money for charity

In addition to the cutting tool and work-holding innovations on show from Ceratizit UK & Ireland (Hall 18, Stand 210), the company is also raising funds for its two chosen charities: British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research UK. So far, the amount raised is in excess of £54,000. Ceratizit is hoping that this figure will get a significant boost at MACH 2022 with a Hope HB130 mountain bike, valued at over £6000, on offer. The winning entry will be chosen on 4 April live on the Ceratizit stand at 14:00 by World, Olympic, European and Commonwealth cycling champion Katie Archibald MBE. To be in with a chance of claiming this prize, which will be custom-fit to the winner, simply make a minimum donation of £10 at the link below.

For further information
www.bit.ly/3DciWUD