Change of CEO at GTMA

This year marks the GTMA’s 80th anniversary and provides an opportunity for a new and exciting chapter after CEO Julia Moore handed over the reins to her successor, Dr Alan Arthur, on 1 July. Arthur joined the GTMA in January 2020 as chief technical officer and brings with him a working knowledge of trade associations and a strong background in engineering, which will be a great asset to the GTMA. Says Moore: “It’s with enormous pride that I leave the GTMA, taking many happy memories of a wonderful career gathered over the past 25 years, and say a fond farewell to the terrific team of directors at the GTMA and its members.”
For further information www.gtma.co.uk

Product innovations for the future

Combined friction stir welding and machining processes, scalable manufacturing for micro-technology and high-productivity twin-spindle machining – are just three of the new product innovations by the Chiron Group that are now available in the UK from the Engineering Technology Group (ETG).

High dynamics and stability, plus a large working chamber with a twin-spindle concept and a spindle distance up to 1200 mm – this is the 22, 25 and 28 series from Chiron. Offered by ETG, Chiron says that the new machines are primed to set a new benchmark in terms of productivity and precision in this size range – and they are demonstrably doing so already. As an example, a DZ 25P that has been in use for two years in manufacturing structural components for the automotive industry. All in all, this turnkey solution has provided “a stable and high-precision process with greatly increased output in comparison to the previous system”, according to the customer.

In addition to double-spindle applications such as battery and e-motor housing manufacture, these new series are fully capable of massive machining applications starting with solid blocks. The extremely stable portal design forms the basis for high precision while the well-thought-out working area and user ergonomics enable flexible integration of a wide range of automation solutions for production process reliability.

In another development, the Chiron Group and ETG are now offering a manufacturing system for the micro-technology sector that provides high-precision automated machining of workpieces with maximum dimensions of 50 x 50 x 50 mm.

Finally, by combining FSW and machining, Chiron is developing a forward-thinking innovation. The first projects are already underway at a technology partner company, resulting in the first turnkey machining centres such as the MILL 2000.
For further information www.engtechgroup.com

Festool automates tool-making department

In mould and die making, individual machining processes are increasingly being combined into automated production cells with integrated handling. The main advantage is a higher degree of machine utilisation, as the systems can operate unattended 24/7. Two prerequisites for the realisation of such autonomous systems are more intensive digitalisation of the processes consistent with Industry 4.0 and an increased level of investment.

One company that has followed this automation route is German power tool manufacturer Festool, which produces complex die-casting mould tools and plastic injection moulds for producing its products at a factory in Neidlingen. The toolmaking department has installed a robotic production cell based on machining centres manufactured by German firm, Roeders. Similar technology is available in the UK and Ireland through Roeders sole agent, Hurco Europe.

To implement the installation, Roeders supplied two of its RXP five-axis machining centres and RMSMain job manager software, which is linked to Festool’s IK Office enterprise resource planning system. In addition, the company also supplied a Fanuc R-2000iC handling robot running on a linear rail. Also located within the cell are a Hexagon CMM, an Exeron die-sink EDM machine and an automatic washing system from Mafac.

Within the cell, a Roeders RXP 601 DSH primarily machines graphite electrodes, while a larger RXP 950 DSH is used mainly for hard machining. Materials include 1.2343 hot work tool steel and sometimes 1.2379 cold work tool steel.

Raw material is rough machined in the hardened condition (54-60 HRc) and subsequently finished while remaining in the same fixture. Compared with the previous procedure of roughing in the soft state, then hardening and finally finishing in a second operation, the new method is significantly faster and less expensive.
For further information www.hurco.co.uk

Renishaw’s net zero plans

After committing in November 2021 to a net-zero target by no later than 2050, engineering technologies company, Renishaw, has announced further plans to achieve net zero for scope one and two emissions by 2028 and have fully measured scope three emissions by March 2023. The company’s newly expanded sustainability team will be working to educate internal and external stakeholders about how they can better understand their environmental impact and collectively assist Renishaw to meet its science-based targets.
For further information www.renishaw.com/sustainability

Yamazaki Mazak strengthens UK sales team

Yamazaki Mazak has strengthened its UK sales team with the appointment of a new dedicated sales engineer to support the company’s existing sales managers. Steve Livett joins from MSC Industrial Supply with the remit to develop new business opportunities across the entire Mazak range of machines, CNC controls and automation systems. Livett served an advanced apprenticeship and throughout his career has developed a skill set in milling applications, tooling and the development of CNC machining solutions for subcontract manufacturers. He will report to general sales manager Tony Creamer.