XYZ machines reduce cutting times for impellers

Sheffield-based Straaltechniek UK has been manufacturing equipment for the surface preparation industry since 1982 with its range of blasting and shot-peen machines.A key element of the blast wheel is the impeller, which is made from D2 tool steel. Originally manufactured in several operations on a lathe and then a machining centre, this component has six side apertures making it an ideal part for production on a turn-mill machine.

Ryan Doxey, machine shop supervisor, says: “We installed the XYZ TC 320 LTY in November 2022 as it has a full C axis and driven tools on a Y axis, so we can virtually finish one impeller from a solid billet in a single operation. Significant savings in handling, set-ups and faster machining combine to give us a valuable reduction in cycle times. There are a large number of different impellers as, we not only make blast wheels for our own machines, but also retrofit and refurbish machines from other manufacturers, bringing them up to the latest modern efficiency standards. We carry out all the programming on the shop floor and the Siemens 828D ShopTurn Touchscreen control is a favourite with our machinists.”

As well as the XYZ TC 320 LTY, the company also has a XYZ VL 425 lathe with ProtoTRAK control, which turns the blast wheel itself.

“The blast wheels can be up to 405 mm diameter, and we program them on the ProtoTRAK control on the shop floor with sufficient capacity to hold them in soft jaws to complete the machining,” explains Doxey.“The ease of programming on ProtoTRAK and the reliability of this machine gave us the confidence to invest in the XYZ TC 320 LTY and ShopTurn.”
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

Pucktechnik relies on 11 Emag VL machines

Pucktechnik, based in Solbiate Arno near Milan, is a contract manufacturer founded in 2017 that produces casting tools and various components. In total, the company has nearly 30 machines, including 11Emag VL turning machines and an Emag K 160 LA hobbing machine. These solutions provide high-volume and automated series production.

Primarily, with the help of these Emag machines, the company can produce around 650,000 wheels and wheel hubs for earthmoving equipment each year. What is interesting here is the deployment of four independent production lines with a high degree of automation.

The machines in each line are completely interlinked via TrackMotion, also from Emag, with various operations running directly one after the other. As a result, the quantities produced in this area have increased massively in just a few years. The basic technological principle of the lines begins with TransLift, a lift-and-turn carriage on the TrackMotion line gantry with programmable electric gripper, which picks up the raw-parts from a parts store, transports them to the machine at a speed of up to 150 m/min and deposits them on the machine’s internal shuttle. Thanks to the vertical arrangement of the spindle, it can pick up the part from the pick-up position of the shuttle and guide it into the working area of the machine.

After machining, the workpiece is discharged from the machine via the shuttle and transported to the next machine or the discharge conveyor using the TrackMotion system.In short, the combination of Emag pick-up technology with various automation solutions, from TrackMotion to robots, results in powerful and individually adaptable systems.
For further information www.emag.com

Manufacturing rebounds

Britain’s manufacturers are seeing a rebound in activity in the first quarter of the year as the domestic and global markets improved.The latest Make UK/BDO Q1 Manufacturing Outlook survey shows a marked pick-up on the picture in the final quarter of 2022. The figures echo the gradual improvements in other data such as the UK and European PMIs which are now only just in negative territory, as well as a strong pick-up in demand from China. Most notably, the improvement was driven by strong demand in the mechanical equipment and electronics sectors.
For further information www.bit.ly/433Tkp6

Projects worth £1.2m for Walker Engineering

Northwest-based firm Walker Engineering has enjoyed a record start to 2023by winning a host of new projects across the UK. With total new work worth over £1.2m in 2023 alone, the Skelmersdale company has utilised the strength of its team to enter new markets and territories around the country. Growing its team by 11% from 26 to 29 in the year to date, Walker Engineering is now looking to recruit more trainee fabricators, welders, pipefitters and mechanical and electrical engineers. The business is also spearheading a campaign to recruit five new apprentices in various roles.
For further information www.walkereng.co.uk

Renishaw renews partnership

Renishaw has renewed its partnership with British sailing team INEOS Britannia as it works towards the 37th Americas Cup. As an official technical supplier, Renishaw will provide additive manufacturing (AM) and position measurement expertise for INEOS Britannia as it attempts to become the first British team to win the Americas Cup in its 172-year history. The competition takes place in Barcelonabetween August and October 2024, representing the third consecutive challenge for the racing team led by Sir Ben Ainslie. Renishaw has been a partner for all three challenges.
For further information www.renishaw.com