MACH 2022 more than 75% sold

MACH 2022 (4-8 April, Birmingham NEC), the first national gathering of the UK engineering community post-Covid-19, has demonstrated its importance to the manufacturing sector by selling over three-quarters of its exhibition space despite there being more than 200 days left before the live event.
James Selka, CEO of MACH organiser, the MTA, says: “The support we’ve already received from the UK manufacturing and engineering community has been tremendous. Their show of faith at what is a pivotal moment for this most crucial of industries, demonstrates both their appetite to do business and their desire to restore the manufacturing sector to its rightful place at the head of the UK economy.”

For further information www.machexhibition.com

Increase productivity and sustainability

CGTech has released version 9.2 of its Vericut CNC machine simulation, verification and optimisation software for all types of CNC machining, including additive and hybrid manufacturing processes. The software operates independently, but can also integrate with leading CAM systems.

Vericut 9.2 increases productivity and sustainability with several new features that boost manufacturing efficiency, help preserve machines and cutting tools, increase machine capacity, and reduce repair and scrap costs. Substantial speed increases to collision checking and overall performance, a New 3DLiv™ interface, improved cutting tool support and reporting enhancements, are just a few of the notable features in this latest release.

Hundreds of customer-driven improvements and software requests also feature in the new version.

“Vericut has been designed to meet the needs of all types of machine shops – from small job shops to OEMs and tier-one suppliers that are regularly pushing the limits of CNC technology,” says Vericut product manager Gene Granata. “The enhancements in version 9.2 provide the speed that machine shops of all sizes need to produce more efficient programs faster and get their products to market more quickly and competitively, while promoting conservation of valuable material and human resources.”

CGTech’s integrated simulation-optimisation solution, Vericut Force, also benefits from these latest enhancements. Force reduces machining times, extends tool life, prevents undesirable cutting conditions and improves part quality. Vericut 9.2 provides Force optimisation users with more options for setting and adjusting optimisation limits, more comprehensive tooling data and greater customisation options for graphs and reports.

For further information
www.cgtech.com

Dynamic HPC milling with Horn DS

Horn (Stand D15, Hall 4) will use the exhibition to launch its expanded DS range of solid-carbide end mills with new, high-performance geometry. The system is for the HPC (high-performance cutting) of high-strength steels at high metal removal rates. Notably, the DS end mill excels in both dynamic and standard roughing applications. Different helix angles create an irregular tooth pitch, making for smooth operation. The tool’s optimised face geometry reduces cutting pressure during linear or circular ramping, while improved chip spaces ensure optimal process reliability during chip formation and removal.

For further information
www.phorn.co.uk

Mastercam 2022 centres on turning

CNC Software Inc, developer of Mastercam CADCAM software, has released Mastercam 2022 turning solutions. From accepting and programming any CAD file to Dynamic Motion roughing and precision finishing, Mastercam 2022 gives users a variety of options to turn parts exactly as required. Mastercam 2022 features new mill-turn support, and enhancements to 3D turning tools, stock diameter and more.

With Mastercam 2022, users can now: define reusable holder assemblies; create collections of adapters, extensions and holders; and store them as an assembly. In short, users can save time and avoid errors by creating reusable assemblies of modular components. These assemblies can be stored in a library and used for the creation of full 3D lathe tool assemblies.

When defining stock dimensions in job set-up, a new button lets users specify the outer or inner diameter by selecting an arc or radial face. After selecting the button, users are returned to the graphics window where they can select an arc or radial face. Programmers can also select an edge. Mastercam automatically reads the proper diameter value from the selected geometry.

The 2022 version of Mastercam introduces steady-rest support for mill-turning, which allows users to precisely position and simulate steady rests throughout the machining process, adding part support capability to turning, milling and part-handling operations. This includes new component types, enhanced component libraries, dedicated operations for each type of steady rest, part handling strategies and simulation features.

The sub-program support from other Mastercam products has also been added to the mill-turn module. Users can create sub-programs for depth cuts and hole-making operations.

For further information
www.mastercam.co.uk

Experience the limit of feasibility

EMO visitors will see Kern (Stand C21, Hall 1) undertake live machining demonstrations to show how injection moulding tools for filter housings (used in respiratory masks) can be machined with a precision of less than 1 µm and surfaces in the single-digit nanometer range. This level of precision and surface finish will be demonstrated on the Kern Micro HD machining centre that is now available in the UK from Rainford Precision.

The parts will initially be roughed with the Heidenhain optimised contouring machining (OCM) option and then brought to the highest quality at critical points with five-axis jig grinding cycles. After machining, the manual polishing of such precision parts is an industry-standard process, however, as the Micro HD achieves surface quality in the single-digit nanometer range, manufacturers can omit this step.

For further information www.rainfordprecision.com