Heavy-duty VMC packs a punch

For manufacturers seeking a heavy-duty machining centre that offers a stable platform for high removal rates on challenging materials, GM CNC has introduced the UK market to the Victor Vcenter G135 vertical machining centre.

Confirming its credentials is a Meehanite casting with a wide-base A-frame design, a wide span column, four box-ways and screw removers with a box-way width of 145 mm, and an overall machine weight of 11,500 kg. Upon the G135’s foundation is a 1400 by 700 mm table that can accommodate parts up to 2200 kg.

This three-axis axis workhorse offers travel of 1350 x 700 x 700 mm in the X, Y and Z axis, with a BT50 spindle taper. The gear-head spindle design generates a power output of 18.5 kW with torque of 498 Nm.

Developed, manufactured and built in-house by Victor, the 6000 rpm spindle has a gear-head concept that retains maximum torque levels throughout the speed range. This factor makes the Vcenter G135 suitable for machining hard materials and exotic alloys.

The Victor Vcenter G135 vertical machining centre has an automatic tool change unit offering 24-tool capacity that can accommodate tools with a maximum weight of up to 15 kg. Furthermore, the axis feed motor on the machine generates 3 kW of power on all axes with a rapid feed rate of 20 m/min and axis acceleration of 0.28 G, which is driven through 50 mm diameter ball-screws.

As standard, the Victor Vcenter G135 is supplied with the latest FANUC CNC, fully enclosed splash guarding, spindle oil cooler, screw-type chip removal, bottom guarding for coolant flushing, rigid tapping, three-step warning lights, automatic power-off and levelling pads.

For further information
www.gm-cnc.com

The ultimate in chip evacuation

In January 2021 MODIG Machine Tool applied for a new patent on a revolutionary innovation – the world’s first Inverted machine tool. With its inverted machine tool line-up, MODIG says it is transforming generic five-axis part and component machining to achieve the ultimate in chip evacuation. The machines are available in the UK from M-Tech.

With optional spindles for high-speed and high-torque applications, and exceptional access to complex part contours, MODIG inverted machining centres are said to optimise the machining process.

In essence, an inverted machining centre is a vertical machining centre turned upside down, but it is not that simple, as inverted machining constitutes a radical departure from traditional machining. Working inverted means easier chip evacuation with less consumption of coolant. Gravity makes chips fall with a natural flow from the workpiece and cutting zone, while the stability, together with the optimised chip-handling system, yields higher performance.

The inverted machining (IM) design, allows machines to be located side by side to optimise footprint and enable load-unload automation. Notably, the chip conveyor is at the back of the machines with easy access for chip handling. The loading of material and unloading of parts take place either manually from the front or by a pallet system, or with overhead loading.

IM machines have a cast-iron base around the structure, locked in all four corners, making the machine highly rigid and enabling the tool to work with extreme precision. Single spindle, dual spindle and four spindle options are available.

MODIG is a family owned business with over 11,000 machines sold worldwide in sectors that include aerospace, automotive, electric vehicle and defence.

For further information
www.modig.se

Dugard expands growing team

As the UK gradually returns to post-pandemic levels, Dugard has appointed David Rawson to support the company’s growth across all brands in its portfolio. Joining the business in April as area sales manager, he is now serving Dugard’s expanding customer base in the north. With almost 30 years in manufacturing, Rawson has spent the past 10 years working for some of the UK’s most prominent machine tool and ancillary equipment manufacturers.
Commenting upon the addition, sales director Colin Thomson says: “From previous experience of working with David, he has an excellent and professional rapport with clients, and his industry knowledge and ability to create the most productive and cost-effective solution for customers is second to none. David has extensive experience of working with cost-competitive machine tools, high-end solution-driven machine tools and sliding-head turning centres, all of which are available in the Dugard portfolio.”

For further information www.dugard.com

Hydroforming press for space sector

Beckwood Press Co has recently delivered and installed a Triform model 68-10FC Fluid Cell sheet hydroforming press to a major supplier of space launch vehicles. The machine features a 1.73 m diameter round forming area that can hold one large tool or multiple smaller tools simultaneously, and a versatile recipe handling system.

Once the tooling and blank are loaded, they are transported into the press via an automated hydraulic shuttle system. The operator then sets the optimal forming pressures (up to 689 bar) and the desired dwell times, if any. Notably, the versatile recipe set-up feature allows the operator to program up to 10 individual steps, selecting the desired pressure and dwell time for each. Up to 500 recipes can be stored in the HMI for fast, easy recall.

During the cycle, a pressurised rubber diaphragm acts as a universal die half, applying equal pressure over every square millimetre of the part’s surface. The finished part is near-net-shape, requiring little or no secondary finishing operations.

“This is the largest Triform press featuring a round forming area and one of the largest sheet hydroforming machines in the world,” says Josh Dixon, Beckwood’s director of sales and marketing. “Beckwood is proud to support the ongoing efforts in commercial space travel and excited to manufacture machinery for this emerging industry.”

For further information
www.beckwoodpress.com

Funding helps Brandauer motor forward

A Midlands-based precision stamping specialist is set to play a significant role in the development of cleaner mobility solutions. Tech company Saietta has selected Brandauer to be part of a new consortium that has won an Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) grant to fast-track production on new electric propulsion motors for use in vehicles from scooters to buses.

Axial Flux Traction technology is said to mark a step-change in how the sector can make electric vehicles go faster for longer. Production specialists at the Birmingham-based firm will use their thin-gauge stamping and progression tool-making expertise to produce busbars and laminations for use in the state-of-the-art motors.

A nomination has secured £500,000 of R&D funding for Brandauer, with the potential to generate up to £1m of new sales in the first 12 months following project completion and more revenue to follow as manufacturing volumes increase.

“Providing cleaner transport is a major global opportunity for the UK and we are delighted to be part of the Saietta consortium to help bring important new technologies to market,” explains Rowan Crozier CEO of Brandauer. “We are heavily involved in providing specialist busbars and laminates to a number of clients in the electrification field, and this latest project will give us the perfect platform to use our ‘manufacturing to microns’ expertise to make a major difference in supporting the development of greener vehicles.”

The APC research contract will enable Saietta to ramp up production capacity to 150,000 motors per annum and trigger the hiring of 150-250 highly skilled engineers in the first round of recruitment.

For further information
www.brandauer.co.uk