Manufacturing software unveiled

Devon-based software developer, Lineal Software Solutions, has launched a software suite designed for the UK’s manufacturing sector. SQLWorks is an MRP platform that helps companies gauge future demand for products, purchase stock intelligently and control their manufacturing processes.

Lineal Software, which already serves companies right across the UK and as far afield as Sydney, Australia, has hired extra software developers to meet demand with the release of the latest version.

Mike Matthews, Lineal’s managing director, says: “This is a terrific leap forward for our SQLWorks software. The new release is our most advanced version, and introduces powerful new manufacturing and logistical control to our existing business management tools.”

The software also integrates with a wide-ranging set of other business applications, including accounting, stock and warehouse management, document management, and CRM. Lineal’s software team knows the ability for industry to automatically complete important engineering tasks, such as importing newly-designed assemblies (BoMs), capacity planning, updating part costs and forecasting future production.

A company spokesperson says: “Post-lockdown, many firms will be doing some serious soul-searching about whether their systems are really up to scratch. If you can’t innovate then you’re at a dead end, and modernisation will be an important part of the UK’s economic recovery.”

A recent Tech South West Award winner, Lineal recently featured on the Tech Tribe podcast to discuss the challenges of launching a new software product during the COVID-19 pandemic, getting more women into tech, and the post-lockdown recovery.

“SME manufacturers need a provider who will ‘take ownership’ of their pain points, solve these, and deliver better business results,” says the firm.

For further information
www.sqlworks.co.uk

DP introduces Esprit 4.6

The latest Esprit 4.6 from DP Technology includes features such as turning tool-path enhancements, support for contour-type features in pocketing, automatic tool orientation for five-axis tool paths, improved support for multi-spindle and multi-channel machines, and a new connection to the Machining Cloud tool catalogue.

Enhancements to the turning cycles reduce perishable tooling consumption, minimise intervention from the machine-tool operator by creating more predictable machining processes and reduce the need for manual NC code editing, further improving user efficiency.

The new support for contour-type features in pocketing allows users to exploit Esprit’s ProfitMilling cycle to rough-out a profile without creating extra boundary geometry, while five-axis composite automatic tool orientation is a new programming method for the composite cycle.
“This is a big leap forward for simplifying five-axis programming and improving tool-path continuity,” says Yijun Fan, director of product marketing at DP Technology. “It makes it much easier to program five-axis composite components, especially in parts with hard-to-reach areas.”
Automatic orientation gives precedence to tool-path continuity, creating a better surface finish on a completed part.

Esprit 4.6 also enables support for multi-spindle machines featuring an off-centre sub-spindle with an X-axis slide, including machines with a tailstock and sub-spindle mounted on the same X-axis slide. Multi-channel machines are controllable with a new interactive method that synchronises motions within a cycle.

Machining Cloud is the fastest way to find, select and assemble tools from leading tool manufacturers. Esprit improves the connection to Machining Cloud with a simplified workflow, and via the introduction of a new job manager for full control over the import of tool assemblies.

For further information
www.espritcam.com

Nissan Leaf passes 40,000 UK sales

As Nissan marks the 10th anniversary of the Leaf, Nissan GB is also celebrating its 40,000th Leaf sale. The UK has been one of Nissan’s fastest growing electric-vehicle (EV) markets, responsible for over one in five Leaf sales in Europe. Nissan’s Sunderland plant has been producing the Leaf since April 2013. In recognition of its position in the growing used EV market, the Leaf has just been named ‘Used Electric Car of the Year’ in the Driving Electric Awards 2021.

For further information
www.nissan.co.uk/leaf

SW improves user experience

Machine-tool builder Schwäbische Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH (SW) has incorporated multi-touch capabilities into its recently released CNC HMI: the C|one control panel.

The main display of C|one, in addition to its multi-touch capabilities, is 24” in size and features increased haptic feedback. This feedback imitates the feel of real hardware buttons to prevent incorrect operation, while enabling the blind operation of functions. An intelligent touch-sensor additionally prevents accidental input due to water and dirt, while a multi-functional rotary dial provides precision for feed and spindle override, and can also serve as a hand-wheel.

When a fuse blows (a problem with a simple enough solution) it can quickly get buried in a traditional NC by the subsequent alarms it triggers. Instead of spending time digging for the root cause, C|one makes the problem clear, ultimately cutting downtime. The panel will indicate initial alarms, even when they cause a domino effect.

Among the tasks improved by C|one is managing programs, where program history and programs saved in the NC are viewable. The most recently selected programs are saved as history and up to five programs can be saved as favourites per table. Time stamps for file changes are tracked, while sub-program files and main program files are easily switched on the display, as well as the workpiece folders (depending on the needs of the operator). Table-dependent programs are selectable and de-selectable, and the system tracks these actions for straightforward review.
SW is exploring additional features for C|one implementation in the near future, such as advanced tool management.

For further information
www.sw-machines.de

CAM helps Multax hit £3m turnover

Buying its first machine in December 2016, Multax Engineered Precision Ltd has already hit the turnover landmark of £3m. This growth is a credit to a core philosophy of automated production and reduced man-hours, and of course investment in the latest manufacturing technologies.

Like any small business start-up, nothing would have been possible without the dedication and determination shown by company founders John McNab and Ashley Mizen, two ex-work colleagues who were working around the clock in their respective posts while setting up the new enterprise. To achieve automated production utopia, the first machine installation was a 10-pallet, five-axis Mikron HSM600U machining centre supported by CAM software from Open Mind Technologies.

The Andover Company now has 17 staff, and has invested close to £3m on 10 machine tools and supporting equipment since its inception.
Director Ashley Mizen says: “Five of our six five-axis machines are automated, and we try to maximise our automation as much as possible. We have skeleton staff working overnight and offer night-shift programming, so that jobs can be delivered ‘next-day’, if required.”

Taking a closer look at why this rapidly-growing automotive, motorsport, aerospace, medical and scientific subcontract manufacturing business places such glowing plaudits upon hyperMILL, Mizen adds: “I was an Open Mind user before we decided to start the company. It is a ‘game-changer’ for our business and we now have seven seats of hyperMILL. It allows staff to check the datum of the part, produce the tooling sheet, put the NC code into the machine and run the verification cycle to prevent collisions.”

For further information
www.openmind-tech.com