DGF takes control with Dugard

Royston-based DGF Engineering Ltd has recently bought its first CNC machining centre from Dugard. The subcontract manufacturer works with customers to undertake everything from design and consultation through to prototypes, small batches and production-run machining.

With the three-axis machining centre marketplace being extremely competitive, Liam Fernard, son of company founder, explains why the business opted for the Dugard 1000 machine with its Mitsubishi M80 CNC and capacity of 1050 by 640 by 660 mm: “Firstly, we wanted to move away from our current supplier, as we weren’t particularly happy with the service. With regards to the Dugard machine, it’s robust, durable and ticked all the boxes. We do quite a lot of large workpieces, so the 1 m bed is perfect. In addition, the training from Dugard was excellent and really comprehensive.”

The Dugard 1000 will machine parts for sectors such as scientific and laboratory equipment, gas analysis and chemical detection, and telecommunications and optical fibre, as well bespoke components for the automotive and agriculture industries.

Like any subcontract business that frequently undertakes repeat work, DGF Engineering was asked if transitioning parts from one machine to the new Dugard 1000 with the Mitsubishi M80 CNC would be an issue.

“There have been no problems whatsoever,” says Fernard. “There might be compatibility changes that we may need to make with existing programs, but they are very small tweaks. The programs will be as they are on any other machine. I was initially dubious about the touchscreen control, especially in the engineering environment with dirty fingers, but it works really well and makes things a lot easier.”

For further information
www.dugard.com

MTI returns to global exhibition circuit

After an enforced break from the domestic and international exhibition circuit due to the pandemic, MTI magazine is once again getting ready to promote the interests of its clients to a global base of machine tool buyers. MTI has always taken great pride in its worldwide presence at prominent machine tool and manufacturing shows, an activity that forms the backbone of the company. At each show, MTI’s friendly team of professionals distribute printed copies of the magazine to visitors, many of whom are planning new investments following a period of subdued activity resulting from Covid-19.
In the coming months (subject to local restrictions), MTI will be taking the magazine to the following exhibitions: UMEX (Mumbai, India, 3-5 September); Subcon (Birmingham, UK, 14-16 September); EMO (Milan, Italy, 4-9 October); Advanced Engineering (Birmingham, UK, 3-4 November); ADIPEC (Abu Dhabi, UAE, 15-18 November); SteelFab (Sharjah, UAE, 10-13 January); FITMA and MSC Expo (Mexico City, 18-20 January); and MACH (Birmingham, UK, 4-8 April). Any advertisers interested in promoting their machines to visitors at these shows should contact MTI without delay.

For further information
email Bob Sadat:
bob@machinerytradeinternational.com

Combining innovation and productivity

GF Machining Solutions, the EDM, milling, additive manufacturing, laser ablation and automation specialist, has introduced a new laser texturing machine. The AgieCharmilles LASER P 400U Femto Flexipulse, designed specifically for aesthetic and functional laser texturing, integrates a laser source that allows operators to select between two different wavelengths. Target customers include those operating in the watch, jewellery, mould making and cutting tool industries, as well as other sectors where micro-machined components are required.

The LASER P 400U Femto Flexipulse is the first machine combining the use of a femtosecond laser with five-axis texturing capability. As a point of note, the texturing operation delivers completely burr-free results and eliminates the need for post-treatment and secondary operations. The green wavelength, with its reduced spot size, is suitable for use with/on reflective materials such as copper, gold and nickel.

Modular in design, the machine includes an integrated bi-laser solution that combines two laser beams for texturing and engraving the same surface. The laser head’s versatility enables manufacturers to switch, quickly and seamlessly, from one beam to the other, helping to reduce processing times. It is possible to machine a multitude of materials, from aluminium and steel, through to graphite, glass, sapphire and polymers.

The latest version of GF Machining Solutions’ GF Laser machine software brings additional intelligence and reliability to the laser texturing process. The company’s ‘Smartpatch’ technology is said to improve texturing quality and process productivity, while 3D Map software allows the import and use of any 3D CAD file.

GFMS says the machine is also the centrepiece of an automated manufacturing cell developed in partnership with Crevoisier SA, a Swiss-based automation, polishing and grinding machine manufacturer.

For further information
www.gfms.com

EDM drilling offers higher productivity

Recently announced as the new UK technical partner for Winbro Group Technologies, the Engineering Technology Group (ETG) is introducing the new Winbro HSD-351 high-speed EDM drilling system.

The Winbro HSD-351 is a compact, high-speed, single-point EDM drilling solution with a solid-state, air-cooled EDM generator that has already proven its pedigree in the aerospace and IGT sectors. Now, the machine is set to make its mark in wider industry.

Winbro’s HSD-351 offers a work axis envelope of 300 x 350 x 550 mm in the X, Y and Z axes, with a rotary C axis of ±360° and an A axis of +10°/-135° that allows end users to process five faces of the workpiece in a single set-up. Linear accuracy and repeatability is 0.008 and 0.006 mm respectively, with a rotary axes accuracy and repeatability of 20 and 15 arc/sec.

Regarding technology, the Winbro HSD-351 provides fast automatic electrode changes, where the machine spits, loads and qualifies the electrode from the cartridge system in less than 15 seconds. The automated tool changer utilises twin 14-station carousels and an automatic barrel changer (ABC) with barrels that each hold 15, 25 or 49 electrodes up to 700 mm long. Notably, the tool change also incorporates an automatic nose guide changer (AGC), and it typically accommodates up to 13 nose guides plus a probe.

The six-point probing system ensures accurate, automated machine calibration via an MP250 Renishaw probe carried on the AGC carousel. In the work envelope, an Erowa pneumatic flat chuck (supplied as standard) facilitates the clamping of components up to 10 kg in weight.

For further information
www.engtechgroup.com

New applications for wearable robotics

With the aim of strengthening the use of wearable robotics to facilitate human-machine collaboration, Comau and IUVO are partnering with Heidelberg University, a leading research institution. The joint project aims to further quantify the degree to which the MATE-XT exoskeleton can reduce physical stress during strenuous tasks involving repetitive shoulder flexion movements. Notably, the scientific study will analyse the biomechanics of using MATE-XT for new applications, under new conditions and within new industries and outdoor environments, while verifying user learning and motor adaptation speeds.

For further information
www.comau.com