Five-axis machine expands subcontract services

The use of a Starrag twin-pallet, five-axis STC machining centre is not only enabling Switzerland-based punching technology specialist Berhalter AG to “significantly reduce” machining costs by enabling the machine to be fed with long-running five-axis parts or multiple-loaded work, but the machine’s extensive axes travels and capabilities are also allowing the company to out-compete local competitors by processing extra-large components for its aerospace customers.

It was, in fact, the machining of aerospace parts that initially led the company to the re-engineered Starrag STC 1250, which with X, Y and Z-axis travels of 2200 x 1600 x 2100 mm and a 240-tool tower magazine, arrived in 2020 for processing larger parts.

Starrag developed its STC machines for the economical processing of demanding aerospace structural components, multi-blades and casings with long cycle times. The machines’ static and dynamic properties, as well as their tried-and-tested swivel head, are said to set the benchmark for simultaneous five-axis, heavy-duty cutting. However, such demands are not just a necessity for the aviation and energy production industries, as Berhalter also uses its STC 1250 for challenging machine and pump parts made from stainless steel, for example, which require high stability for the accurate production of large holes. Indeed, a positioning accuracy to 0.01 mm is consistently achieved along the STC’s full travel range. In addition, the option of multiple clamping for small parts adds another level of flexibility.

The five-axis capability of the Starrag machine also put it ahead of the large machining centre previously used by Berhalter. In addition to its three dynamic linear axes, the CNC rotary table acts as the fourth simultaneous axis; it has a high-torque, a high-damping drive and can be clamped hydraulically.

For further information
www.starrag.com

Slow but promising Q1 for subcontract sector

The latest Contract Manufacturing Index has revealed a fall in the subcontract manufacturing market of 19% in the first three months of 2022 compared with the final quarter of 2021. However, although the quarter started badly, it picked up strongly in February and, by March, it was 20% up on the average for the previous quarter – with suppliers winning work despite soaring energy prices, ongoing material supply worries and the war in Ukraine. In fact, March was the best month since August. Within the latest figures there was a strong increase
in machining business, up 14% on the
previous quarter.

For further information
www.qimtek.co.uk

Three days of innovation at Subcon

Subcon returns on 7-9 June 2022 at the NEC in Birmingham. Now in its 45th year, Subcon remains the UK’s premier event dedicated to subcontract manufacturing buyers, enabling them to source suppliers, benchmark capabilities and form new manufacturing partnerships. This June, Subcon will once again be co-located with The Engineer Expo and Manufacturing Management Show, bringing together even more of the best suppliers, latest innovations and practical advice.

Across the three show days, Subcon will deliver the contacts, connections and content that UK engineering and manufacturing businesses need to succeed. Visitors will be able to harness new innovations from over 200 suppliers to help increase capacity, optimise productivity, improve flexibility and drive down costs. Subcon exhibitors span a range of manufacturing and engineering businesses, including assembly, CNC machining, fabrication, 3D printing and many more.

For further information
www.subconshow.co.uk

GM emerges as the victor at MACH

The debut appearance of the GM Group at MACH 2022 in April can only be described as a resounding success. The company presented the Victor Vturn-A20YCM and the Vturn-S26/60CM single-spindle turning centres, as well as the compact Vcenter-P76 machining centre. All three were well received with several machine sales and some very serious enquiries taken.

GM Group director Nicola Howard says: “As a first-time MACH exhibitor we didn’t necessarily expect to sell machines off the stand, but we did. The Victor brand has been well respected in machine shops nationwide for decades due to its build quality and longevity, and the feedback we repeatedly had from show visitors is how delighted they were to see the re-emergence of the Victor brand in the UK. Our attendance at MACH has elevated the Victor profile and may have helped to awaken a sleeping giant. We’ll definitely be re-booking for MACH 2024 as this show has given us a debut to remember.”

For further information www.gm-cnc.com

Third five-axis VMC at PB Machine

Established in 1988 and employing over 150 staff, family-owned Irish manufacturing firm PB Machine Tech produces more than 5000 customised hydraulic cylinders per week at its factory in Bagenalstown, County Carlow. To boost production capacity, in November last year the company purchased its third Taiwanese-built Leadwell V-40iT five-axis VMC.

Supplied by sole sales and service agent in Ireland and the UK, WH-Lead, the 12,000 rpm BT40 machine was required due to increasing demand for its hydraulic products from manufacturers around the world in the agricultural, access platform, construction, environmental and materials handling sectors.
Ray Kehoe, general manager – component division at PB Machine Tech, says: “We introduced one-hit manufacture in our factory some years ago following heavy investment in turn-mill machines, and were keen to replicate this on the prismatic machining side of our business. We started that process in June 2018 by augmenting our three-axis VMC capacity with the purchase of our first five-axis machining centre, a Leadwell V-40iT. With one-hit machining, perfect components are produced easily every time. Multiple sequential set-ups on several machines are a thing of the past, as is the manufacture of expensive fixtures.”

After seeing the benefits in terms of raised quality and reduced lead-times resulting from installation of the first V-40iT, its capacity was quickly filled, prompting investment in a second at the end of 2020 and now a third. Control is by Fanuc 0i-MF Plus that, in the case of the machines supplied to Bagenalstown, is able to interpolate four CNC axes simultaneously, although full five-axis operation may also be specified.

Kehoe’s concluding remark was that PB Machine Tech is happy to recommend both Leadwell machines and WH-Lead as important partners in addressing the current economic challenges facing Irish and British manufacturers.

For further information
www.wh-lead.co.uk