Switch fast from collet chuck to mandrel

SMW Autoblok has introduced its hybrid COMOT-AZ quick-change collet chuck featuring industry-standard diameter capacities of 42, 65 and 100 mm to accommodate a large variety of workpiece sizes.

Suitable for bar and tubular stock machining that requires multiple changeovers daily, COMOT-AZ can be used in three ways: for OD machining using standard collets; for greater accuracy utilising high-precision collets with COMOT-AZ/PA; or transform COMOT-AZ quickly into an expanding mandrel for ID clamping using the EMX series.

Used for hard turning, gear grinding, drilling, milling and more, COMOT-AZ provides low-deformation clamping of thin-walled workpieces and offers a large selection of standard collets available in round, square, hexagonal and special configurations when needed for virtually all sizes of spindles.

The optional COMOT-AZ/PA enables users to change from a standard collet to a high-precision collet for holding workpieces from 3 to 100 mm with high accuracy and repeatability. As a point of note, the EMX series extension mandrel is also available for internal workpiece fixtures.

For automated loading, COMOT-AZ provides air sensing to ensure that the part is seated properly before the machine cycle starts. Other advantages include radial fine adjustment and a case-hardened body and internal parts for high resistance and longer life.

For further information
www.bit.ly/3GSyQDN

70 years in standard parts supply

This year, Leeds manufacturer and supplier of standard parts and machine accessories, WDS Components Ltd, celebrates its 70th anniversary. Supplying industries around the world, the company says that the key to its success is a focus on product quality, fast availability and competitive pricing. Furthermore, retaining its manufacturing operations in Britain has helped WDS to retain the trust of its long-standing customers. Today, WDS supplies OEMs, end users and engineers with standard parts and machine accessories, as well as jigs and fixtures, hydraulic lifts and clamps, and broaching and production equipment.

For further information
www.wdscomponents.com

Unison reduces lead times at Safran

Gloucester-based Safran Landing Systems OE (Original Equipment), part of the global Safran group, has taken delivery of two new all-electric Breeze CNC tube bending machines from Unison Ltd. The Unison Breeze machines (16 and 30 mm maximum tube diameter models) will be used to bend thin-wall section titanium tube for the manufacture of 3/8-inch (9.53 mm) to 3/4-inch (19 mm) diameter hydraulic brake and actuator pipes for commercial aircraft undercarriage systems, including those used on Airbus A320, A330 and A340 models. They replace two hydraulically operated tube bending machines that have been in use at Safran for a number of years.

“Realising it was time to renew our tube bending capabilities, as part of our ongoing risk analysis activities – and necessitated by significantly increased manufacturing requirements – we approached a number of tube bending machinery manufacturers to discuss the various options available to us,” says Safran assembly flow line manager Jonathan Crewe.

To enable the Safran team to experience first-hand the capabilities of its all-electric range of Breeze tube bending machines, Unison arranged for the company to visit an existing customer’s facility in Farnborough and observe titanium tube being bent. On the strength of the visit and the testimony provided by that customer, trial parts were produced at Unison’s UK-based manufacturing centre. The order was subsequently placed, and master pipe samples were supplied to Unison in readiness for machine set-up and sign-off.

“We benefited from excellent support and advice at every stage of the process,” adds Jonathan Crewe. “We were particularly impressed by the effort Unison put into training, ensuring that our operators were fully familiar with the Unibend operating system and could confidently bend thin-wall titanium components, all with precisely controlled levels of spring-back to compensate for the material’s high yield strength.”

For further information
www.unisonltd.com

Free conference sessions at Subcon

Visitors to Subcon 2022 (7-9 June, Birmingham NEC) can enjoy over 30 hours of free conference sessions led by industry experts discussing the key issues and trends that are driving innovation and shaping the UK’s industrial landscape in 2022. Sessions will extend from the latest developments in key technology areas such as hydrogen mobility, electrification and nuclear fusion, to keynote insights on automation, finance and engineering skills.

Speakers confirmed this year include: Dave Short, technology director at BAE Systems; Ian Whiting, commercial director at the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre; Tony Langtry, head of mechanical engineering at Tokamak Energy; Hugo Spowers, founder of Riversimple; Professor Ric Allot, director of business development at STFC; Chris Tuck, professor at the University of Nottingham; Nick Hawker, CEO and co-founder of First Light Fusion; and Martin Little, commercial director of the Rail Alliance.

For further information www.subconshow.co.uk

Soraluce names next summit date

This week (18-20 May), machine tool manufacturer Soraluce is holding another summit at its Bergara plant in Spain to commemorate six decades of developing and manufacturing milling, boring, multi-tasking and automation solutions. During the event, the company will present an innovative large-format multi-tasking machine with high automation capacity that was designed for German firm Krones, a leader in production lines for the food and beverage industry

Visitors to the event will also receive a guided tour showcasing Soraluce’s latest progress and projects, with demonstrations of the company damping solutions and continuous live machining. Soraluce will also be demonstrating its new digital services, which will boost machine availability and productivity. The UK agent for Soraluce is TW Ward CNC Machinery.

Register at www.bit.ly/3KT5res