Rotary table range expanded

In 2019, Japanese manufacturer Kitagawa introduced the first in a new range of compact, general purpose rotary tables, the MK series, for adding a rigid fourth CNC axis to a three-axis vertical machining centre. Now, the MK200 has been joined by a second model, the MK250, with significantly uprated performance. Availability in the UK and Ireland is through sole sales agent 1st Machine Tool Accessories.

The most notable improvement on the MK250 is the 1000 Nm, pneumatically actuated clamping torque, making it more than 80% stronger than the first model. As with all Kitagawa tables, this torque is determined by the point at which the force on the worm wheel causes it to displace by 30 µm. In contrast, some manufacturers quote the slipping torque as a maximum, which can cause inaccuracy or even failure.
If a Kitagawa TSR181A tail spindle with integral clamp, also available through 1st MTA, is added for securing a component or tooling column horizontally between centres, the clamping torque increases to 1600 Nm. The result is even faster, heavier duty, more productive machining. As the table has a small footprint, loss of bed area and working volume in a machining centre is minimised.
Kitagawa has both stronger and more compact rotary tables of similar capacity available in its product ranges, such as the GT250 and CK250, but Kitagawa asserts that the MK250 meets 90% of all customer requirements. The unit on its own can support a load of 250 kg horizontally, while it may alternatively be used to hold a component or column weighing up to 125 kg in the vertical orientation. Maximum positioning speed is 33.3 rpm.
The type of the faceplate is specified by the customer, either with T-slots or pre-drilled holes.
For further information www.1mta.com

Automation system for lasers unveiled

LVD has introduced MOVit, a range of automation systems that includes TAS (Tower Automation System) and WAS (Warehouse Automation System) options for LVD Phoenix and Electra laser-cutting machines. MOVit systems also include LVD’s Compact Tower (CT-L), Flexible Automation (FA-L) and Load-Assist (LA).

MOVit TAS is a single or double tower storage system that can be integrated with up to two laser-cutting machines. This tower system offers 16 different configurations available for 3015, 4020 and 6020 laser machine formats.
Also new is MOVit WAS, which offers a custom number of towers beginning at a minimum of three, in single or double-row configurations. Each pallet has a capacity of 3 or 5 tonnes, and a stack height of 90 mm. Multiple laser-cutting machines can be connected to the system using integrated load/unload devices, while output stations can be added to deliver cut sheets to a sorting area or sorted parts to other machines such as press brakes. WAS is available for 3015 and 4020 laser machine formats.
Both TAS and WAS offer the option for unloading directly on the machine(s). Cut sheets are unloaded on a third table where parts can be sorted and made available for additional processing.
The automation systems feature highly customisable configurations that are designed to keep material flow continuous, production uninterrupted, and sheets and parts organised efficiently. Standard TAS and WAS configurations allow for
full lights-out production as finished sheets are returned to available storage.
For further information www.lvdgroup.com

Close Brothers makes new appointment

Close Brothers Asset Finance has appointed Andrew Bowyer to lead the vendor development programme for the Finance for Industry team. Bowyer has been tasked with actively targeting key equipment suppliers to be their finance partner of choice.

Photographed by Will McGregor

He has 20 years’ experience in asset finance, with the last six spent at a major French funder where he successfully grew both broker and vendor business in the industrial, commercial vehicles and construction sectors. Bowyer’s new title is national development manager.
For further information www.closeassetfinance.co.uk

Laser Cutting Co installs tube laser

The Laser Cutting Co (TLCC) has taken delivery of a new Trumpf TruLaser Tube 7000 at its Sheffield facility.

This customer-focused supplier of subcontract laser cutting services will use the machine, which is currently being commissioned, to achieve further growth as part of its progressive five-year plan. Moreover, with TLCC already producing flat sheet-metal ventilator parts as part of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the new TruLaser Tube is helping the company bid competitively for tube-based parts needed for the same purpose.
“We’re heavily focussed on processing innovative tube design, so our investment in the Trumpf TruLaser Tube 7000 will further enhance our capability and capacity in this area,” says director Charlie Day. “Although we’re a subcontractor, our customer slogan is ‘your partner in production’, where we can add considerable value at the design stage. The Trumpf machine will support our efforts in this area, particularly with six-axis 3D cutting and the flow drill and tapping attachment.”
Smart Design Production is the value-added aspect of TLCC’s business, an initiative that has seen the company deliver production cost savings for customers of up to 50% in some instances. Although laser tube cutting can replace conventional machining processes such as drilling, sawing and milling, it is also now possible to perform threading operations in-cycle, replacing weak and time-consuming fixings such as nuts or rivets.
In the first machining step, the flow drill produces an extrusion that is followed by the cutting of a heavy-duty thread. Sensors monitor the process and alert the operator if a tool breaks, for example.
Advantages such as the flow drill will provide a competitive edge in many regards, not least when trying to win work required by the healthcare sector as it looks to boost capacity due to coronavirus.
For further information www.uk.trumpf.com

Automated Amada machines prompt growth

Birmingham-based Finish Architectural has used its investment in the latest automated punching and laser-cutting technology from Amada to double the size of its business over the past five years.

Finish Architectural, which generates turnover of circa £5.5m, manufactures products that include window cills and pods, copings, rain-screen systems, facade steel supports, steel bracketry, flashings, perforated sheet, punched art, louvre systems, and bespoke pressings – essentially any construction-related fabricated item.
“In 2015 we bought our first automated machine, and have doubled in size since then,” states operations director Terry Turner. “Automation removes manual input and provides a lot more control over our operational efficiency.”
The shift to automation began with the arrival of an Amada EM-ZR B servo-electric turret punch press that benefits from an ASLIII MP300/40 automated tower loading system and automatic part picker. Two years later, in 2017, an Amada LCG-AJ 4kW fibre laser-cutting machine was installed featuring an AS LUL automated load-unload system.
“These investments were purposely designed to upgrade our facility and bring automation online,” says Turner. “We knew that automation would unlock the potential growth we had in the business.”
As well as a host of aluminium parts, the laser cutter is also used to process mild steel sheet, sometimes up to 15 mm thick. The impact of the automated Amada machines on business at Finish Architectural cannot be overstated. In 2015, the company operated a single-shift pattern, but by 2018 had switched to 24-hour operations, with the machines running fully throughout the weekends.
“Amada have held our hand and been there every step of the way, to make sure that we develop and grow the business around the automated machines,” concludes Turner. “The Amada support has been fantastic from the start.”
For further information www.amada.eu