ITC reveals new cutters for aluminium

Industrial Tooling Corporation (ITC) has released its latest 3204 range of end mills for aluminium workpieces.

The new three-flute range of solid-carbide end mills has been developed with a long flute length for reaching into cavities with high levels of rigidity and performance, says the company. ITC’s 3204 series cutters combine centre-cutting geometry with the company’s latest chip-breaking technology. A high-performance micro-grain carbide composition is said to generate extended tool life and wear resistance.
Developed in conjunction with its UK customer base, ITC says that the 3204 range incorporates a strengthened core diameter and efficient geometry design that rapidly expedites chips from the work envelope, while minimising vibration and stabilising performance. Suitable for everything from rough to semi-finish machining, the centre-cutting 3204 enhances surface finish and prevents re-cutting.
ITC’s 3204 series is available in diameters of 6, 8, 10, 12, 16 and 20 mm, with an overall length of 100 mm for tools from 6 to 12 mm, and an overall length of 150 mm for the 16 and 20 mm variants. These tool lengths have been optimised in line with customer feedback, and provides a flute length from 35 to 80 mm depending upon the chosen tool diameter. ITC says this factor has already been proven to increase stability, rigidity, longevity and overall performance in comparison with previous product lines.
The overall length and flute length combinations are the result of extensive trials and testing.
For further information www.itc-ltd.co.uk/products

Ward CNC passes latest ISO9001 audit

Ward CNC has achieved continued recognition from its July 2020 ISO 9001:2015 quality management audit from the BSI. The achievement was underpinned by the fact that no non-conformities were found during both the July audit and the original awarding in December 2019.

Executive director Stephen Bodsworth (pictured front, centre) says: “Like many organisations during this time, we’ve had to adapt to the threats of COVID-19 and implement new ways of working for the safety of our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Throughout this period – and despite these challenges – we’ve been able to ensure that customer experience is at the high standard we demand of ourselves and that our customers would come to expect. Despite the audit taking place in a virtual form, we were still able to demonstrate the processes and management systems that enable us to keep these standards in this unique environment.”
For further information www.wardcnc.com

XYZ sees return of customer confidence

At the height of the pandemic, XYZ Machine Tools reduced overall staffing levels while maintaining those crucial areas of customer support, service, programming support, spares and sales, with a core of 22 employees.

A strengthening in sales throughout June and July have seen that number increase to 56, with the prospect of more people being pulled off furlough in the coming weeks.
“Thanks to our strong financial position we’ve been able to weather whatever COVID-19 threw at us,” states Nigel Atherton, managing director of XYZ Machine Tools. “We were resolute in maintaining core customer service functions and this has paid dividends as customers have continued to accept existing orders, while we’ve also seen relatively strong sales of new machines during the pandemic. We must obviously remain focused and wary of the ongoing situation, but it’s encouraging to see customer confidence returning, with positive signs of a willingness to invest in new machine tools.”
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

2500T hydraulic press for DMP

Beckwood Press Co has been awarded a contract by Diverse Metal Products (DMP) to manufacture a 2500-ton hydraulic forming press.

Scheduled for delivery later this year, the press will be used to make embossed heat exchanger plates in nuclear missile tubes for the US Navy.
The custom press will feature an eight-point square gib guidance system that is fully adjustable left-to-right and front-to-back to minimise lateral movement under load. The 1.2 x 1.65 m bed and ram bolsters will be machined to accommodate DMP’s existing tooling. Safety features include light curtains on the front opening, fixed polycarbonate guarding on the rear, and a UL-certified electrical enclosure.
Like every Beckwood press, DMP’s new machine includes several uptime-focused features. For instance, the structure is engineered for ‘infinite life’ using FEA software, while dual linear and pressure transducers offer reliability and redundancy. In addition, Beckwood’s proprietary PressLink module facilitates fast, complementary remote support.
“We are proud to support companies like DMP, who supply critical components to the US military,” says Josh Dixon, Beckwood’s director of sales and marketing. “Our unwavering commitment to engineering and manufacturing presses in the US results in safe, reliable machinery and gives every Beckwood customer a competitive advantage.”
“DMP is proud to partner with Beckwood on this project,” adds John Keith, one of DMP’s owners. “Selecting a US manufacturer to help us support the US Nuclear Navy was our number one objective. Beckwood has done what they said they would. We are excited to deploy this asset in the coming months.”
For further information www.beckwoodpress.com

£1.45m investment in robotics firm

Foresight Group, an independent infrastructure and private-equity investment manager, and Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE), have made a £1.45m follow-on investment from the Foresight Williams Technology EIS Fund into Inovo Robotics.

This investment will allow Inovo to grow sales internationally and brings the total invested by the fund to £2.95m, having originally invested £1.5m in October 2018 to support the company’s first product to market. Inovo is developing a competitively priced ‘cobot’, a collaborative robot designed to operate safely
within a human work environment.
For further information www.wae.com