BOST gains from machine calibration solution

A well-established manufacturer of heavy-duty lathes and mills based in Gipuzkoa, Spain, BOST Machine Tools Co (BOST) is reducing machine set-up time by 50% and improving rotary axis accuracy with Renishaw’s XR20-W rotary axis calibrator and off-axis rotary software.

With an increasingly demanding market, BOST was facing the need to verify and improve the precision of rotary axes – the primary challenge being the calibration of rotary B axes. B-axis calibration is critical in five-axis machine performance verification to maintain quality, but due to the design of the rotary heads, it was not possible to mount equipment at the centre of these axes to confirm performance. BOST also wanted to improve the performance of C axes, which the company measured previously using a pentaprism system. This method offered no measurement flexibility; a 360° test is limited to capturing 12 positions at 30° intervals.

Renishaw engineers demonstrated the XR20-W rotary axis calibrator on various machines at BOST. The XR20-W offered complete flexibility with test method set-up. It became possible to configure tests with capture intervals and measurement ranges to suit the requirements of the axis in question. Furthermore, Renishaw’s off-axis rotary software allowed BOST to mount the XR20-W away from the centre of axis rotation, providing a simple solution for the calibration of rotary B axes. In fact, this flexibility enabled the company to see improvements in specification for both rotary B and C axes.

BOST decided to purchase the XR20-W rotary axis calibrator as it offered the best five-axis calibration solution for its requirements. When used in conjunction with the company’s existing XL-80 laser interferometer it provides high accuracy of ±1 arc seconds, easy set-up, and fast data capture.

For further information
www.renishaw.com

Automation specialist appoints 1st MTA

Halter CNC Automation, a manufacturer of robotic machine tending systems headquartered in Hoevelaken, Netherlands, has appointed 1st Machine Tool Accessories as its sales agent for England, Wales and Scotland. Until now, the couple of dozen Halter installations currently operating in these markets were supplied either directly from mainland Europe or via various CNC machine tool dealers in the UK.

Halter’s business development manager Rik Peer says: “1st MTA is the first formal sales agent we have appointed in Britain and we expect a majority if not all future sales to be through them. We were keen to find an independent agent that had in-depth knowledge of the industry. We believe we’ve found that company in 1st MTA, which has long experience of supplying bar feed automation for lathes and a wide variety of work-holding equipment and other accessories for both turning and milling.”

For further information www.1mta.com

£1.2m project extends life of parts

Additive manufacturing and machining engineers at the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) have created a low-cost remanufacturing solution that can extend the life of components by 120%, helping UK manufacturers to embrace the circular economy, boost sustainability and save costs.

The two-year £1.2m DigiTool project was part-funded by Innovate UK and focused on the remanufacture of dies, which are commonly used across the hot forging, stamp and press, moulding, and oil and gas industries to shape metal during production, but are typically subject to high costs and long lead times. The framework incorporates a three-stage remanufacturing process using a hybrid platform that combines additive manufacturing and machining. It can also be retrofitted to a legacy machine tool to save entry costs.

For further information https://is.gd/zojutu

Lenox wins trio of awards

Lenox has won three Pro Tool Innovation Awards, representing best-in-class products in the construction industry. The winning products were selected based on innovative features, advanced power delivery, improved ergonomics, technological advancements, developments in job site safety and overall user value. Nearly 500 tools from 89 manufacturers were tested to determine this year’s winners.

The Lenox product award winners were: the Lenox 360 bandsaw monitoring system (Best Software & Apps – Tool Control); Lenox Aviation snips (Best Hand Tools – Cutting); and the Lenox Gen-Tech bandsaw blade (Best Accessories – Blades, Band Saw).

“Innovation is the cornerstone of product development across all Stanley Black & Decker brands,” says Jaime Ramirez, executive vice president and president of global tools and storage for Stanley Black & Decker. “To deliver on our mission of empowering those who make the world, we are unwavering in our promise to provide the tools, technology and resources that professionals in the trades and construction industry need to get the job done.”

The Lenox 360 system is one of the most notable wins for the brand. This monitoring system provides access to key insights, measurements and the control of valuable sawing operations data. As a result, the technology is ideal for steel service centres and fabrication shops, where it can improve decision-making and maximise efficiency through the capture of data in real time via sensors installed on the saw.

“Our brands are continuing to push the industry forward through ground-breaking new features that improve the user experience,” says Tabata Gomez, chief marketing officer of global tools and storage for Stanley Black & Decker.

For further information
www.lenoxtools.com

FEIN launches metal chop saw

Power tools and accessories manufacturer FEIN has released a series of new products to the UK market, including a metal chop saw, a Bluetooth charger and the my.FEIN service app, allowing users to access everything from warranties and receipts, to battery information and services.

FEIN’s new MKAS 355 metal chop saw has launched across the UK, delivering precise and rapid results when cutting metals in the workshop or on-site, reports the company. The cold cutting process means the material is not heated, resulting in no metal dust to ensure maximum safety for end users. The saw also includes an 1800 W motor with soft start technology, alongside an ergonomic handle design to combine comfort, safety and power.

“We’re always looking for more ways to make our customers’ lives as easy as possible, with safety firmly front of mind,” comments Andy Mills, managing director of FEIN UK. “We’ve channelled this into our new MKAS 355 metal chop saw, Bluetooth battery and the my.FEIN app. The products aim to create a more efficient experience for our end users, in turn offering increased productivity,”

Now available in stores nationwide, the new ALG 80 BC battery has 8 A charging current for short charging times and Bluetooth connectivity. The product is compatible with FEIN’s entire 18 V cordless range, including MultiMaster and the 18 V Combi Drill, as well as the my.FEIN app.

With the my.FEIN service app, users can access all of FEIN’s services in one place. The app will store all registered tools, including an individual inventory number for each tool, while making it even easier to register new tools.

For further information
www.fein.com/en_uk