Investing in complete fabrication

Worcestershire-based MJH Fabrications has recently invested in two Amada ENSIS-3015AJ 9 kW fibre laser cutters with MPF load/unload automation systems. This significant capital investment is helping the company to better serve its UK-wide customer base in sectors that include shop-fitting, agriculture, yellow goods and factory automation.

Formed in 1990, MJH Fabrications has grown to become a progressive subcontract fabrication specialist with £2.5m annual turnover, 20,000 sq ft premises and 18 employees.
The company’s entry into laser cutting arrived a number of years ago when it acquired a second-hand machine. Several other preowned laser cutters followed before MJH Fabrications purchased its first new model: an AMADA F1 with automation tower. The company retained this “excellent and reliable” 4 kW CO2 machine for eight years before deciding to enquire about an upgrade.

“With the industry transitioning from CO2 to fibre laser technology, it made sense to think about new investment,” explains company founder Mike Hemming. “Thanks to the experience we’d had with the F1 – a machine that was nothing short of bulletproof – we had no hesitation in returning to Amada. With our F1 we never once had a requirement to call Amada out. The only visit was for annual servicing.”

An ENSIS-3015AJ 9kW fibre laser with MPF load/unload automation provided the perfect solution for MJH Fabrications.

“To be competitive we knew that adopting fibre technology was the only option and, sure enough, we immediately noticed a difference in speed capability with the new ENSIS – it’s unbelievably fast,” says Hemming.

MJH also takes advantage of Amada Variable Beam Control technology, whereby the laser beam is automatically adapted to deliver stable cutting across all material types and thicknesses.

For further information www.amada.eu 

Gear production savings on another planet

A fully automatic production cell based around two Heckert five-axis horizontal T45 machining centres from Starrag with integrated robot handling is manufacturing process-intensive planetary gear carriers in half the time taken by conventional methods, while also reducing tool expenditure by around 25% and halving traditional equipment costs.

The capabilities of the T45 machining centres combine effectively with robotised pallet, gripper and tool handling, as well as seamless cell control technology, to ensure Germany-based mechanical engineering and automation specialist Voith increases productivity by producing the carriers in the shortest possible lead times and with high levels of precision and process reliability.

Assuming an annual output of 50,000 parts per year, the system is also enabling productivity per unit area to be increased by up to two and a half times thanks to a reduction in the number of machines being used compared with traditional methods.

From a process perspective, once the component is clamped, an optimally co-ordinated sequence of rough and smooth milling, turning and drilling operations are undertaken by machines with 15,000 rpm, 292 Nm spindles, complemented by fast start-up and deceleration rates, and 60-tool magazines. The extremely short process and throughput times for sequentially machining workpieces that may be of variable design are partly due to the robot‘s ability to automatically set up the required grippers and type-specific pallets in the storage area while the machines are cutting. When the operator approves a new series for production, the robot changes all equipment within eight seconds. This innovative production solution halves the previous process time.

Overall throughput time is also reduced because there is no need to change workpieces between machines – thus, for example eliminating the installation of different clamping devices and re-clamping.

For further information
www.starrag.com

Sir Ronald Halstead CBE

The EIA, now part of the MTA, has announced the sad passing of its former president Sir Ronald Halstead CBE, at 94 years of age. Sir Ronald led the EIA for over 25 years and had a distinguished career. He gained a CBE in 1976, followed by a knighthood in 1985. In its statement, the EIA says that Sir Ronald will always be remembered for his outspoken views and contribution to industry, especially his lobbying on behalf of SME companies in the engineering sector during his later years. He is survived by two sons, Andrew and Richard.

For further information
www.eia.co.uk

Compact VMC packs a punch

GM CNC has introduced the Victor Vcenter F76 to the UK market for any machine shops seeking a small-footprint three-axis vertical machining centre that is robust, stable, precise and built to last.

Despite its compact footprint, the Victor Vcenter F76 packs a punch with its meehanite casting and A-frame column design. Built upon this foundation is a 15 kW, 8000 rpm BT40 belt-driven spindle that traverses over the 840 x 500 mm table with X, Y and Z-axis travels of 760 by 500 by 510 mm respectively.

The Victor Vcenter F76 can traverse at rapid feed rates of 32 m/min in all three axes. This productivity is complemented by NN-type double roller bearings, 40 mm diameter ball screws and 30/35/45 mm guideways. These technologies help to eliminate backlash and provide bi-directional positional accuracy of 0.010 mm with a repeatability of 0.007 mm.

Affirming this build quality is an overall machine weight of 5260 kg, a FANUC CNC and a barrel-type automatic tool change unit that accommodates up to 24 tools and delivers a tool-change time of 2.4 seconds. As standard, the Victor Vcenter F76 offers fully enclosed splash guarding, screw-type chip remover, air blast, rigid tapping facility, remote MPG, hand tools and toolbox, T nuts for table slots, three-step warning light, and levelling pads.

Some of the options include a spindle upgrade to 10,000 rpm, a 30-tool ATC, an optional 690 mm in the Z axis, rotary tables, coolant and air gun, precision linear scales, oil skimmer, automatic doors, 4th/5th axis interface, auto tool length and part measurement, auto power-off, air conditioning for electrical cabinets, through-tool coolant, and spindle cooling units.

For further information
www.gm-cnc.com

East Midlands Institute of Technology

Pioneering graduates from a new East Midlands Institute of Technology (IoT) would lead the UK’s green and digital revolution, and form the beating heart of the country’s post-pandemic recovery. Loughborough University, the University of Derby, Loughborough College and the Derby College Group (DCG) have joined forces on a £13m plan to create the highly advanced workforce needed to lead the digital revolution – otherwise known as Industry 4.0. The East Midlands IoT would focus on levelling up the critical engineering, manufacturing and digital skills needed by employers to address the engineering challenges of clean growth.

For further information www.lboro.ac.uk