Fintek celebrates 40 years of surface finishing

In a year when the pandemic has been at the forefront of news and posing severe challenges for component manufacturers, surface finishing specialist Fintek steps into its 40th year of trading on a high note. Land acquisition for expansion, new machine ranges from partner OTEC and AM post-processing machines from RENA Technologies, ensure the company continues its mission to serve the UK market with advanced surface finishing technologies. Founded by Jonathan Dean in July 1981, originally as Finishing Techniques, the company quickly established itself as a UK expert in metal surface finishing.

For further information
www.fintek.co.uk

Old men doing what old men do

After Andrew Monkhouse of Carlisle-based Complete Engineering Services (a Ceratizit customer) spent 10 days in Cumberland Infirmary recovering from Covid-19 back in January, he, along with co-managing director Alan Walker and long standing motorcycling friend Denzil Addison decided it was time to put a long-held plan into action and raise money for the infirmary and Blood Bikes Cumbria.

The plan is to ride the entire UK coastline in three legs on a trio of 30 year-old Honda Super Cub 50cc motorcycles. With less than 5 hp, a top speed of 37 mph (flat out with a tail wind), the machines can achieve around 100 mpg from the 1.1 gallon fuel tank. The trio are covering their own fuel and accommodation costs, meaning any sponsorship raised from individuals and companies will go directly to the infirmary and Blood Bikes Cumbria. Ceratizit UK & Ireland sponsorship brings added incentive as it will donate £1 per mile on a daily basis to keep the total ticking over.

Make a donation at
https://is.gd/tevusa

Hyfore offers pallet full of benefits

Streamlining productivity on machining centres has never been so easy with the arrival of the Midaco manual pallet changing system from Hyfore Workholding. This cost-effective system integrates into virtually any machining centre to improve up-time and spindle utilisation rates, while reducing costs.

The Midaco manual pallet interface incorporates a compact shuttle with telescopic legs that can be adapted to fit all machine tools, including those with swarf and coolant systems. Sitting on the guide rails are a receiver and pallet with precision retention studs to guarantee positional accuracy in the machine tool, while an ‘easy-flip’ cast iron handle precisely locks the pallet on to the receiver. As the low-profile receiver does not require an air supply, it is extremely versatile and compatible with vertical, horizontal and special purpose machine tools.

By creating a uniform pallet system outside the work envelope, the Midaco pallet changer enables operators to load, unload and inspect components – and set up jobs – whilst the alternative pallet is in the machine processing components. For batch, production and repeat components, this dedicated solution offers significantly improved production times. In addition, it is possible to easily interchange the uniform pallet configuration between machine tools or even departments.

Manufacturers can also opt for Midaco’s front-loading ‘side by side’ shuttle pallet system that is supplied with one cast-iron pneumatically-powered receiver, or cast aluminium pallets and one ‘side by side’ shuttle interface that allows the operator to switch pallets in seconds. With this system, the operator simply activates the pneumatically powered receiver that mounts to the machine table and clamps the pallet.

The system is available in a range of variations that include pallet sizes from 406 x 356 mm to the largest 1829 x 762 mm.

For further information
www.hyfore.com

MAN fights back with £10m sales boost

A UK manufacturing collective is setting its sights on a £10m sales boost after seven of its nine members reported being back to or above pre-Covid levels. The Manufacturing Assembly Network (MAN), which works together to win new contracts and share best practice, has secured a string of contracts across automotive, electronics, medical and renewables following the easing of lockdown. According to MAN, the development will lead to the creation of around 40 new jobs, with plans in place to invest £2.5m on 3D printing capability, robotics and high-speed presses.

For further information
www.man-group.co.uk

Compact chuck boosts versatility

Forkardt, a Hardinge brand and international provider of work-holding solutions and accessories, has upgraded its FNC+ quick jaw change power chuck, a universally applicable wedge style power chuck offering increased versatility and manufacturing efficiencies, as well as reduced set up time.

New features and capabilities include a revised base jaw profile that allows the chuck to accept base jaws from competitive brands. This capability permits users to continue utilising the current inventory of base jaws, irrespective of manufacturer. In addition, the through-hole is now larger to meet the needs of today’s machine tool builders and dealers.

The chuck also features a more compact design, where the FNC+’s reduced chuck body weight results in less mass on the spindle, allowing machine manufacturers to permit/machine a higher workpiece weight and attain higher spindle speeds than ever before. Furthermore, the low overall height allows customers to machine longer parts, simultaneously increasing the usable work envelope of the machine.

Another upgrade is the newly designed and installed piston safety device, which makes it possible to easily and safely mount FNC+ on vertical spindles, while the clamping chuck jaws can now only be unlocked, adjusted and changed with the original actuating key.

Forkardt’s FNC+ also now mounts with six instead of three bolts to the spindle, offering a higher rigidity of the chuck body.

The 3FNC+ is available as straight or angled serration version in sizes 185 to 630.

For further information
www.forkardt.com