IoT solution leads to better output

For many production planners, IoT in manufacturing is still a visionary principle: machines form a fully integrated system that production planners monitor, control and evaluate from a central location. However, this approach is no longer a vision of the future, as demonstrated by an impressive production solution at MAT Machining Europe GmbH, headquartered in Immenhausen. The automotive supplier manufactures differential gear housings on Emag production lines where full automation includes extensive data monitoring and evaluation of machine data. MAT’s aim is to increase line output and process reliability significantly.

The production process for the differential gear housing is impressive: the company has a total of five production lines, each with seven Emag vertical turning lathes, linked via TrackMotion from Emag. A so-called TransLift unit travels “through” the machines on a rail system and transports the component from one pick-up station to the next. Various preliminary processes are carried out on the housings: turning of the first side, including machining of fits and bores; turning of the second side and the outer contour; and – in the final set-up – internal machining of the spherical shape and fitting bores. Finally, washing, measuring and marking follow. In total, MAT produces almost 2 million differential gear housings every year at its Immenhausen location alone.

“Digitisation is naturally an important topic here,” says Axel Dräger, head of engineering at MAT Machining Europe. “At the same time, we knew that Emag has made great efforts around IoT in recent years and is quite interested in testing new IoT solutions with users and getting qualified feedback. So for both companies, the whole thing is a win-win situation.”

For further information
www.emag.com

MTC launches courses in digitalisation

The Manufacturing Technology Centre has launched a suite of online courses to help manufacturing SMEs join the digital revolution sweeping through industry. ‘Practical Steps to Digitalising Your Manufacturing Business’ is a three-part certificate that intends to help UK manufacturers embrace the latest digital technologies and improve their businesses.

The CPD-accredited course – designed by the MTC’s digital manufacturing and SME experts – will introduce participants to new strategies, exploiting the wide range of digital manufacturing technologies already available or coming on stream.

For further information www.the-mtc.org

A win-win situation

Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of Doosan machine tools in the UK and Ireland, has supplied precision subcontract specialist RPS Precision Engineering with a new multi-tasking, twin-turret, twin-spindle turning centre. The machine, a Puma TT1800SY, is now operational at the company’s new 674 sq m facility in Rawtenstall, Lancashire.

As part of the investment package, Mills also supplied the TT1800SY turning centre with a servo-driven Hydrafeed MSV 110 bar feed, as well as a number of different-sized collet chucks and adaptors. In just a few short weeks the investment is already paying off with the TT1800SY having a positive impact on the company’s productivity and performance.

Says Michael Sirrell, owner and managing director: “The TT1800SY is a productivity powerhouse. It might appear small from the outside, but its twin-spindle, twin-turret configuration is helping us machine high-precision components quickly and accurately – in one hit. Furthermore, by integrating the machine with a servo-driven bar feeder, we’ve created an automated manufacturing cell that is both efficient and reliable, which we can run unattended during the day. It’s a real win-win situation for us.”

He adds: “In the near future, when we fully embrace lights-out operations and run the machine unattended overnight and over the weekends, the productivity benefits will be even more impressive.”

A significant percentage of parts at RPS are small and have short cycle times. Materials include hardened and mild steel, aluminium, stainless steel, copper, bronze, brass and plastics, while geometric tolerances are often in the realm of 0.002 mm.

The Fanuc controlled 65 mm bar capacity TT1800SY is equipped with a left and right spindle (both 26 kW/5000 rpm) and features a Y axis (±50 mm), driven tools (5.5 kW/5000 rpm) and an upper and a lower turret (12/24 position).

For further information
www.millscnc.co.uk

£22.6m for AMPI initiative

A consortium led by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has secured £22.6m of funding for a five-year innovation initiative, the first for the Advanced Machinery & Productivity Institute (AMPI), which will be based in Rochdale. The provision of this funding has come through UK Research and Innovation’s flagship Strength in Places Fund (SIPF).

AMPI will stimulate and support the rapid growth of the UK’s machinery manufacturing sector as it transitions to highly integrated digital solutions with sophisticated automated and autonomous robotic systems. The institute will enable invention, realise innovation, and increase the adoption of new machinery and robotics through UK equipment manufacturers. AMPI expects to grow the UK’s advanced machinery capability to a £2bn export capacity within 10 years, establishing over 30,000 high value manufacturing sector jobs in the process.

For further information
www.ampi.org.uk

ABB to buy ASTI Mobile Robotics

ABB will acquire ASTI Mobile Robotics Group (ASTI), a global autonomous mobile robot (AMR) manufacturer with a broad portfolio across all major applications enabled by the company’s software suite. The move will expand ABB’s robotics and automation offer, ensuring it can offer a complete portfolio for the next generation of flexible automated solutions.

Founded in 1982, ASTI has its headquarters in Burgos, Spain and employs over 300 people in Spain, France and Germany. The company is majority owned by Veronica Pascual Boé, who is also CEO. Today, ASTI supports one of Europe’s largest installed fleets of AMRs and has a broad customer base in sectors such as automotive and pharmaceutical, across 20 countries. Since 2015 the company has enjoyed close to 30% growth annually and is targeting approximately $50m in revenue this year.

For further information www.astimobilerobotics.com