Expert invests in XYZ machines

Newcastle-based Expert Precision Engineering has invested in four machines from XYZ Machine Tools, two XYZ TC400 turning centres, and XYZ 1100 HD and XYZ 800 HD vertical machining centres.

Among the key reasons to choose XYZ was its use of the Siemens ShopMill and ShopTurn control systems, along with the solid construction of the machines, with their box slideways and overall machining capacities.
“We find that with the Siemens control we can cut programming time in half thanks to the easy-to-use interface and graphics, and we can also edit programs quickly,” says director Martin Stokoe. “The rigid construction of the machines, along with the powerful spindles, also suited the work we would be machining, which involves hogging-out material. In our view, the XYZ models can do the work of machines that would be twice the price, so they provide excellent value for money and cost-effective machining, delivering savings that we can pass on to customers.”
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

Engineering firms lead way in apprentice recruitment

Over 50% of engineering firms in the UK have taken on an apprentice in the past two years, a new survey by the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) and Close Brothers Asset Finance has found.

The survey looked across a range of sectors, including food and drink, retail, recruitment and services, discovering that construction was the only other industry employing apprentices at a similar rate to engineering firms.
One of the most interesting points to emerge from the survey was that the biggest barrier to employing an apprentice was not the Apprenticeship Levy, but the lack of suitable candidates, and as well as problems with training providers. Steve Gee, CEO of Close Brothers Asset Finance’s Industrial Equipment Division, says: “Over the past four years Close Brothers Asset Finance, working in partnership with the MTA and the University of Sheffield’s AMRC Training Centre, have funded the training of 60 apprentices. It is very encouraging to see the results of this survey and we’re proud of the part we have played.”
For further information www.mta.org.uk

Dyer installs five Doosan machines

Mills CNC has recently supplied Dyer Engineering, a precision manufacturer located in the northeast of England, with five Doosan machine tools.

The machines – three Doosan DNM 4500 vertical machining centres, one Doosan DNM 6700 large-capacity vertical machining centre and one Lynx 2100LMB lathe equipped with driven tooling and supplied with a barfeed – have been installed at Dyer Engineering’s 100,000 ft2 split-site manufacturing facility in Stanley, County Durham.
All five machines were selected for their reliability, productivity, cutting performance, competitive price, ready availability, and the service and aftersales support provided by Mills CNC. The decision to make such a significant investment in capital equipment followed an internal audit undertaken by Dyer Engineering. It was intended that the audit would identify any weaknesses or potential production ‘pinch points’ that could affect the company’s ability to meet its future growth objectives and ambitions.
Says Leigh Foulger, BatchLine Division lead: “We are committed to continuous improvement and, as such, continually monitor and benchmark all aspects of our performance. The audit results revealed that some of our existing CNC machine tools, while still performing adequately were, owing to their age, becoming less reliable and more prone to breakdown. We knew that the situation, if not addressed, would only become more acute over time and so we decided to ‘grasp the nettle’ and make the significant investment required to address our weaknesses and improve our machining capabilities in one fell swoop.”
Although Dyer Engineering does not necessarily push its machines to deliver exacting part accuracies (typical tolerances required are ±0.2 mm), they can be in operation around the clock and, as such, have to be reliable performers in order to meet OTIF arrangements made with customers.
For further information www.millscnc.co.uk

Tornos releases seven-axis mill

The CU2007 milling centre from Tornos has entered the next stage of its evolution with a seven-axis variant.

Notably, the machine now features a second dividing head with rotary and linear axes that enables it to be converted into a bar-feeding device. In addition, the extra dividing head allows the sixth face to be machined.
To complete the autonomy of the machine, it can be equipped with a pick-and-place system that can be used to store bars up to a length of 330 mm in a magazine located next to the machining area. Once the first bar has been finished, the magazine opens and the manipulator arm picks the following bar up to load it into the five-axis dividing head. The workpiece is clamped, the magazine closes and the machining cycles can be restarted.
If preferred, the CU2007 can be combined with a robot cell. The six-axis robot can load and unload workpieces, and turn them over. An additional gripper system is used to handle the workpiece pallets.
In total, the machine has three types of tool magazine available that have a capacity of 16, 24 or 40 tools. At the heart of the CU2007, the spindle can also be configured according to workpiece requirements. Three spindle types are available: a 12,000 rpm high-torque option; a 20,000 rpm variant for high torque and speed; and a 40,000 rpm high-speed option.
For further information www.tornos.com

AMRC Cymru

The advanced manufacturing research centre (AMRC) under construction in Broughton will be officially known as AMRC Cymru, the Minister for Economy and North Wales Ken Skates has announced. Construction is progressing well on the centre, which will provide a new level of support to business and facilitate collaboration between industry, academic partners and entrepreneurs.

The Welsh Government has invested £20m in the centre, which has confirmed Airbus as the first major tenant. AMRC Cymru is scheduled to be completed in the autumn and it is predicted that the Welsh economy could see seen an increase in GVA of up to £4bn.
For further information www.amrc.co.uk