Compcut 200 exceeds expectations

The Materials Testing Team at the Bristol-based National Composites Centre (NCC) has recently completed a year-long trial of the Compcut 200 composite plate saw with positive results in terms of overall performance, usability, adaptability and technical precision.

Sharp & Tappin’s Compcut 200 is the latest and smallest model in the Compcut range of composite plate saws. The machine is proving popular with test centres and R&D teams, who recognise and value its compactness, technical performance and affordability.
The NCC was already making use of a large, bespoke Sharp & Tappin plate saw and had approached the company to explore options for a smaller, more flexible unit that could meet an increasing internal demand for speedy small sample cutting across a range of material types, while fulfilling a comprehensive set of technical and operational criteria.
Small batch sample cutting at NCC had previously involved manual cutting with inherent accuracy issues, and a time-consuming administration process to arrange the operation.
The results of installing the Compcut 200 have proved positive, with the machine meeting and exceeding the Testing Team’s expectations, citing success factors such as ease of use, a fully enclosed housing, speedy operational processing, and high precision and cut quality. NCC’s team is now able to react more swiftly to meet R&D and urgent testing requirements, and can increasingly offer quick turnaround sample cutting services to other teams within the organisation.
Ben Sharp, Sharp & Tappin managing director, says: “By the nature of their work, the team at the NCC had a very precise and specific set of criteria for establishing a more effective sample cutting operation, and the success of the Compcut 200 more than justifies our faith in this most effective compact composite plate saw.”
For further information www.sharpandtappin.com

Lantek in HSG tie-up

A collaboration agreement has been signed between Lantek and the multinational HSG Laser Group.

Under this agreement, HSG will make it possible to integrate the Lantek Expert CADCAM solution with its different fibre laser cutting machines, which are available in power outputs up to 12 kW. “The sheet metal and fabrication sector is at a critical moment and must take a step towards digitalisation,” says Lantek CEO Alberto López de Biñaspre. “Companies need to interconnect their machines, processes and plants around the world using technologies that allow them to meet production needs in real time.”
For further information www.lantek.com

Sawing technology on show

At Blechexpo 2019 in Stuttgart earlier this month, MEBA shone the spotlight on its recently upgraded MEBAeco 335 DGA-600, which the company describes as the flagship of double-mitre technology.

MEBAeco metal bandsaw machines are based on a modular system that has been continuously developed. The system is the platform on which customers can assemble their individual machines, aligned to specific sawing targets. From a simple, semi-automatic straight-cutting machine, to a patented fully automatic double mitre saw, everything is said to be possible.
The MEBAeco 335 DGA-600 has features such as electric saw feed with ballscrew, or the patented double mitre system which ensures the right angled tension of the material.
Thanks to the frequency-controlled AC drive, the saw blade speed is infinitely variable from 15 to 150 m/min. The continuous use of recirculating ball bearing guides makes the MEBAeco automatic saws smooth, highly loadable, low maintenance and backlash-free. In addition, MEBA double-mitre bandsaws allow the processing of different angle and length combinations.
MEBAeco also makes no compromises when it comes to automation. For a completely automated sawing process, MEBAeco machines can be linked with material storage, as well as infeed and outfeed logistics. Automated production lines for steel structures can be implemented in conjunction with beam drilling rigs, sandblasting rigs, engraving equipment or welding robots.
Cross-linked sawing MEBAconnect solutions are used to good effect in the MEBAeco 335 DGA-600. This machine is equipped with a networkable, ergonomic panel control with various option packages. The packages enable the setting of sawing programs in work preparation, the import of sawing programs from CAD with DSTV interface and data export, or facilitate the extended MEBA Teleservice for remote maintenance.
For further information www.meba-saw.com

Bandsaws for structural sections

According to Bison Machinery, it would be easy to assume that capacity is the deciding factor when selecting a bandsaw, however, with applications varying from the mitre cutting of small box sections and angles, to cutting solid bar stock in exotic materials, it is essential that other machine features are also assessed when looking to cut structural sections.

For instance, unlike older models, most bandsaws now mitre by moving the head, otherwise known as the bow or saw frame, rather than turning the clamps and rotating the material. Smaller saws are often single mitre, as it is quicker to turn the material over, than to reset the saw frame to make a mitre cut in the other direction. However, when working with larger beams, it is essential that the saw frame can be angled in both directions to perform opposite mitres.
In terms of vice design, hydraulic clamping is desirable when cutting larger and heavier beams as it requires a lot of force to pull a beam back in line with the machine. Additionally, machines designed specifically for structural applications will often have a longer bow to permit a full width cut at a suitable height for standard beam sizes, while still allowing the cutting of larger box sections.
Except for the very largest examples, the majority of structural sections are cut on pivot bandsaws. When cutting with a pivot saw, the centre of gravity of the bow shifts as it descends, causing it to speed up or slow down at different stages of the cut. To counter this effect, one or more springs are fitted at the back of the bow, although models such as the Sterling SRA440 DGSA feature a hydraulic counterbalance system which is synchronised with the main down-feed cylinder; this gives a more consistent down-feed rate, resulting in better blade life.
Further factors cited as important by Bison Machinery include digital mitre angle scales, and feed pressure adjustment capability.
For further information www.bisonmachinery.co.uk

LK Metrology names sales director

LK Metrology, a British manufacturer and exporter of CMMs, has appointed Steve Shickell as sales and marketing director.

With nearly 30 years’ experience, Shickell started his career in the manufacturing industry, first with British Aerospace as a tool-room machinist, then at BAE Systems, Chester, as a metrology engineer, and afterwards at Airbus UK, Broughton, where he was tool-room team leader. Since then, Shickell has worked for many metrology equipment suppliers, delivering inspection solutions designed to increase productivity through quality control.
For further information www.lkmetrology.com