Transmission specialist selects EMAG

Solutions for the demanding production of transmission components: this statement sums up the task required of Kordel, headquartered in Dülmen near Münster. The company develops and produces complete transmission systems used in industrial trucks, as well as agricultural and construction machinery. To ensure that its technology can withstand tough, long-term continuous use, while at the same time ensuring efficient power transmission, the specialist manufacturer relies on high-quality, precision machine tools for its production.

For over 20 years, Kordel has been using pick-up technology from EMAG (the company currently operates 17 EMAG machines), and it continuously invests in new models from the German manufacturer. Most recently, the company purchased two VLC 200 GT turn-grind centres. These systems perform hard machining processes on a variety of bevel gears, one after the other, in a single set-up.

The result: by combining turning and grinding, this solution ensures long tool life and a qualitatively stable process.

One of the two machines is located at the Dernekamp site near its headquarters, while the other is in Jawor, Poland. In Germany, the VLC 200 GT manufactures a variety of different sized bevel gears, used in a one-wheel drive for industrial trucks. This gear is one of the central parts of the drive and requires an enormous amount of precision.

After hard turning, only a residual allowance of a few hundredths of a millimetre remains on the gear. The subsequent grinding of inner and outer contours – with the corresponding two grinding spindles inside the VLC 200 GT – creates a consistent surface quality that ensures a stable production process.

For further information
www.emag.com

AWI promotes trio to board of directors

A UK manufacturer of round, flat and profile wire has strengthened its senior management team (SMT) with three key appointments. Alloy Wire International, which celebrates 75 years of manufacturing in 2021, has promoted Tom Mander, Andrew Du Plessis and Adam Shaw as managing director designate, technical director and finance director, respectively. The trio will work with the current SMT to help the company in its next stage of development as it looks to maximise a £3m investment in material, drawing machines, spooling equipment and office/factory improvements.

For further information www.alloywire.com

BCN3D enjoys growth in 2020

BCN3D, an additive manufacturing provider of 3D printing solutions, closed 2020 with record growth, appointing 11 new sales partners and doubling its number of employees. Additional achievements during the past year include €2.8m of investment, launching a full new product portfolio, and moving to new facilities. In order to support this expansion, BCN3D hired 70 new employees during 2020, effectively doubling its team. Now reaching a total of 150 staff, the company relocated to a new plant near Barcelona to allow for more space dedicated to the production of its 3D printing solutions.

For further information www.bcn3d.com

Lathe update broadens its appeal

Although already featuring the latest RLX ProtoTRAK control, XYZ Machine Tools has now introduced a range of options to further enhance the appeal of its RLX 780 heavy-duty CNC lathe (3000 mm between centre distance and 780 mm swing over the bed).

The first option, which will prove attractive to the oil and gas sector, is the availability of a 180 mm spindle bore (160 mm standard). This larger size makes the machine ideal for turning 6” API pipe, which has a standard 168 mm outside diameter.

For customers not familiar with the benefits of ProtoTRAK, XYZ Machine Tools has also added the option of a Siemens 828D ShopTurn control. In addition, customers specifying this CNC will benefit from an eight-station turret with live tooling using a 30 VDI connection.

“The RLX 780 has exceeded all of our sales forecasts, which we made prior to COVID-19,” states Nigel Atherton, managing director at XYZ Machine Tools. “It has proved extremely popular across sectors where large capacity mixed with flexibility is required. These latest updates and options will extend its appeal as a cost-effective solution for turning large, long components, but with the flexibility to machine smaller parts when required.”

Aimed at industries such as rail, oil and gas, and general engineering, the standard specification of the RLX 780 includes a 30 kW spindle with Yaskawa inverter drive that delivers infinitely variable speeds across two ranges of 20-417 and 580-1300 rpm. Machine stability comes from its 8600 kg overall weight, with the one-piece solid ribbed cast base featuring a 500 mm wide vee and flat bed.

For further information
www.xyzmachinetools.com

Large-capacity turn-mill range

Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of Doosan machine tools in the UK and Ireland, has introduced a range of large-capacity turn-mill machines. The Puma SMX 5100L series, the largest in Doosan’s SMX series, handles large, heavy workpieces typically found in the aerospace, energy and oil and gas sectors – machining them to completion in a single set-up.

There are four different models in the range, with the largest machines having chuck sizes up to 21”, a maximum turning diameter of 830 mm and a maximum turning length of 3050 mm.

SMX 5100LS and SMX 5100LSB machines are equipped with high-torque, built-in (left and right) spindles (up to 37 kW/2400 rpm) with 0.0001° resolution on their C axes for high-precision contouring. SMX5100L and SMX 5100LB models offer a programmable, servo-driven tailstock (instead of a sub-spindle) for the precision machining of parts such as long shafts and tubes.

All four models carry a versatile B-axis milling head (±120° stroke) that features the Capto C8 quick-change tooling system. Power is via a 37 kW motor that rotates at 10,000 rpm. The roller gear cam mechanism that drives the B axis eliminates backlash and is highly rigid, with a torque rating of up to 2700 Nm.

Ultra-fast rapid traverse rates (40 m/min), Y-axis capability (520 mm) and heavy-duty high-precision roller LM guideways further optimise productivity and performance.

The machines are also equipped with servo-driven tool changers (up to 120 tools), with the machines’ ATCs also having their own touchscreen panel for ease-of-use, efficient job set-up and better process reliability. Long boring bar and long tool magazines are available as options.

For further information
www.millscnc.co.uk