FANUC reveals IoT space at technology day

Fanuc unveiled a new space dedicated to the IoT at its UK headquarters in Coventry recently as part of the company’s latest technology day for wire EDM. The event saw several of FANUC’s RoboCut α-CiB wire EDM machines in live cutting action.

Furthermore, all production data was available to view in real-time in the new IoT area. The space demonstrated FANUC’s out-of-the-box MT-Linki machine-tool monitoring service, which allows users to remotely monitor, harvest and analyse live production data.
Visitors were also able to get a first glimpse of FANUC’s newest data connectivity platform, FIELD, will officially launch later in the year.
FANUC’s α-CiB series comprises of compact, submerged wire-cutting machines. One of the stand-out features is the built-in ‘Core Stitch’ function, which allows operators to extend unmanned machining hours through the better planning of cutting jobs. Stitch points are set directly on the machine’s CNC without the need for any pre-programming, and when used in combination with the wire-path re-threading function, offer a good solution for unmanned machining and multi-workpiece cutting. Once the job is complete, operators simply knock-out the cores by hand, avoiding any risk of damaging the machine.
The α-CiB machine series also employs FANUC’s AWF2 automatic wire-feed threading technology, which takes just 10 seconds to complete a threading operation. Importantly, the RoboCut series need not return to the starting point after a wire break, which reduces cycle times. To guarantee reliable threading and re-threading, wires are electronically cut to leave a pointed end that is straight and burr free. Improved cutting control can also be achieved via the built-in iPulse 2 cutting function, which provides accurate corner control, regardless of material thickness or surface roughness.
For further information www.fanuc.eu

Faster wire-EDM cutting at Cowie

Cumbernauld-based subcontract manufacturing specialist Cowie Engineering has continued its investment drive by installing a Sodick VL600Q CNC wire-erosion machine from Sodi-Tech EDM.

The move has seen the replacement of an existing Sodick machine that had reached the end of its useful working life. Since installation, Cowie Engineering says that the VL600Q has not only simplified programming and set-up, but boosted cutting speed by approximately 20%.
Currently, work at Cowie Engineering is focussed on a number of key sectors. For instance, the company reports that the oil and gas sector has shown particular signs of strength. Here, Cowie makes parts for wireline pressure-control equipment, deployment systems, down-hole tools and well testing gauges, often from materials such as Inconel, CA104 aluminium bronze, and 4140 and 4145 alloy steel. In addition, Cowie Engineering reports that it has just secured a contract for a new sector, motorsport, and parts required for this customer are among those currently being produced by the new Sodick VL600Q.
“The machine is kept busy producing a number of different components and features,” explains director Ross Cowie. “Typical operations include the creation of keyways, squares and splines for customers in the bottling, motorsport, and oil and gas sectors. As well as providing around 20% faster cutting speed, we’ve found that the Sodick VL600Q offers far easier programming and set-up than our previous machine. The on-board Heart NC software is really effective, which is probably why we only needed two days of training at Sodi-Tech EDM to pick things up.
“The Sodick machine has not missed a beat since it was installed, while the support from Sodi-Tech EDM has been equally good,” he adds.
For further information www.sodi-techedm.co.uk

Strong first quarter at Corbetts

One of the UK’s longest established hot-dip galvanisers has enjoyed a strong quarter after securing nearly £300,000 of new business.

Corbetts the Galvanizers, which employs 105 people at its facility in Halesfield near Telford, has won contracts to supply customers involved in producing security fencing, street lighting, cable-management systems and agricultural trailers. Sophie Williams, finance director, says: “2019 promised to be an exciting year for our business and it’s certainly living up to its billing with some important new wins and the potential for increased volumes over the next six months.”
For further information https://wcorbett.co.uk/

Ceramicx takes the heat with Excetek EDMs

Ballydehob, Ireland-based Ceramicx, a designer and manufacturer of ceramic infrared heating elements and ovens for industrial and commercial applications, has installed an Excetek wire EDM and EDM hole drill from Warwick Machine Tools. The machines are being used to support the company’s tool-room operations.

Under the auspices of founder Frank Wilson, Ceramicx has gone from strength-to-strength. Around 99% of business comes from exporting its products to over 80 countries, including Germany, UK, USA, Russia, Turkey, India and China. During the past decade Ceramicx has been enjoying average annual growth levels of circa 15%.
In 2017, the company reached a new milestone with the completion of a major building expansion project. The extra space included a well-equipped tool room to provide day-to-day support for the ceramic mouldings required by the company.
“We produce the tooling needed for compacting ceramic powder to generate the various heat insulation and control parts required for our products, so a fully capable and self-sufficient tool room was a pragmatic decision,” says Wilson. “Some of my team visited the MACH 2018 exhibition and subsequently visited Warwick Machine Tools’ showroom in the Midlands.
“A demonstration of the compact Excetek V350 CNC wire EDM machine and the HD30Z EDM hole drilling machine provided my team with the confidence to recommend the investment required,” he adds.
In use, the Excetek EDM machines have proven reliable and robust. However, as Wilson points out, “while the machines are easy to use and maintain, it’s reassuring to know that we have support here in Ireland. Our remote location makes this a key consideration, along with the trust we have in Paul Barry, WMT’s local sales and service engineer.”
For further information www.warwickmachinetools.co.uk

Microdiamant appoints UK agent

Microdiamant has named Master Abrasives as its UK and Ireland representative for its range of diamond products, which are used for fine grinding, lapping and polishing applications.

Master Abrasives’ managing director Paul Batson says: “We identified diamond polishing products, such as diamond slurries and micron diamond powders, as an area which needed be added to our product range. At the same time, we were contacted by Microdiamant, who were looking for a UK partner. Microdiamant products are manufactured in Switzerland to high quality standards.”
For more than 60 years, Microdiamant has been continuously optimising and re-inventing micron diamond with customer needs as a constant focus. Microdiamant is a privately held company that distributes its products through a network of agents, with subsidiaries in approximately 20 countries across Europe, the USA and Asia. The company manufactures diamond products in all common diamond types – natural, monocrystalline, polycrystalline and nanocluster – and in sizes ranging from 18 nm up to 100 µm.
Microdiamant products available from Master Abrasives can be split into categories, the first being micron diamond powders for the superfinishing of hard materials. Micron diamond powders are offered in micron and sub-micron sizes, and in synthetic and natural diamond types.
In addition, Microdiamant offers diamond slurries for the lapping and polishing of hard materials, both in engineered and ready-to-use form. The ready-to-use diamond slurries combine precision graded micron diamond sizes with chemical formulations that are designed to offer high removal rates and surface quality. Microdiamant also provides liquid diamond GAFs, diamond compounds and grinding pads, composite polishing pads, and metallography products.
For further information www.master-abrasives.co.uk