Editor’s Pick

Compact Rotary Tables Offer Large Five-Axis Machining Volumes

Designed to convert small, three-axis vertical-spindle machining centres (VMCs) into versatile five-axis production centres, while enabling them to machine larger components than their size would normally allow, Kitagawa has launched two new compound rotary tables. The Japanese-manufactured RKT500 and RKT600 are available in the UK and Ireland exclusively through sales agent 1st Machine Tool Accessories.

Developed primarily for the many 30-taper VMCs that offer only linear CNC motion, the rotary tables add two rotary axes to deliver full five-axis capability. They can also be fitted to smaller 40-taper machines and, subject to cutting force limitations, selected 50-taper models.

The RKT500 accommodates workpieces up to 500 mm in diameter and 270 mm high, while the RKT600 increases capacity to 600 mm diameter and 320 mm high. Both models support a combined workpiece and fixture weight of up to 100 kg.

To simplify automated work holding, both tables feature a coolant port, while the RKT500 provides six hydraulic or pneumatic ports and the RKT600 offers 10.

Kitagawa’s patented multi-plate braking technology delivers 740 Nm of clamping torque on the tilting axis and 600 Nm on the rotating axis. Positioning accuracy is within 30 arc-seconds on both axes, with repeatability of ±2 arc-seconds.

The high levels of accuracy and rigidity are achieved using Kitagawa’s roller gear cam mechanism, which eliminates backlash while offering greater torque transmission efficiency, rigidity and indexing speed than conventional worm gear drives.

Once positioned, each axis is securely locked using Kitagawa’s multi-disc braking system. By stacking multiple friction discs, the design achieves high clamping torque without increasing the physical size of the rotary table, maximising performance while maintaining a compact footprint.

More information www.1mta.com

BodorGenius Third-Fen 10 kW-Class Laser Head Unveiled

Bodor Laser has launched its BodorGenius third-generation 10 kW-class laser head, a major in-house development designed to deliver higher precision, greater reliability and improved productivity in high-power laser cutting applications.

As the core component of a laser cutting system, the laser head has a direct impact on cutting quality, machine stability and long-term operating costs. Developed to meet growing demand for high-volume, high-intensity metal processing, the new design addresses many of the limitations associated with conventional laser heads, including contamination, accuracy drift and maintenance requirements.

A key feature is an upgraded sealing system incorporating a dual-layer drawer-style structure and twin protective lens barriers. The design prevents dust, smoke, oil and metal debris from entering the optical path, while improving fault tolerance by protecting critical components even if the outer lens is damaged. The result is longer component life, lower maintenance costs and greater process reliability.

Bodor has also redesigned the laser head’s internal architecture by separating the clean optical chamber from the transmission structure, reducing wear, contamination and accuracy loss. Following more than 1000 hours of extreme-condition testing, the design maintained stable cutting performance with no internal debris generation.

To improve reliability, the laser head undergoes extensive dynamic vibration testing, simulating thousands of kilometres of transportation and more than 15,000 high-frequency vibration cycles before shipment. An integrated intelligent safety system continuously monitors operating conditions, providing early warnings to help prevent abnormal machine operation.

The new laser head also benefits from an industrial ultrasonic three-stage cleaning process during manufacture, ensuring maximum optical cleanliness from the outset.

The launch reflects Bodor Laser’s continued investment in proprietary laser technology and reinforces its commitment to advancing the performance, precision and reliability of high-power laser cutting systems.More information www.bodor.com

Excel Updates Brand and Expands Range

Excel Machine Tools, a family-run supplier with more than 40 years of industry experience, has unveiled its updated brand identity and expanded product range, reinforcing its commitment to supporting UK workshops, manufacturers and industrial businesses. Long recognised for its expertise in manual metalworking machines, Excel Machine Tools has built its reputation on supplying practical, dependable equipment for workshops of all sizes.

While metalworking remains core business, the company has now broadened its offer to include woodworking machinery, welding equipment, compressed air technology, industrial cleaning solutions and wider workshop equipment. Meanwhile, the updated brand reflects the continued growth of Excel Machine Tools as a family business, combining decades of product knowledge with a wider range of solutions for today’s requirements.

More information www.excelmachinetools.co.uk

Sandvik Coromant Upgrades Tool Reconditioning

Tooling manufacturer Sandvik Coromant has upgraded its tool reconditioning service for solid round tools. To give manufacturers complete control over their reconditioning process, the upgraded service replaces a previously manual, multi-stage workflow with a streamlined, fully online experience that reduces quotation and turnaround times.

Customers simply log in, enter the tool’s product code and the quantity they wish to recondition and receive an instant quotation. This functionality enables immediate decision making and places complete control in the hands of the user. Furthermore, for the majority of markets, Sandvik Coromant covers all shipping costs, taxes and tariffs associated with the service, ensuring a smooth end-to-end experience.

More information www.bit.ly/4aJ4e9h

Potential For Nissan Sunderland to Build Chery Vehicles

Nissan and Chery International UK have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the study of Nissan to contract manufacture Chery passenger vehicles at its Sunderland plant. Under the terms of the non-binding MoU, the Sunderland facility would remain fully owned by Nissan, with the team at the plant employed by Nissan.

The MoU includes the possibility that Nissan would aim to begin manufacturing Chery passenger vehicles in financial year 2027. Massimiliano Messina, chairperson Nissan AMIEO, says: “This is an important step forward for our operations. We’re looking forward to working with Chery International UK in the coming months to finalise a position that is optimal for both companies.”

More information www.nissan.co.uk