Editor’s Pick

Kitagawa extends work-holding options to milling

Japanese-manufactured Kitagawa rotary work-holding systems that usually find use on lathes are now available for static workholding on the table of machining centres. In the UK and Ireland, the sole agent for these YS Modular Systems is 1st Machine Tool Accessories.

The pneumatically or hydraulically operated static cylinders have multiple work-holding options for pull or push chuck actuation, and are rapid to set up for various production requirements. Cylinders with a standard mounting interface are available to actuate 6”, 8” or 10” chuck sizes.

Base units can mount side by side, depending on machine size, to facilitate multiple workpiece fixturing and automated production. The pull force is up to 20.8 kN with pneumatic actuation or 51.9 kN using low-pressure hydraulic actuation at 15 bar, with up to 20 mm of piston stroke.

Multiple standard work-holding options are available, including: three-jaw power chucks for holding prismatic workpieces; collet chucks for round, square and hex billet up to 80 mm; and expanding mandrels with a pull-back function for internal gripping of components with bores from 12 to 82 mm diameter as standard.

The low profile of the cylinders, down to just 77.5 mm in height for the 6” model, does not unduly restrict Z-axis motion, maximising the prismatic milling and drilling envelope of the respective machine. A screw-on protective cover allows unused units to remain permanently on the machine table, if desired, without fear of damage due to swarf ingress from machining at an adjacent fixture.
For further information www.1mta.com

Doors set to open at LAMIERA 2023

LAMIERA 2023 will open its doors this week (10-13 May) in Milan, Italy. As the only exhibition in Italy that focuses on the sheet metal-forming industry, LAMIERA meets high demand for machinery of this type across the country. In the 10 years from 2011 to 2021, the consumption of metal-forming machinery in Italy climbed from €704m to €1.7bn, reports the LAMIERA organiser. Italy now consumes 35% more metal-forming machine tools than Germany.

Entrance to the exhibition is free for those registering online, with opening hours extending from 09:30 to 18:00 on each day of the show, which takes place at the Fieramilano venue. LAMIERA will combine its exhibition with cultural and thematic insights developed through a programme of conferences on specific topics and side events that will host discussions with opinion leaders and experts.
For further information www.lamiera.net

Prime Minister operates XYZ lathe

A recent visit to Truro and Penwith College in Cornwallgave the Prime Minister the chance to try his hand at operating an XYZ 1330 Trainer lathe. The visit – to mark National Apprenticeship Week – was an opportunity for Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murthy to appreciate for themselves the valuable work performed by the college, which is rated as ‘outstanding’ and attracts students from across the county and wider southeast. Level 3 machining apprentice Daniel Wright, who now works for West Pharmaceutical Services, guided the Prime Minister through face-turning operations.

At the Truro site there are: 11 manual lathes; XYZ 1330 and XYZ 1530, 2 XYZ RLX 1630 CNC lathes with ProtoTRAK controls; five XYZ 2000 manual mills;one XYZ 1020 surface grinder; two RMX 2500 CNC mills with ProtoTRAK controls;and one XYZ 660 HD VMC with Siemens 828D control. A new campus in Bodmin will have: six XYZ 1330 manual lathes; three XYZ 2000 manual mills;one RMX 2500 CNC mill with ProtoTRAK control; one RLX 1630 CNC lathe with ProtoTRAK control; and one XYZ 660 HD VMC with Siemens 828D control.
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

MACH 2024 headline sponsor confirmed

Lloyds Bank has confirmed its headline sponsorship of MACH 2024 (Birmingham NEC, 15-19 April), the sixth time the bank done so. Commenting on the new deal, James Selka (photo, right),CEO at the Manufacturing Technologies Association, the organiser of MACH 2024, says:“Manufacturing is the heartbeat of the UK economy and growing a resilient manufacturing industry has never been more important. Lloyds Bank is an ideal partner for MACH as we share common goals and commitments, including sustainability across the sector.”

Dave Atkinson (photo, left), UK head of manufacturing at Lloyds Bank, adds: “Making the transition to net zero represents a significant growth opportunity for the UK economy, particularly for the manufacturing sector. However, we must invest in technology and skills to support such an ambitious change. Lloyds Bank is delighted to again sponsor MACH, the UK’s national showcase for the best in next-generation manufacturing technologies.”
For further information www.machexhibition.com

Renishaw celebrates 50 years of innovation

This year, Renishaw is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The company, which began trading on 4 April 1973, will mark this significant milestone with a year of global activities, including open house events at its largest sites, family days for employees and a ‘50 at 50′ charity initiative that will see £150,000 donated to 50 not-for-profit organisations in the 36 countries where it has offices.

The company was formed half a century ago to commercialise the invention of a touch-trigger probe by now executive chairman Sir David McMurtry, solving a dimensional measurement problem at Rolls-Royce when manufacturing Olympus engines for the supersonic Concorde aircraft. Today, Renishaw is listed on the FTSE 250 index with a current valuation around £3bn. The company employs 5200 employees in 36 countries, including 3400 staff at its sites in the UK, primarily in Gloucestershire and south Wales.
For further information www.renishaw.com