Editor’s Pick

GEWEFA’S SUPPLY OF TOOL HOLDERS TO HURCO SURPASSES TWO DECADES

An alliance of more than 20 years has existed between machine tool provider Hurco Europe
and tool-holding equipment supplier Gewefa UK. The company has been a perennial
participant at the annual Hurco open houses held in its High Wycombe showroom and
technical centre, along with about a dozen other supplier firms promoting everything from
cutting tools to metrology, work holding to fire suppression, finance to CADCAM software.
David Waghorn, managing director of Hurco Europe, says: “I regard our association with
Gewefa UK over the years as a partnership rather than a supplier arrangement. About 20%
of the machining centres we supply to customers include back-end tooling packages and
three-quarters of those are sourced from Gewefa UK.”
He goes on to explain that the remainder of the back-ends are mainly Hurco’s own tool
holders, which are suitable for entry-level, lower-spindle-speed applications. For Hurco
machines that offer higher spindle speeds, generally from 12,000 to 18,000 rpm – especially
Hurco five-axis models in the SRT, SW, VC and U series – Gewefa UK is the preferred tool-
holder supplier and a majority of machines are shipped with its products.
“One Hurco machining centre, our three-axis VM10HSi, which is now fitted with an HSK-40
interface rather than the previous BT30, is offered with a 30,000 rpm spindle and it’s
difficult to imagine it being delivered with anything other than holders from Gewefa UK,”
says Waghorn.
The reasons for adhering to this supplier are many. Waghorn asserts that the quality-price
ratio of the tool holders is equivalent to that of the machines Hurco supplies and that the
holders are positioned towards the upper end of the market in terms of their functionality.
Gewefa UK has in its portfolio a vast range of BT and CAT 30, 40 and 50 holder options. Its
HSK and DIN equivalents suit any requirement and the company is willing to tailor its
standard tooling packages to suit end-user needs.
For example, collet holders will frequently be swapped out for other varieties, such as a
side-lock (Weldon) type, or a shrink-fit or hydraulic holder with through-coolant or air
delivery, both of which are designed for high tool grip, vibration damping and repeatable
accuracy. Likewise, special extended holders are often supplied. All tool holders are
dynamically balanced as standard, with those destined for high-speed machining receiving
an additional, higher-grade precision balance.

Once the content of a typically 14- to 24-piece Gewefa tooling package for prismatic
machining has been established, consistent with the type of work generally carried out by
the OEM or subcontractor (from fairly open tolerance up to extremely tight tolerance),
delivery is described by Waghorn as prompt. Perhaps more importantly, the aftersales
service provided by Gewefa UK to Hurco customers to provide any additional tooling is also
timely, as well as comprehensive.
In the case of the fixed-head turn-milling machines that Hurco supplies, the relationship
with Gewefa UK is somewhat different. More than 90% of driven-tool Hurco lathes, whether
they have a VDI or BMT turret, are delivered with a tooling package from EWS Weigele in
Germany, one of six European tooling product manufacturers represented in the UK
exclusively by Gewefa UK under sole agency agreements.
The Gewefa Varia.VX range of tool holders with dual face and taper fit was introduced a few
years ago for the rapid exchange of driven tools in lathes. It has proved popular with users
of Hurco turning machines due to its rigidity, reliability and accuracy, and the good surface
finish achievable on machined components. Recently, for exchanging static turning tools
quickly and easily, the compatible Varia.VXT quick-change system was launched and these
tool holders are also offered by Hurco.
Another new introduction, this time by Gewefa UK itself, is the M96 and M96+ hydraulic
adapter range for live tooling, which converts ER-driven toolholders into inexpensive
hydraulic chucks. The innovation avoids the limited clamping force, runout issues and
lengthy tool change times associated with mechanical ER holders, while also damping
vibration and extending tool life.
The co-operation between Hurco and Gewefa UK goes even deeper. Another of Gewefa
UK’s sole agency sales agreements is with German firm OTT-Jakob Spanntechnik, which
manufactures drawbars used in the construction of Hurco machining centres.
An additional German company that has appointed Gewefa UK to sell its products in the UK
exclusively is Rineck Werkzeugtechnik, whose tool-holder shrink-fit machines are sold by
Hurco, as are the angle heads and speeders produced by Swiss firm Pibomulti, which has a
similar exclusive agreement with Gewefa UK.
The firm’s managing director Nicole Lloyd-Foxe says: “The long-standing partnership we’ve
had with Hurco Europe is based on mutual support. We’ve developed tooling packages over
the years that not only meet their customers’ requirements but are also flexible enough to
be tailored to suit the end user’s needs.
“It’s a perfect example of our ability to deliver comprehensive, bespoke equipment
packages from a single source and provide support to machine sellers in the UK and Ireland.

We offer not just back-ends and other tool-holding products, but also ancillary equipment
such as tooling trolleys, all at a competitive price.
“Additional offerings include OTT-Jakob Power-Check milling spindle pull-in force
monitoring devices for predicting when preventive maintenance will be needed, and EWS
Varia Clean for maintaining tool concentricity and optimising the lifetime and performance
of the lathe tool holders.
Waghorn concludes: “Our continued use of products from Gewefa UK is not just down to
the flexibility provided by their ability to deliver a huge breadth of tool-holding products. It’s
also due to the knowledge that the supplier brings to bear to address customer tool-holding
requirements, even those that many potential suppliers would find intractable, and to keep
them running reliably for the duration of their service lives.”
More information www.gewefa.co.uk

MACH 2026: Visitor Registration Now Live

In just over four months, the MACH 2026 exhibition will open its doors at the NEC, Birmingham to over 30,000 members of the manufacturing community – bringing together buyers, sellers, specifiers and designers. The biennial event offers an unmissable opportunity to experience new technology live and in action and is perfectly timed for UK manufacturers preparing for growth in capacity and capability. 

Registration is now open for the show, owned and organised by the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) and sponsored by Lloyds, which is the UK’s largest for inspiring, innovating and connecting the manufacturing community. It is due to take place across five halls of the NEC from 20 to 24 April 2026. All aspects of manufacturing technology will be on display.More information www.machexhibition.com

XYZ MACHINES PROVING TO BE A LIFE SAVER IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE

For Stafford Engineering Services, the manufacture of special bracketry for mounting life-saving
defibrillators and life monitoring equipment within ambulances has become an increasingly
important part of business. According to company director Shaun Watkin, making the right
investment in machinery has proven to be not only a game changer, but “a world changer”.
When the business was approached to develop a system of mounting life-saving equipment in a
vehicle transporting critically ill patients to hospital by Staffordshire Ambulance Service, Watkin
developed a secure bracket system that not only supported the device during transit but facilitated
easy release for carrying by the crew to the patient’s location.
“We were keen to get involved in the project and knew that the system design had to be robust –
the defibrillators and other life-saving equipment are not light,” he says. “We also had to think
carefully about how it disconnected from the bracket so that it didn’t fall forward, causing issues for
the crew when lifting it away. Our initial designs were not just about drawings, there was a fair
amount of ‘does this feel right’ when mounting and unloading the system.”
Early versions of the bracket components were manufactured by a third party, but when Watkin was
given the opportunity to buy the XYZ Pro 3000 that the subcontractor was using to make the parts,
he jumped at the chance.
“The purchase of this turret mill style machine with ProtoTRAK CNC gave us the ability to make
design changes quicker and easier – and it helped to save the life of the business. Without that
machine, we could not have developed and manufactured the bracket components of those early
mounting systems.”
As the system was accepted, working closely with a defibrillator manufacturer meant doors were
opening all around the country. It was during this period that the Scottish ambulance service had a
requirement for a mounting device, prompting Watkin to make further investment to keep pace
with demand.
“With volumes increasing, we had to look at adding to the Pro 3000 as a CNC machining capability.
We looked long and hard at several suppliers but made the decision to purchase XYZ’s LPM
machines. These lean production machines were perfect was this work, particularly with their tool-
changing capability and increased performance over a turret mill style machine. The ProtoTRAK
control, with its conversational software, allowed me to start manufacturing within a day of
installation.”
With 21 years of manufacturing the brackets under its belt, demand is still increasing at Stafford
Precision Engineering, which has led to further investment in XYZ products. When Queensland
Ambulance Services in Australia came knocking on the door, Watkin had to think long and hard
about how he was going to increase production from 100 systems a month to 400. After talking with

XYZ about his conundrum, the decision was taken to invest in a new TMC 1600 vertical machining
centre and a CT 65 HD turning centre.
When questioned why these were the machines of choice, he states: “The 1600 TMC, with its table
size of 1660 x 660 mm, created the possibility to mount more parts on the table at once, therefore
reducing the number of times we had to load/unload parts. The 1600 mm X-axis travel, along with
650 mm in Y, backed up our theory.”
The increase in spindle power over Stafford Precision Engineering’s current machines was also a key
point in Watkin’s decision making. With 11 KW available and deciding to go with the 12,000 rpm
option with through-spindle coolant, cutting performance has greatly increased.
“We’re now profiling the aluminium parts at 6 to 7 m/min feed rate, greatly reducing cycle time,” he
adds. “With 20 BT40 tools in the carousel available we can leave more tools set up and reduce the
number of times we have to exchange the tools in the machine. Of course, the new ProtoTRAK RMX
15” touchscreen control has allowed us to use existing programs but, on some parts, it has been
beneficial to undertake re-programming. This has allowed to us to use some of the new features
available, such as ‘clear off’ to remove material from the outside of the part. With the TMC 1600
installed, we’ve seen production of the base plates go from one every half hour to 10 in two hours”.
The addition of the CT 65 HD turning centre to the company has accelerated the production of the
feet used to secure the defibrillators to the mounting bracket.
When asked about the turning capacity, Watkin says: “We have a Proturn lathe that we have used
for these items in the past, but again volumes dictated that we needed a more automated system.
The CT65HD, with its 12-station VDI turret and 65 mm bar capacity, has slotted into our production
capability perfectly.
He continues: “The transition to a Siemens 828D control with the Shopturn software has been easy
due to its conversation style of programming, while the addition of the LNS barfeed now means we
can leave the lathe unattended and use our operatives to do other work. Due to the material we use
to manufacture the feet, the 4000-rpm spindle speed has allowed us to get great finishes and reduce
cycle times.”
With new designs required by the company’s existing customer base and other medical device
manufacturers coming on board, there appears to be no let up for the 11 XYZ machines at Stafford
Engineering Services.
Watkin closes by stating: “The support from XYZ for my machines has been excellent. Whether it’s
programming or service support, they are quick to respond. We have our machines regularly
serviced by the team at XYZ and this ensures when demand is at its greatest, like with the recent
Queensland order, there are no unexpected surprises for us and we can deliver on time”.
More information www.xyzmachinetools.com

End-of-Year Open House at Hurco

Hurco’s annual end-of-year open house exhibition will be held this year at its High Wycombe showroom on 2 and 3 December 2025, from 08:30 to 16:30 each day. Lunch will be provided, as well as refreshments throughout the event. In addition to a showroom full of new Hurco CNC machine tools under power and cutting metal, there is the added attraction of up to 19 primary Hurco suppliers in attendance.

Taking centre stage this year will be four different five-axis machining centre configurations, allowing visitors to compare the benefits and limitations of each option: a three-axis VMX60Ti  with Kitagawa TT182 rotary-tilt table; the cantilever-design VC500i; the swivel-head VMX42SRTi; and a VMX30Ui trunnion machine fully automated with a Hurco ProCobot ProFeeder-X, 10-drawer, heavy-duty system.

Register at www.hurco.com

Stewart Lane Named New MTA President

The Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA), the UK’s leading trade body for the
manufacturing technology sector, has appointed Stewart Lane, Renishaw’s head of EMEA
business development, as its new president. A proven leader for the manufacturing sector,
Lane brings a wealth of technical expertise, commercial insight and industry experience to
the role. 
With a degree in manufacturing systems engineering and 25 years of experience at
Renishaw, Lane has held a wide range of roles at the global FTSE250 engineering business.
He also spent several years working within quality and management functions for a number
of French and Swedish industrial businesses and speaks both languages fluently.
More information www.mta.org.uk