To continue providing customers in the CNC machining industry with vital data that helps realise the benefits of Industry 4.0, Renishaw has become a member of the umati community, which will complement its existing role on the standards committee of MTConnect. As an active member of both communities, Renishaw will support the development of common language standardisation for machine tools by publishing process measurement and part quality data.
The universal machine technology interface (umati) is an open standard backed by the German Machine Tool Builders’ Association (VDW) and the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA). Members of both organisations worked together in the development of a common information model, based on the OPC UA protocol, to simplify connectivity between equipment and software, and control data exchange between different machines.

For further information
www.renishaw.com

Following consultation with Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre, and the venue’s welcome assistance and understanding, the organiser of Southern Manufacturing has rescheduled the show to take place as a two-day autumn special on 6-7 October 2021. This date diverges from the event’s regular slot in February to avoid conflicting with other events postponed from 2020.

The show’s organiser also makes it clear that Southern Manufacturing will return to its usual position in the calendar in 2022, on 8-10 February. A statement reads that the organising team “believes this decision will enable the market as a whole to benefit under more favourable economic and social circumstances”.

For further information
www.industrysouth.co.uk

For machine-tool makers, achieving manufacturing efficiency depends on fast and accurate quality-control processes. With traditional error testing methods beginning to hinder operations, Takam Machinery recently turned to Renishaw’s XK10 alignment laser system to deliver precision, efficiency and speed.

In an increasingly competitive global market, the more traditional methods of identifying potential geometric and rotational errors, including granite squares, dial gauges and autocollimators, were impeding Takam’s manufacturing and quality-control processes.

To resolve the inefficiencies and inconsistencies from a range of traditional error-measurement tools, Takam is benefiting from Renishaw’s XK10 alignment laser system. An all-in-one digital measurement solution suitable for a range of different CNC machine tools, the XK10 comprises: a launch unit for primary laser transmission; wireless transmitter and receiver units; a portable display unit; and a fixturing kit. An additional kit allows users to carry out parallelism measurements.

The XK10’s compact size, wireless connectivity and versatile fixturing means it is suitable for use in many different configurations, enabling error measurement across all types and sizes of machine tool. It can check that linear rails are straight, square, flat, parallel and level, and check spindles and chucks to assess the direction and coaxial correctness of rotary machines.
Huang Zhifeng, factory manager at Takam, says: “The system has increased overall testing efficiency by at least a factor of three compared with previous traditional testing tools. For example, we needed two operators working for more than four hours just to measure the linearity, flatness, verticality and parallelism of a 20 m gantry-type machining centre. But since we brought in the XK10, a single operator can complete the process in less than two hours, so the workforce can be allocated far more flexibly than before.”

For further information
www.renishaw.com

Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of Doosan machine tools in the UK and Ireland, has opened a state-of-the-art ‘Turnkey & Automation Centre’ at its campus facility in Leamington. The facility gives Mills a dedicated area to demonstrate its latest industrial and collaborative robot (cobot) automation solutions, and provides a focal point for the company’s successful turnkey and process improvement business which, over the past few years, has grown exponentially.

Says Tony Dale, Mills CNC’s technical director: “More and more manufacturers, as a route to improving their productivity and increasing their efficiency and effectiveness, are taking a much more holistic and comprehensive view of their manufacturing operations. And, rather than just acquiring a new machine to increase capacity, they are investing in turnkey solutions, many of which include advanced automation systems.”

For further information www.millscnc.co.uk

After extensive liaison with the Welsh Government, TVR says its Ebbw Vale factory renovation and enhancement programme has received the green light, and that preliminary site works will begin in mid-January. Jones Brothers (Henllan) Ltd is the principal contractor for a significant programme of works that include replacement of the main building’s roof, recladding of the building’s exterior, extensive groundworks and preparation of a prototype build area at the side of the intended main production space.

Les Edgar, chairman of TVR says: “This is a fantastic milestone in our mission to rejuvenate an iconic British brand, and we are all excited to witness the renovation of our new home in Ebbw Vale. We have hundreds of faithful depositors worldwide who are patiently waiting to take delivery of their Griffiths. Our partners at the Welsh Government have shown stoic support and I must extend my personal thanks to all those who share our vision of helping develop a sustainable automotive sector in south Wales.”

For further information
www.tvr.co.uk