Designed to reduce set-up times on lathes, the new BR-series of three-jaw chucks from Japanese firm Kitagawa provides a gripping accuracy of 0.01 mm TIR (total indicator reading) or less when using optional T-Nuts Plus jaws. The repeatability of jaw exchange is within the same tolerance, even on the largest chuck. BR-series chucks come in 6, 8, 10 and 12” versions, and are available in the UK and Ireland through sole agent 1st Machine Tool Accessories.

BR chucks are now Kitagawa’s standard offering and are interchangeable with its B-series and the large through-hole BB-series, which are both superseded. The TIR of these ranges was only guaranteed to within 0.02 mm.

Due to a new base jaw design and lower jaw lift, gripping forces at the maximum rotational speed of the chucks are now 10-15% greater to enable better metal removal rates. Kitagawa has maintained high spindle speeds throughout the range to enhance the surface finish of turned components.
On twin-spindle chucking lathes, which are becoming ever-more prevalent in turning shops, the better rotational accuracy of the workpiece allows more precise synchronous transfer from the main to the counter spindle for second-operation machining. Gripping force is up to 153 kN for the 12” chuck, while maximum rotational speed, attainable on the 6” model, is 6000 rpm.
Every chuck includes a QR code on the side to allow the download of product data.

For further information www.1mta.com/product/br-series

ELE Advanced Technologies is a company with an aerospace pedigree that dates back to 1955 when Earby Light Engineers (ELE) was founded to manufacture compressor blades for Rolls-Royce. In the 65 years since, the Colne-based company has expanded its scope by targeting the aerospace, power generation and automotive sectors.

In the last decade, ELE Advanced Technologies has invested heavily in production equipment for the manufacture of IGT, aerospace and automotive power-generation parts, such as blades, vanes and a complete range of turbine components. Part of this investment has included the installation of three Kitamura machining centres, with the latest model arriving from Dugard at the start of April, during the COVID-19 lockdown. The Kitamura Mycenter HX500iG/630 is an identical model and specification to another that was installed in 2017.

ELE’s technical director David Dudley says: “The reason we bought the third machine is that the process from the other two Kitamuras is so repeatable. We wanted a machine that we could plug in and just start making components that will conform to specification perfectly.”

Alluding to the Mycenter HX500iG/630 and the qualities it possesses to machine components at ELE Advanced Technologies, he adds: “The parts we are making on the Kitamura machines are being installed on an IGT engine and are manufactured from exotic alloys like Nimonic. These components have very tight tolerances and the materials are very difficult to machine. With the Kitamura machines, you can load a part, machine it and then be confident that when you put it on the CMM everything will be 100% correct.”

For further information
www.dugard.com

DMG Mori will manufacture all machines in a completely climate-neutral manner – from raw materials to delivery – beginning in 2021. Christian Thönes, chairman of DMG Mori, says: “This move makes DMG Mori one of the first industrial companies worldwide to have a climate-neutral ‘product carbon footprint’.”

Since May 2020, the ‘company carbon footprint’ of DMG Mori, which covers its own value creation, has been climate-neutral. The company avoids emissions in all areas, among others through modern heating, ventilation and cooling concepts. At the same time, DMG Mori uses self-generated regenerative energy and purchases exclusively green electricity at almost all locations. The remaining CO2 emissions that the company has been unable to avoid thus far, are compensated by investments in sustainable, certified climate protection projects.

For further information www.dmgmori.com

Ahead of its opening in Q1 2021, the Digital Manufacturing Centre (DMC) has purchased two Renishaw RenAM 500Q additive-manufacturing machines.

The machines were chosen to increase efficiencies and quality, while reducing each part’s weight, waste and costs. Silverstone-based DMC has also entered a joint development collaboration with Renishaw’s additive-manufacturing team.

“The process of machine and material selection for the Digital Manufacturing Centre is crucial to our success and was not therefore a decision we took lightly,” states Kieron Salter, CEO. “Offering the service of being a technology partner to our clients means that we have to be armed with state-of-the-art, innovative additive-manufacturing methods and machinery.”

For further information
www.digitalmanufacturingcentre.com

Big Kaiser has significantly expanded its range of turning tools with multiple new tool-holder dimensions and extensive new lines of indexable inserts.

UK availability is via Industrial Tooling Corporation (ITC).

In response to customer feedback, Big Kaiser has launched new C4 and C8 size extensions, a Type F turning tool holder and a range of indexable turning tool inserts.
The new Big Kaiser Lathe Master eliminates the need for trial cutting and reduces set-up times on NC lathes. With an LED light that indicates when the tip of the tool touches the sensor plate of the Lathe Master, the new system provides convenient visual guidance for the machine operator. Suitable for external, internal and face-turning applications, Lathe Master is available in both 15 and 30 mm diameter configurations. Repeatability is ±2 μm.

Another addition to the Big Kaiser product line is the new Weldon adapter: a surface-mounted chuck now offered in size C8. Also, Big Kaiser has expanded its family of Big Capto tool holders with a C4 size. C4 is becoming increasingly popular as a quick-change tooling system for lathes and turning centres with a turret configuration. The Big Capto C4 is now offered for both rotating tool holders and turning tools for lathes.

Marco Siragna, head of product management at Big Kaiser, says: “These new turning-tool additions provide customers with a ‘one-stop shop’ for perfectly compatible components enabling more applications, better results and significantly higher efficiency.”

For further information
www.itc-ltd.co.uk