When approached by one of the UK’s leading thermoforming toolmakers with a request to increase the Z axis on one of its vertical machining centres by 1000 mm, XYZ Machine Tools was not in the least bit daunted.

By reconfiguring the machine using a specially designed riser block, XYZ managed to increase the standard minimum spindle nose to table dimension of 100 mm, taking it to 1050 mm, while maintaining the standard Z-axis travel to give a range of 1050 to 1550 mm from spindle to table. These changes were achieved in a short period of time, with the modification being accommodated within new guarding and sheet-metal work designed by XYZ.
With the build complete, the machine was put through the standard testing procedure undergone by every XYZ Machine before despatch, which includes the Renishaw Ballbar test. Once testing was complete, the customer was happy to take delivery straightaway. The machine was shipped on 24 April.
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

With the coronavirus causing so much uncertainty in the marketplace, many companies are understandably hesitant to invest in new machinery right now, even if they have a legitimate need. With this thought in mind, CNC machine-tool distributor Ward Hi-Tech has re-launched its ‘Confidence Package’, a simple rental scheme that enables users to lease a new CNC lathe or machining centre on a short or long-term basis. The machine can be purchased outright at the end of the rental period (with the rentals taken as a deposit) or simply returned, thus taking away the worry of long-term commitment.

Ward Hi-Tech business manager, Paul Eaton, says: “We’re extremely sympathetic to the dilemma that many customers find themselves in at the moment. They may be busy themselves, or with the manufacture of parts to help fight the virus, but with all the gloomy news they may lack the confidence to invest in a new machine tool right now, even if it appears sensible to do so.”
By taking advantage of the Ward Hi-Tech Confidence Package, any manufacturer with a current machine-tool requirement can select a new CNC lathe or machining centre from the company’s large showroom stock and decide which rental period best suits their needs. A varied stock of CNC lathes and machining centres is available, including lathes with chuck sizes from 8” to 32”, and vertical machining centres offering X-axis travel dimensions from 720 to 2600 mm.
Ward Hi-Tech is also able to provide outright purchase funding packages, utilising the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme. The scheme includes 12 months’ interest contribution and no personal guarantees up to an investment of £250,000.
For further information
0114 2560333
pauleaton@wardhitech.co.uk
mikeburke@wardhitech.co.uk

The switch from sign making to producing face masks at Swansea-based Valley Group arrived when Richard Dawson, a director of the company received a telephone call from a lifelong friend and well-respected doctor and clinical lead at the Hywel Dda University Health Board, who said its existing supplier of face masks had exhausted its capacity, leaving 10,000+ staff in desperate need of protection.

One critical factor for Valley Group was the cutting of 0.5 mm thick PETG face visors, which had to be free from burrs and sharp edges. However, the company has been a customer of ITC for more than a decade, so when it came to cutting thin plastic sheets on its Biesse Klever routing machine, ITC recommended the Clearcut 180 series of solid-carbide, single-flute, down-cut routing tools. Valley Group’s router runs at 24,000 rpm with a feed rate of 10 m/min. With demand rising, the company is aiming to start a second shift so it can increase production from 700 to 1400 masks per day.
For further information www.itc-ltd.co.uk

Rileys Surface World is proud to have supported the VentilatorChallengeUK Consortium with the delivery of two machines critical to the manufacture of ventilators for the fight against Covid-19.

Rolls Royce PLC and GKN Aerospace each have a Kerry Microsolve 250M Ultrasonic Cleaning Machine delivered to their design & manufacturing plants in Filton (Bristol, UK) and Cowes (Isle of Wight, UK), supplied by Riley Surface World.

These quality machines use ultrasonic frequencies to clean parts to a very high specification, essential to parts used in the manufacture of ventilators for medical use.

Many of the consortium members are long term customers and the trust earnt by Rileys Surface World has played a significant role in ensuring rapid delivery of these machines.

“We really appreciate all the stops you’ve pulled out for us on this”
Martin Williams – Chief Industrialisation Engineer – Rolls Royce UK

“I couldn’t be happier. This will make a world of difference to our production flow. I am very thankful”
Glyn Lavell ChPP| Programme Manager, GKN Aerospace UK

Riley Surface World’s strengths come to fore
The supply of these machines demonstrates the strength of Riley’s team even in these difficult times.

The first used Kerry 250M was available from stock in our 5,000m2 warehouse having been bought from Thales UK in January to ensure availability of these popular machines.

This machine has been supplied refurbished by our in-house engineering team in conjunction with long term partner CRV controls. A range of critical spares, commissioning and training is also being supplied alongside our guarantee to confirm Riley’s commitment to supporting the consortium and the NHS.

The second used Kerry 250M machine was sourced from Riley’s industry network as soon as a need was identified across the VentilatorChallengeUK Consortium. Once found Riley’s moved quickly to place the machine with GKN Aerospace over just one weekend.

Riley Surface World must thank our key partners in recognising the importance of these machines and supporting their rapid delivery. CRV Controls has provided engineering support and on-site commissioning and training. Our hauliers have also been excellent support responding same day because of the speed of delivery of this project.

UK manufacturing gearing up the NHS up for Covid-19 challenge
The VentilatorChallengeUK consortium includes leading UK industrial, technology and engineering businesses from across the aerospace, automotive and medical sectors such as Airbus, BAE, Ford, GKN, Rolls Royce, Thales and McLaren F1.

The consortium has come together to produce medical ventilators for the UK. The UK Government has placed orders for ventilators to be delivered as soon as possible and the consortium is making rapid progress.

Ventilators are essential to the NHS and the consortium is supporting existing suppliers to expand production and adding new Rapidly Manufactured Ventilator Systems to the supply chain.

You can contact Riley Surface World to discuss your machinery needs.
Tel: +44 (0) 1922 458000, Email: ben@rileysurfaceworld.co.uk
For further details of the VentilatorChallengeUK Consortium please review www.ventilatorchallengeuk.com

Techgrave, which provides bespoke industrial engraving and tool making to a diverse range of customers, has invested heavily in CNC engraving, laser, reverse engineering, CADCAM and, most recently, its tool-room capabilities.

The latest investment has seen the arrival of an XYZ MiniMill 560 HD vertical machining centre, an XYZ SLX355 ProTurn lathe, an XYZ KMX 1500 turret mill and an XYZ surface grinder from XYZ Machine Tools.
“The XYZ machines give us total control over manufacture of die and press-tool blanks, collars, and die holders, along with the knowledge that we can guarantee 100% conformity across our entire manufacturing process,” says co-founder Dillon Evitts. “When we budgeted for the machines, we were happy that producing our own work would cover their costs, so had no desire to fill any spare capacity. However, as word got out, we began to receive inquiries from existing customers for tool-room work.”
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com