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

The MTA has taken the decision to reschedule the MACH exhibition from January 2021 to April 2022.

With the continued uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic and local lockdowns, the MTA decided to consult with members and exhibitors who had booked a stand at MACH 2021 and gauge their opinion. The overwhelming sentiment was that in order to minimise the risks to visitors and exhibitors, and provide the best possible platform for both, the event should be moved to 4-8 April 2022.
James Selka, MTA CEO, says: “We believe that this decision is in the best interests of the industry and those who work in it. By moving MACH to April 2022, we will be able to offer a better experience for our visitors and better value for our exhibitors, rather than holding it in January 2021 with the uncertainty that could still be with us. Add to this the Government’s recent announcement of a pause to the restart of live events, and it was felt that a dateline in April 2022 was a much better option.”

For further information events@mta.org.uk

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has resumed full two-shift production at its Global Centre of Luxury Manufacturing Excellence in Goodwood, West Sussex.

The move means that the marque is now operating at pre-lockdown levels, with the workforce maintained and all manufacturing staff on site. Strict health, safety and hygiene measures remain in place, in line with the latest official guidance.

“Returning to full two-shift production is a major milestone and comes just four months after we became the first UK automotive company to restart manufacturing after lockdown,” says CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös. “It reflects the long-term strength and resilience of our business and significant worldwide demand for our products, which have been boosted further by the recent launch of our new Ghost.”

For further information www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com

Located near Nottingham City centre, Doosan Precision Engineering specialises in CNC turning; producing parts for sectors so diverse that the small business covers everything from motorsport to the food industry.

Although no relation to the Doosan machine-tool brand, the company has invested heavily in Doosan machines from Mills CNC. The company name is a culmination of the directors’ family names.

As a machine shop primarily conducting turning activities, Doosan Precision Engineering is not typically a facility where hyperMILL five-axis CAM software from Open Mind Technologies would be found.

David Booth, director at Doosan Precision Engineering, says: “We’re spending a long time setting-up some quite difficult turned parts with some very intricate set-ups to cater for difficult features. This was the reason we initially looked at hyperMILL. The prolonged set-up times were increasing our costs and we were losing work, some overseas. However, since we invested in hyperMILL we’ve managed to win this business back.
“HyperMILL has reduced our set-up times massively,” he adds. “Some parts were taking 4 to 5 hours to program and set, but the new CAM system has reduced this to as little as 30 minutes.

“We did a three-day training course at the Open Mind UK facility in Bicester, which was primarily focussed upon milling with some turning aspects. However, the system is intuitive and easy to pick up from scratch. HyperMILL will certainly pay for itself in a short period of time. Of course, we also use it for all of our milling machines.”

For further information www.openmind-tech.com

Mate Precision Technologies now offers modified standard and custom press-brake tools that supplement its range of standard hardened and precision-ground solutions.

While Mate’s standard tools fulfil the needs for most fabricating operations, bending variations may require modifying the angle of a standard punch or die by a few degrees. This alteration is easily accomplished because the induction hardening depth is 3-4 mm. As a result, material removal to modify an angle or change a radius can be achieved without jeopardising the tool’s structural integrity.

Other frequent tool modifications include cutting a window or relief pocket to provide clearance so that a formed part does not collide with the punch during the forming process. Mate offers adjustments backed by extensive experience to ensure its modified press-brake tools perform up to expectations.

When a standard or modified standard press-brake tool is not the best solution, the company’s application specialists can design a bespoke tooling solution. Frequent custom requests include forming multiple bends in one stroke to decrease manufacturing costs by increasing the number of formed parts produced per hour. A good example is a hinge curl tool that can form the curl in two or three strokes.

Mate offers an endless variety of custom press-brake tools for virtually every special bending requirement. All Mate press brake tools – standard, modified and custom – are backed by the company’s 100% customer satisfaction guarantee.
For further information www.mate.com