FEATURE ON CNC LATHES AND TURNING CENTRES

Zeus Engineering focuses on the future

Zeus Engineering, a precision subcontract specialist based in Airdrie, is increasing its machining capacity and capabilities by investing in a new DN Solutions VT 1100M vertical turning lathe (VTL) from Mills CNC. The machine, which incidentally, is the first CNC VTL acquired by the company in its 57-year history, arrived at Zeus Engineering’s 12,000sq ft facility in November 2022.

The machine is producing large, heavy and often awkward-shaped components, such as rings, discs, pump housings, flange couplings, bearing carriers, valves and differentials, from a range of castings, forgings and fabrications, as well as from solid billet and plate. Industries served include rail, off-road vehicle, oil and gas, power generation, food, and renewable energy.

Being part of the AGZ Group, the company can also provide its high-quality design and machining services, where appropriate, to the two other associate companies in the group: Argon Engineering and Gillrick Metalwork.

Says Scott McHutcheson, Zeus Engineering’s operations director:“We’re always looking to improve our in-house machining capacity and capabilities, and regularly review and analyse our performance to ensure we meet, and exceed, our customers’ expectations.”

The acquisition of the VT 1100M lathe means that, over the past 14 years, Zeus Engineering has invested in five new Doosan machines from Mills CNC, including two Puma series lathes.

“We have a good relationship with Mills CNC and like their proactive, value-added business approach, which to all intents and purposes, is very similar to our own,” says McHutcheson. “The Doosan machine tools they sell and support, like the VT 1000M, are reliable and deliver excellent cutting performance.”

The 32” chuck VT1100M is equipped with box guideways, a 55kW/850rpm/6385Nm spindle, a 12-station indexable turret and 11kW/3000rpm driven tooling capabilities.
For further information www.millscnc.co.uk

Metaltech doubles sliding-head lathe capacity

Located in Chard, Somerset, subcontract machining firm Metaltech Precision has increased the number of sliding-head turning centres on its shop floor from 6 to 13, of which 10 are Cincom models from Citizen Machinery UK. It follows the purchase by the company’s owner, Expromet Technologies Group, of another subcontractor nearby, NC Precision, which specialised in this area of production.

The latest sliding-head lathe arrived in September 2022 having originally been ordered by NC Precision. It is a Cincom L32XIILFV capable of turning parts from bar up to 35 mm diameter. Notably, the machine features LFV (low-frequency vibration) functionality, which automatically breaks swarf into chips of manageable size that fall away from the machining area for easy extraction.

Steven Ward, operations manager at Metaltech, says: “We were already familiar with and impressed by LFV, having installed a smaller CincomL20XIILFV four years ago to simplify the production of a particularly difficult component.The ongoing job involves machining a tough, malleable iron that has a high tendency to cause bird’s-nesting when turned, but LFV completely solves the problem by allowing the control of chipping.

“It means that we are able to leave the lathe running unattended for long periods, whereas before an operator needed to be in attendance virtually all the time to constantly clear away the swarf,” he adds. “This labour cost element, which has now been removed, was contrary to the whole concept of bar turning, yet was necessary to maintain consistency of production and minimise scrap.”

The purchase of the second LFV lathe last autumn, with its chip-breaking function, facilitates more options for fulfilling contracts that may come along involving titanium, nickel alloys or other metals that tend to result in stringy swarf.
For further information www.citizenmachinery.co.uk

Subcontractor on a roll with Nakamura machines

As a subcontractor with a distinct niche in thread rolling, Dobson & Beaumont has been in business for more than 100 years. As well as machining nuts, the company cold-forms bolts and special fittings to work harden the thread, thus improving overall thread strength by more than 25% when compared to typical thread-cutting operations. Before rolling, the Blackburn-based company machines some of the most daunting materials known to the industry, which is why the company purchased a Nakamura-Tome AS200LMSY, followed by a Nakamura SC100X2, from the Engineering Technology Group (ETG).

Installed and running at the end of 2022, the SC100X2 is already reducing cycle times by upward of 30%. This is credit to several factors. Firstly, the new SC100X2 offers superimposed machining.

“Superimposed machining is a game-changer for our business, as we can now hit parts with two tools simultaneously by overlapping operations between main and sub-spindles,” explains Richard Guest, managing director of Dobson & Beaumont.“This has reduced cycle times noticeably already. On high-value motorsport studs, we have cut the cycle time from 3 minutes to 1minute 30 seconds.”

The sub-spindle can move not only toward the main spindle for component pick-up, but also in synchronicity with the lower turret for machining operations that can take place while the upper turret is machining on the main spindle.

“We machine hard materials such as MP35N and AERMET 100, which has a tensile strength of 1900 Pa,” says Guest.“Before the arrival of the SC100X2, we had to sub many of these parts out, which added 2-3 weeks to our lead time. Now, we can machine in-house and keep lead times to just days while eliminating additional subcontract costs.”
For further information www.engtechgroup.com

Technoset upgrades with new Tornos Gamma 20

Technoset continually invests in its operations to ensure the company always has the latest equipment to improve operations, an ethos exemplified by its recent investment in a new Tornos Gamma 20. The company says that this Swiss-type lathe delivers precision and speed for complex machining and is ideal for high-volume production.

The main benefits of the Tornos machine are that it can perform many operations simultaneously, enabling high-volume throughput with no drop in the quality of finish. Notably, the liquid-cooled spindle can run up to 10,000rpm, delivering high levels ofprecision. According to Technoset, the Tornos is also built to last, delivering the same consistent results time after time – an essential trait for a companythat insists on a consistently high level of quality for its customers.

Technoset’s newTornos machine is capable of performing many different operations, supporting the fast production of complex components. Combined with Technoset’s other machines, the investment will allow the company to reduce lead times and offer an even better service.

While the machine is highly advanced and delivers elevated levels of performance, the Tornos Gamma 20 is also energy-efficient and low maintenance. These attributes bring down overall production costs for customers and enables Technoset to offer a wider range of services, at excellent value.

Technoset says it is always investing in its facilities with the addition of new technology. As a case in point, another recent arrival is a new Miyano ABX51/64 fixed-head turning centre.
For further information ww.techno-group.co.uk

Iemca adds third Maestro barfeed to range

A manufacturer of automatic barfeeds for CNC lathes, Italy-based Iemca, is adding a third model to its Maestro range. All are designed to maximise productivity on fixed-head lathes and offer unattended production around the clock. They are available in the UK and Ireland through sole agent 1st Machine Tool Accessories.

The two existing models can handle round stock up to 100 mm diameter. Both are capable of bar changeover in 31 seconds, as is the new Maestro 52, which is for smaller lathes running material up to 51 mm diameter, 42 mm hex and 36 mm square. It is possible to load bars up to 4.2 m in length to a maximum combined weight of 100 kg.

There are numerous interesting design features incorporated into the new barfeed, three of whichcarry patents. One protects ABACOS (Adaptive BAr COntrol System), a self-adjusting bar clamping arrangement designed to guide the material, damp vibrations and tighten on the pusher, all without changing the guide channel.

Another patented feature, the Vibra-Damp collet with interchangeable inserts avoids vibration. The collet restricts bar oscillation byreducing their amplitude and lowering bending and torsional stresses on the bar. The third patent concerns the HandyLoq quick-change collet system, which allows manual exchange within three seconds without the need to use tools.

Additional advantages of all Maestro bar feeders are Industry 4.0 data sharing as an option, and a choice of bar loading systems including an UP magazine that allows the presentation of material at an ergonomic height.
For further information www.1mta.com