HepcoMotion is a specialist in linear motion technology, with its linear guide systems featuring V-guide technology adopted by machine designers across a range of sectors, including food processing and packaging, automotive (particularly EVs), renewable energy and medical. Continued product development and increased demand resulted in a need to invest in machine tools that would both improve productivity and enhance existing capacity. A visit to the XYZ Machine Tools stand at the MACH 2022 exhibition in April made that investment a little easier.

HepcoMotion’s engineering manager Ryan Berry was investigating improvements in the machining of ballscrews to support a new product launch, so a turning centre was on his list. While on the XYZ Machine Tools stand he was invited to fill out his details for entry into the now traditional XYZ prize draw, the winner of which would receive either the free use of a bed mill for 12 months or the option of a £10,000 discount off any machine in the XYZ range. Learning of his success in the draw, Berry chose the latter, placing an order for an XYZ CT 65 HD turning centre.

“We needed a turning centre that was capable of efficiently machining our hardened ball-screw ends, and the design of the CT 65 HD with its hardened box ways meant it would be robust enough for that work,” he says. “The machine also had the advantage of easy programming and quick changeover, making it ideal for both low- and high-volume work. We placed the order and were surprised to be advised that delivery would be within four weeks.”
For further information, www.xyzmachinetools.com

As part of its continued investment strategy, Velden Engineering has just taken delivery of a Nakamura-Tome NTY3-150 twin-spindle, three-turret turning centre from the Engineering Technology Group (ETG). The new addition will produce high-volume components beyond the size capacity of the company’s sliding-head turning centres.

Based in Bolton, Velden says it was the first UK job shop to achieve ISO9001 in 1987 and has since won a multitude of prestigious OEM contracts and awards. In 2012, the manufacturer acquired its first Nakamura-Tome turning centre, a compact WT100 twin-spindle, twin-turret machine.

The relationship with ETG blossomed and, in 2013, the company took delivery of a larger Nakamura-Tome WT150II twin-spindle, twin-turret turning centre with an upper turret Y axis after winning a new contract. Four years later, a second WT150II was planned to service an increase in demand, but with no machines available in European stock at that time, ETG loaned Velden an AS200. As it turns out, the Nakamura AS200 was perfect for certain lower volume projects with its fast set-up and programming. The result was Velden taking delivery of the second WT150II and purchasing the AS200 that had been loaned.

As part of its continuous improvement strategy, the company replaced its oldest Nakamura, the first WT100 machine that arrived almost a decade ago, with a brand new WT150II which arrived in November. The new Nakamura-Tome NTY3-150 has since followed.

“As three-turret machine, all with Y axes, the Nakamura NTY3-150 machine opens up a greater opportunity to do even more simultaneous machining,” explains Lee Valentine, plant manager at Velden. “On one specific part that we’ve transferred to the NTY3-150, we have seen a reduced cycle time of 40%.”
For further information www.engtechgroup.com

Tornos has opened its new factory in Kąty Wrocławskie, Poland. The factory was designed primarily to refurbish and modernise Tornos’ Deco 10, a flagship and best-selling bar-turning machine. By giving the Deco 10 new life as the Deco 10 Plus, Tornos highlights its heritage and know-how, while promoting the circular economy.

More than 200 invited guests took part in festivities marking the opening of the new factory in Kąty Wrocławskie. By establishing a permanent presence in Poland, Tornos is making more than a strategic choice. The new factory, located just a few minutes from Wroclaw, an important university centre, makes it easy to recruit highly competent research and innovation personnel.

The story of Tornos Poland began more than 10 years ago, with only two employees representing the brand on Polish soil. Today, Tornos Poland has more than 40 trained employees who know the machines inside out and are able to overhaul and repair them if necessary. Of course, service is about more than resolving technical issues and replacing machine parts. It includes the labour-intensive and important administrative work that Tornos’ new global Shared Services Centre is undertaking in Kąty Wrocławskie. Indeed, the Tornos Shared Services Centre provides these services to the benefit of Tornos sales companies and customers in Europe and, eventually, worldwide.

In Poland, Tornos executes its approach to industry’s circular economy. Since Tornos last year began offering its customers the opportunity to refurbish their Deco 10 machines by upgrading them to the Deco 10 Plus model in celebration of this iconic machine’s 25th anniversary, requests have been pouring in. So much so that Tornos Poland is set to expand even further in the coming months, offering staff the opportunity to train on the unique know-how of machine tool manufacturing and refurbishment.
For further information www.tornos.com