FEATURE ON CNC LATHES AND TURNING CENTRES

Ward Hi-Tech reports successful end to 2023

Machine tool supplier Ward Hi-Tech says that November and December 2023 saw the company conclude several significant projects, taking orders for a number of large-frame machines from principals Hwacheon, Kiheung, SFM and Dah Lih. For instance, two Hwacheon Hi Tech 850LYMC heavy-duty turning centres were sold to a large subcontractor in the north of England, while a Midlands-based manufacturer placed an order for a 5 m between centres x 1800mm swing CNC lathe from SFM.

The Hwacheon Hi Tech 850 series of horizontal lathes with box guideways are suitable for large and hard workpieces. With the Hi-Tech 850, userscan master demanding machining tasks which require milling and turning operations, thanks largely to the large and stable tool turret and monolithic machine bed.

The machine bed, which is slanted at 45°, supports optimal swarf removal and reduced heat input. For a maximum degree of stability and precision, all linear axes are provided with box guideways. Due to the main spindle’s transmission gearbox, the Hi-Tech 850 also provides very high torque at lower speeds. High-power machining is equally possible at higher speeds. The optional Y axis allows users to deal with particularly complex workpiece geometries.

Ward Hi-Tech also reports that the year ended on a high with two double-column Dah Lih machining centres sold in the northwest and a Kiheung U1200N CNC universal bed mill with 3 m X-axis travel delivered to a local manufacturer in Yorkshire.

The Kiheung U1200N bed-type mill offers an X axis from 2100 to 5000 mm, a 1250 mm Y axis and a Z axis from 1050 to 2000 mm. Storage for 24, 30, 40 or 50 tools is available.

Ward Hi-Tech says it moves into 2024 with several large projects on the boil.

For further information www.wardhitech.co.uk

WFL strengthens its UK and Ireland markets

WFL Millturn Technologies says it has been the innovation and technology leader in the field of complete machining for many years. The company has sales offices and representatives all around the globe to serve its customers. The UK has always been a very important market for WFL, especially in the aerospace industry. To guarantee the best possible service, continuous and consistent customer support in all market-relevant regions is vital for the company. Now, after many years of successful co-operation with esteemed partners in the UK, WFL Millturn Technologies is announcing the establishment of WFL Millturn Technologies UK Ltd.

WFL and Kyal Machine Tools have been working together for over a decade, ensuring that customers in the UK receive first-class service. The combination of Kyal Machine Tools’ in-house expertise and WFL’s technical expertise delivers the desired production solutions and provides customers with high levels of service and support. The transfer encompasses Kyal employees and, in turn, maintains all valuable UK business relationships.


This strategic decision aligns with WFL’s global expansion strategy and fortifies its UK market presence, ultimately benefiting customers. The transfer of the WFL business from Kyal to WFL UK became effective in November 2023. Steve Malone becomes the general manager and sales manager for the UK and Ireland.

WFL currently has 20 different MILLTURN models. With turning lengths from 1000 to 14,000mm and turning diameters from 520 to 2000mm, users can perform the complete machining of an extensive range of workpieces. Almost all MILLTURN models are also available as a counter spindle variant.

For further information office@wfl-uk.net

You Ji vertical lathe in situ at TDT Machine Tools

A new You Ji VTL1600ATC+C vertical lathe is now in situ at TDT Machine Tools. From the world’s largest producer of large-capacity vertical lathes, theVTL1600ATC+C made an epic journey fromYou Ji in Taiwan to West Yorkshire.

In an era where precision meets power, the eagerly awaited arrival of the You Ji VTL1600ATC+C vertical lathe sent waves of excitement through TDT. Arriving on four lorries with a wide-loadescort, the new addition replaced an old Dörries machine and brings new turn-mill strategies to the manufacturing process. According to TDT, the robust design, heavyweight performance and unparalleled capabilities support the adoption of new machining methods and tooling that users can push to the limit.

The You Ji YV and VTL series of vertical ram-type turning lathes are built for large, heavy part machining with tables ranging from 600 to 4500mm diameter. These vertical lathes feature a heavy Meehanite cast iron construction, rigid, extra-large box ways, and large diameter pre-tensioned ballscrews. All mating surfaces are coated with Turcite-B and hand scraped for perfect fit and alignment.

Both the YV and VTL series machines feature Timken cross-roller table bearings for rigidity and precision. High-power spindle motors coupled with ZF planetary gearboxes provide high torque for heavy metal removal.

VTL series machines are available in table sizes from 1000 to 4500 mm and feature a symmetrical base/column design with moveable cross rails in programmable 200mm increments. Variable column heights/ram strokes are available to accommodate very tall workpieces. Twin rams are available on the VTL-1600 size and larger machines.

The installation process spanned two weeks of meticulous work, with TDTs team of engineers installing the machine into the existing pit foundation, with minor modifications where the Dörries came out.

For further information www.tdt-machinetools.co.uk

Turnover more than quadruples in three years




Historically, a majority of subcontractor Reginson Engineering’s turnover came from the aerospace sector, with oil and gas generating most of the remainder. However, when Covid struck in early 2020 the aerospace contracts dried up. While ventilator work took off, the company knew this was only temporary, so the family-run business owned by Steve Hatch set about finding business elsewhere. What transpired altered the company’s fortunes entirely, as a contract from a jewellery manufacturer combined with strong growth in aerospace conspired to increase turnover so dramatically that by 2023 it was 447% higher than before the pandemic.

Even better is to come. The jewellery company is so pleased with the quality of the mainly titanium jewellery pieces already supplied that it has signalled its intention to increase the annual quantity of parts from 100,000 to 1 million per month over the next few years. The machine tools underpinning both the quantity and quality of the jewellery parts produced at the Nuneaton factory are yet more Citizen Cincom sliding-head lathes.

Reginson Engineering is a long-time user of these Japanese-built sliders dating back to the early 1990s. In October 2020, the lathes were joined on the shop floor by the subcontractor’s first Citizen fixed-head model, a 64 mm bar capacity Miyano ABX-64SYY twin-turret, twin-spindle turn-mill centre. The user describes the machine as “fantastic”, as it has allowed the company to slash cycle times compared with using other turning plant on site.

The upturn in throughput generated by the jewellery contract required much more sliding-head capacity, so the subcontractor has bought 14 new Cincoms in the past couple of years. They are now seven 20 mm bar capacity A20-VIIs on site and the same number of 12 mm capacity L12-VIIs.
For further information www.citizenmachinery.co.uk

Tornos and Starrag merger remains on track




As announced by the Tornos Group in May, the executive board and board of directors have been examining a merger with the Starrag Group over the past few months. Based on the positive results of the review and negotiations, the two boards of directors recently signed a merger agreement. The boards of directors of Starrag Group Holding Ltd and Tornos Holding Ltd are now asking their respective shareholders to approve this merger agreement.

The two groups of companies and their offerings complement each other, and a merger to form the StarragTornos Group would further strengthen room for manoeuvre as a manufacturer of precision machine tools. Tornos says it is convinced that if the planned merger gains approval by the two general assemblies, it will be able to offer customers even better technology solutions, products and services.

Bundled resources and combined technical know-how will significantly strengthen the new company’s innovative power, further developing existing technologies and driving forward new solutions. Furthermore, by increasing geographical presence, the merged company will make its performance and expanded range of services available globally on an even more personal, better and faster level.

The Tornos brand of Swiss-type sliding-head lathes and the brands of the Starrag Group have a long tradition. They are rooted in Switzerland and enjoy a high level of customer trustworldwide. That is why the companies want to keep them unchanged, even after the planned merger. The existing production sites of Tornos and Starrag are also to continue, withno job cuts planned as a result of the proposed merger. It goes without saying that familiar contacts at the Tornos Group will also remain the same.
For further information www.tornos.com