New Heckert large-machine series on its way

Starrag, which unveiled its new large-machine series in November 2024, says the four planned Heckert models will be launched and presented to the market in stages throughout 2025.

The company’s HPMS (High Performance Machining Systems) business unit, which includes the Chemnitz and Rorschacherberg sites, has developed a new large-machine construction kit from which new machining centres can be derived.

Development engineers considered the latest technical aspects when redesigning the large Heckert machines. For example, the frame components, such as the beds and columns, were optimised for thermal symmetry. If the ambient temperature changes, the core components expand or contract evenly in all directions. This behaviour is predictable and correctable. The chip fall in the area between the work spindle and the workpiece has also been improved so that hot chips have minimal opportunity to transfer heat to the workpiece or the machine.

An important advantage of the new machines is the improved productivity. The decisive factor here is an increase in the diameter of the ball screws from 63 to 80 mm. A further stiffening of the structural components complements this improvement. As a result, users can achieve even higher cutting values, increase chip volumes and ultimately reduce machining times. The machine has also become faster. Instead of a 40 m/min rapid traverse rate, it now enables 50 m/min, reducing non-productive times.

The approximately 20% smaller footprint is another benefit in light of high floor space costs. This reduction is primarily due to the repositioning of an energy chain, which enables further integration of the chip conveyor into the machine.

More information www.starrag.com

DMG Mori releases DMX five-axis machines

Based on the robust design of DMG Mori’s DMV series vertical machining centres, the company has developed its new DMX 60 U and DMX 80 U for workpieces weighing up to 300 and 350 kg respectively. With travels of 600 x 600 x 510 mm for the DMX 60 U and 800 x 600 x 510 mm for the larger model, the competitively-priced, 3+2 axis machining centres with their swivelling rotary table are suitable for producing complex components.

The machines feature a design based on a monolithic machine bed and massive castings, providing up to 50% higher static rigidity compared with their predecessors. Combined with wide roller guideways in all axes, DMG Mori says it ensures excellent stability during operation. The design also enables dynamic machining and rapid traverse rates of up to 42 m/min, some 40% faster than predecessor machines. Moreover, the speed of the rotary B axis and C axis for positioning parts has been raised by an even higher percentage, from 6 to 10 rpm.

Comprehensive, multi-sensor temperature compensation ensures thermal stability and consistently precise production, while direct drives and linear scales in the X and Y axes guarantee high positioning accuracy.

The energy-efficient production centres are suitable for a variety of applications thanks to a choice of spindles, starting with the 12,000 rpm inlineMASTER spindle as standard. SpeedMASTER spindles with a high torque of up to 200 Nm or a speed of 20,000 rpm are optionally available.

The standard BIG PLUS face-and-taper tool-holding interface provides additional stability and accuracy during machining. Customers can choose from different tool magazine options with 30 to 120 pockets.

More information www.dmgmori.com

SW shines spotlight on automated machining

At the Paris Air Show earlier this month, machine tool manufacturer Schwäbische Werkzeugmaschinen (SW) presented its technology portfolio for the high-precision machining of aerospace components. Using aluminium and titanium wing ribs and blisk parts as examples, SW experts demonstrated how the combination of multi-spindle machining centres and integrated automation solutions can enable fully integrated and efficient production.

“Our customers are under pressure to maintain or even increase productivity in the face of skills shortages and tight delivery schedules,” said Markus Löhe, key account aerospace at SW. “At the Paris Air Show, we showed how our integrated machining and automation solutions help achieve exactly that.”

The exhibits were produced on the BA space 3, currently the largest machine in the SW portfolio. It was developed to meet the demands of modern aircraft manufacturing. The machine’s dual-spindle configuration allows either parallel machining of two workpieces or simultaneous operation of both spindles on a single component – suitable for high production volumes or large workpiece dimensions. Thanks to its two-axis swivel head, it is possible to machine complex components in five axes in a single set-up.

“In the aerospace industry, where structural components such as wing ribs are milled from up to 95% solid material, this machine really stands out for its high dynamics, precision machining and stable processes,” said Löhe. “This also applies to challenging parts such as blisks.”

As complexity increases – especially in large-scale aerospace projects – suppliers are seeking fully integrated solutions that cover every step from machining to process control. SW says its technology offers not only increased output through dual-spindle machining, but also seamless automation throughout the process chain.

More information https://sw-machines.com/

Oil and gas manufacturer opts for Ibarmia

Cutting and Wear Resistant Developments Ltd, a manufacturer of specialist downhole tools for the oil and gas industry, has undergone a transformative shift in its production capabilities after investing in an Ibarmia five-axis travelling-column machining centre from Dugard. The company, led by managing director Matthew Cooper, has followed a successful growth trajectory over the past 12 years, and the introduction of this advanced CNC machine has played a pivotal role in supporting its expansion.

Prior to the arrival of the Ibarmia ZVH 45 L3000 machine, the company encountered challenges related to the complexity of its tools, lead time constraints and the efficiency of its manufacturing methods. However, the implementation of the new machine has revolutionised their operations.

The Ibarmia machine, equipped with a high-performance spindle capable of speeds up to 12,000 rpm, has enabled Cutting and Wear to reduce lead times and machining times significantly.

Mark Taylor, CNC programmer, says: “We had one tool that previously took us 11 hours to mill; on the new machine, it was reduced to just two hours.”

One of the stand-out features of the Ibarmia machine is its advanced probing capabilities. By integrating probing into the machine’s programming cycle, Cutting and Wear has eliminated the need for manual programming, further streamlining the manufacturing process.

“We can execute everything on the machine as it’s built into program, so there’s no need to remove it from the machine for inspection,” says Taylor.

The Ibarmia ZVH 45 L3000 machine from Dugard is a five-axis travelling-column machine with an X, Y and Z-axis travel of 3000 x 1200 x 800 mm, and a B-axis head range of ±105°.

More information www.dugard.com

New investment pays dividends at Sanoh UK

MACH Machine Tools has supplied Sanoh UK Manufacturing, a tier-one supplier and manufacturer and distributor of tubular products to the UK automotive sector, with a new vertical machining centre. The machine, a three-axis MACH MDV 1160S equipped with the DynaPath control, arrived at the company’s Engineering Centre facility in Avonmouth in April 2025. It replaced two older semi-automatic milling machines that were part-exchanged to help fund the investment.

Since installation, the MACH MDV 1160S has been put through its paces machining a range of different-sized base plates for gauges and assembly fixtures. The plates are made from aluminium and measure 12.7 mm thick. Machining operations comprise the drilling of pre-fixing holes on the underside, allowing secure clamping on the machine table, before the drilling of application-specific holes on the top side that serve to hold a number of posts and blocks in position.

Says Leyton Dunn, Engineering Centre manager: “Prior to investing in the new MACH machine, these drilling operations were performed on our semi-automatic mills. However, the relatively small worktables meant that we were constantly having to stop drilling to unclamp the plates, move them to a different position and re-clamp.”

On a recent project involving the drilling of a series of holes in 10 different sized plates, the size of the worktable on the MDV 1160S meant the number of plate movements and the related re-fixturing operations required was reduced to just four instead of 24. Moreover, the project was completed in 70 hours less than if it was handled on the Engineering Centre’s semi-automatic machines.

More information www.machmt.co.uk