At the EMO 2021 machine tool exhibition in Milan last month, prismatic machining equipment manufacturer Hermle demonstrated its latest automation system, the RS1. The system feeds workpieces and machine pallets automatically into and out of either one or a pair of the company’s three- and five-axis machining centres. According to Hermle, the resulting production cells are now sufficiently simple for use by semi-skilled staff. The sole sales and service agent for the UK, Irish and Gulf markets is Kingsbury.

Occupying a compact area of just 12 sq m, the new RS1 robotic unit is capable of minimally attended operation, 24/7. In addition to performing its loading and unloading duties, the six-axis robot automatically exchanges handling devices for pallets and fixtures, as well as grippers for raw billets and finished components. Pallets accommodating large, heavy workpieces weighing up to 60 kg may be transported, or individual workpieces up to 15 kg.

A modifiable rack storage concept accommodates pallets, workpieces, fixtures and the interchangeable end effectors for the robot. Furthermore, it is possible to extend the standard two-rack modules with a third, while users may also incorporate automated guided vehicles and other expansion solutions such as measuring and cleaning modules.

For cells comprising two Hermle machines, a third-party control system with graphical user interface from SOFLEX is employed to plan and organise order processing, control workpiece flow, oversee resource provision and transmit the necessary production information to the machine tools. For single-machine cells, a Hermle Automation Control System (HACS) with integrated touch panel provides intelligent order processing, as well as intuitive operation and control.

For further information
www.kingsburyuk.com

The installation of one Hurco vertical machining centre per year between 2013 and 2017, plus the addition of a sixth in May 2021, partly to take advantage of the UK government’s 130% capital allowance, have coincided with a sustained improvement in the level of business at subcontract machining firm Kelvin Precision Products. Disregarding the first year, when the start-up firm’s income was relatively low and therefore unrepresentative, turnover has increased five-fold compared with the second year of trading.

Following the success of the first VMC, one year later another three-axis machine arrived – a VM10i with more advanced control technology and diagnostics. Soon after, the first five-axis machine took its place on the shop floor, a VM10Ui, followed by a second in 2016. A larger VM20i three-axis VMC with a 1168 x 508 mm table arrived a year later and then a third five-axis VM10Ui in spring 2021.

Having half of its prismatic metal-cutting capacity able to produce components efficiently in fewer set-ups using 3+2-axis cycles, with the rotary axes positioned and clamped, sets Kelvin apart from many of its competitors of similar size. It provides for high-quality work, typically to tolerances of ±0.05-0.10 mm, in short timescales. Normally, components are put on a five-axis machine for Op 1 and a three-axis machine for Op 2, if it is relatively simple. Fully interpolative five-axis milling and drilling on the Hurcos is available, should suitable jobs come along.

Today, the prismatic machining of a wide range of plastics and metals, including stainless steel, mild steel, cast iron, aluminium, brass and copper, are the mainstay of the company’s day-to-day work. Some parts are over 1 m in length.

For further information
www.hurco.co.uk

The last 18 months of Covid-induced business stagnation has been a challenging period for most manufacturers, but companies willing to invest will always weather the storm better than those that do not. A case in point is Milton Keynes based subcontractor Goodman Precision Engineering (GPE).

The company, which predominately machines components for the Formula One industry, has recently moved to a new facility that is 2.5 times larger than its previous site. GPE has also invested in an additional two Quaser machining centres from the Engineering Technology Group (ETG).

The new Quaser MV214P and MF400 complement existing Quaser machines at GPE that include two Quaser MF400 models and a Quaser MV184.

Company founder Mark Goodman says: “One of the main reasons I initially specified Quaser machines is because of the history I have with using Heidenhain controls on previous Bridgeport machines. The build quality, like the Bridgeport, is very good and very robust, and we need this build quality as we machine a lot of stainless steel and titanium. We do more of this type of machining on the Quaser machines than any other machine tools because of their stability.”

Looking specifically at why GPE invested in the MF400 machine, Goodman continues: “The Quaser MF400 is a simultaneous five-axis machine that has an impressive work envelope and a good standard volume of cutting tool capacity. For the price point, this makes it a very good acquisition.”

Alongside the new MF400 is the new MV214P. Revealing the reason for this purchase, Goodman says: “This machine gives us a big capacity, so we can either do larger parts or set up several small jobs simultaneously.”

For further information
www.engtechgroup.com

Ficep UK’s P27 CNC plate drilling system has been installed at Washington Waterjet, based in the northeast, helping the business to improve speed and precision and extend its services, moving up execution classes from one and two to cover classes three and four.

Washington Waterjet, a £2m turnover business, has invested in the Ficep P27 with tool changer to enable the delivery of automated plate processing up to 3-inch thick. A key consideration when selecting the new machine was its footprint. Alongside its existing waterjet and CNC plasma, the P27 takes up minimal space while offering complementary processes that are unachievable on existing machines.

The benefits of Ficep’s P series punching and drilling lines extend way beyond a small footprint and ease of installation: the ability to combine drilling, scribing, tapping, countersinking, milling and marking makes the multi-tasking capabilities of the P27 suitable for many plate applications. High-speed drilling comes courtesy of the 27 kW direct-drive spindle with ball-screw feed for maximum performance. In addition, the machine has an intelligent self-adjustable clamping system to suit different plate thicknesses, allowing quick loading and unloading.

Washington Waterjet managing director Peter Robinson, says: “The new CNC plate drilling line helps us to work on projects we previously would have had to outsource. Prior to acquiring the new machine we could carry out work up to execution class two, but with the Ficep P27 we can provide drilling to meet execution classes three and four. This is a major development as it opens the door for us to drill steel components, which have far wider applications. The new drill is also quicker, helping to improve our productivity.”

For further information
www.ficep.co.uk

The recent installation of what is Holt Broadcast Services’ third machine, an XYZ 500 LR vertical machining centre from XYZ Machine Tools, is already paying dividends, with improved cycle times, reduced post-machining operations and greater versatility.

Founded in 1994, Holt Broadcast Services is a specialist manufacturer of sheet metal enclosures, whether they are standard 19” rack mounting enclosures common in the broadcast industry or customised solutions. While much of the company’s production can be generated using conventional sheet metal forming equipment and skills, there is also a requirement for machining. This is generated through the extensive use of extruded material and the individual requirements of customers, where the design and manufacture of specialist tooling, such as punches, makes machining much more cost-effective and efficient.

Holt Broadcast Services initially purchased a two-axis ProtoTRAK mill from XYZ Machine Tools for this work, then progressed to a three-axis ProtoTRAK bed mill for greater efficiency. The latest development is the arrival of a XYZ 500LR vertical machining centre that has again transformed how this work is undertaken.

“Typical of this work are vent panels, which can have up to 400 holes in them,” explains Jon Sturgess, workshop manager. “We normally produce these in batches of 100 off and, by utilising the tool changer and 12,000 rpm spindle on the XYZ 500LR, we are reducing the cycle time per panel by up to 30 minutes, a significant saving.”

Further benefits of machining these parts compared with punching include the elimination of secondary operations. Punching caused distortion that required correction, as well as burring on both sides. Machining eliminates distortion, while deburring is reduced to just one side as holes are deburred as part of the machining process and included in the cycle time saving.

For further information
www.xyzmachinetools.com