FEATURE ON CNC MILLS & MACHINING CENTRES

Mazak releases new CNC machining centres

Now available from Mazak is the company’s new HCN-4000 NEO and HCN-5000 NEO horizontal machining centres and its VariAxis i-700 NEO five-axis vertical machining centre. The new NEO models achieve enhanced precision, boasting three times better than ISO positioning accuracy. Additionally, continuous machining accuracy sees stabilisation thanks to the new ‘Ai Thermal Shield’ function, which uses advanced algorithms to determine compensation according to fluctuating temperature. The result?Improved concentricity for machining operations such as end-to-end boring.

As part of Mazak’s Go Green environmental initiative to achieve a 50% reduction in its carbon footprint by 2030, the new NEO series represents the most environmentally friendly to date. Mazak has committed to making all machines manufactured in 2030 at least four times more efficient than machines manufactured in 2010. To create a more sustainable future and reduce consumption costs for manufacturers, the latest NEO series incorporates a raft of technology enhancements to deliver a 30% reduction in energy consumption for the VariAxis i-700 NEO and 24% for the HCN-4000/5000 NEO.

Environmental performance sees further gains via the Energy Saver Dashboard, with a graphic display of power and CO2 consumption for users to identify trends via a visual indicator.In addition, a Mazak Smooth Coolant system automatically optimises coolant volume discharge to drive additional energy savings. The Smooth Coolant system also incorporates a sludge removal performance system that keeps the coolant sump clean and prolongs the service life of cutting fluids.

If required, Mazak can pair the machines with an integrated high-rise PalleTech system featuring the latest PMC NEO software. With a new graphical user interface offering tutorial-style data entry and interactive set-up guidance, PMC NEO includes advanced system monitoring, resource management and ERP integration capability.
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk

Compact five-axis multi-tasking machine

All-round speed of operation is the essence of the new Speedio M300Xd1 30-taper, five-axis mill-turn centre from Brother, which is represented in the UK and Ireland by Whitehouse Machine Tools.The machine is proficient at milling and drilling within a 300 x 440 x 380 mm working envelope and is equally well suited to turning components on the C-axis torque table, which sits on a -30/+120° swivelling A-axis trunnion. Machine shops can produce components up to 450 mm in diameter and weighing up to 75 kg.

Single set-up multi-tasking avoids additional set-ups, promotes high accuracy machining and minimises component handling. All machining takes place in a compact footprint of fractionally over 4 sq m.

Rivalling 40-taper prismatic machining equipment in terms of rigidity and high metal removal rate, the M300Xd1 is more agile and significantly more productive, reports Whitehouse Machine Tools. Furthermore, it typically draws 80% less power, giving it industry-leading environmental performance and low running costs.

The 380 mm Z-axis travel is nearly 25% longer than that of sister Speedio model M300X3, providing the new machine with a larger volume for fixturing components and allowing the application of longer tools up to 250 mm. New also is the ability to specify a 28-tool magazine, rather than one with 22 positions.

Research carried out by Brother indicates that electric and hybrid vehicles will account for more than half of global sales by 2030. With its prismatic machining and turning capability, the M300Xd1 is suitable for the production of complex traction motor cases and other components used in such vehicles. Further target markets include the conventional automotive sector, as well as the valve, roller bearing and medical industries.
For further information www.wmtcnc.com

MACH Machine Tools goes top of the class

MACH Machine Tools, part of the Vigilance Group and a supplier of CNC and manual machine tools and machine shop equipment to UK and Irish component manufacturers and UK educational institutions and training providers, has recently supplied NETA Trainingin Stockton-on-Tees with three new CNC machine tools.The machines, all ordered at the same time, are equipped with the DynaPath control and comprise two MACH MDT-1 turret-type milling machines and a MACH MDL 1600 lathe.

Says Sean Johnston, NETA’s director:“Our MACH machine tools have helped elevate our status as an engineering training specialist with local and regional employers, schools and young people and the wider community. They have enabled us to further differentiate our offering in what is a competitive local training environment.”

NETA took the decision to invest in MACH machine tools for a number of reasons. Although initially considering a couple of machine tool manufacturers, a meeting between NETA representatives and MACH Machine Tools at the MACH 2022 exhibition meant a machine tool investment package comprising two mills and a lathe began to take shape.

“We liked the approach of MACH Machine Tools,”recalls Johnston. “In addition, we appreciated the build quality of the machines and, once the power and flexibility of the DynaPath control system was explained to us in more detail, we were convinced it was the right way to go.We were also particularly impressed with the control system’s 24/7 remote diagnostic capabilities. These factors, combined with the aftersales service and support, the competitive price, themachine’s availability, and the company’s desire to create a meaningful partnership, helped seal the deal.”
For further information www.machmt.co.uk

In-cycle FSW on CNC machining centres

Horizontal machining centre manufacturer Heller has introduced the capability to friction stir weld (FSW) non-ferrous components on itsfour- and five-axis CNC machines. It is possible to combine the FSW process with milling, drilling, turning and other metal-cutting operations in the same cycle, saving time by eliminating a separate operation on other equipment – and the expense of buying it.

The integration of FSW into a Heller machining centre requires an inexpensive tool in the spindle, activation of a Heller technology cycle and the adaptive control function in the Siemens Sinumerik 840D sl CNC. The machine operator can easily program the weld path at the control, or else transfer the data from a CADCAM system.

Before welding starts, it is necessary to ascertain two key parameters: axial tool pressure and feed rate along the joint. They depend, among other things, on material composition and the required type and depth of the weld seam. Determining these values can pose a challenge, but Heller’s applications support team are on hand to assist. Pilot projects have shown that customers’ machine operators are quickly able to master the process.

To weld, the tool plunges into the gap between the two parts that require joining with high axial force until it contacts the surfaces.The friction created by rotating the tool heats and eventually plasticises the component material, mixing it to form a bond in the joint gap as the tool, under constant pressure, continues creating a high-quality weld seam along the programmed path. Once the process starts, the Siemens CNC logs the entire workflow.
For further information www.heller.biz

Adams slides into three-axis machining

Although a predominantly sliding-head turning machine shop, Adams Engineering (Ilkeston) Ltd has just purchased a Dugard 1000XP three-axis machining centre. Initially founded in the 1950s and run as a single-cam auto machine shop for decades, the business has more recently been taken over by Scott Burrow. Since the takeover, the company moved to new and larger premises three years ago and continued its machine acquisition trail.

Discussing why Adams Engineering has invested in three-axis machining, Burrow says: “Our first venture into milling was down to one of our customers. They kept pressing us to do milling work, so eventually we took the plunge. With the first machine we bought, we were initially just drilling and tapping prismatic parts and putting steps in plates.”

As word got around that the company was undertaking milling work, more enquiries flowed in.

“Due to rising enquiries we bought a larger machine, the Dugard 1000XP three-axis machining centre,” explains Burrow.

The ISO9001-accredited company wanted a machine with a sizeable capacity and a robust platform, which is exactly what the Dugard 1000XP delivers. As standard, the machine has X, Y and Z-axis travel of 1050 x 540 x 560mm to accommodate large parts. It also offers a 27kW BT40 spindle motor, a cartridge belt drive spindle and pre-tensioned twin-nut ballscrews.

“We just thought, why not go big.Today, we are doing work that takes up almost all the entire bed.”

The Dugard 1000XP has X, Y and Z-axis rapid feed rates of 44, 44 and 25m/min, with a cutting feed rate of 20m/min credit to the Mitsubishi CNC control system. Positional accuracy is 0.01mm, while repeatability is ±0.003 mm.
For further information www.dugard.com