Introduced to the UK in the spring, the new Sodick UX450L high-end machining centre from Sodi-Tech UK has already made a major impact on manufacturers since it landed on the UK shores. As a pioneer in linear drive technology, Sodick created the world’s first independently developed linear drives incorporated into mass-produced machine tools. Over 25 years later, Sodick says its next-generation technology is pushing the limits of what is possible with the arrival of the new UX450L.

Conor Plaskitt, technical sales manager at Sodi-Tech UK, says: “We’re well known for EDM but not so much for high-speed machining. However, the two work together well. For a typical copper or graphite electrode manufacturer, the Sodick UX450L is the perfect machine. If you look at processes where spark erosion isn’t always necessary, the UX450L presents the ideal solution for hard milling where manufacturers want ‘mirror-like’ surface finishes and very tight tolerances.”

He continues: “The machine has a 40,000rpm spindle and, as Sodick is a world leader with its linear motor technology, the ability of the machine kinematics and axis movements to start and stop very quickly with pinpoint precision is exceptional.”

From a specification perspective, the Sodick UX450L has X, Y and Z-axis travel of 450 x 350 x 200mm with a 600 x 400mm work table.

“The machine is perfect for complex components that need very high surface finishes, such as mould tooling,” says Plaskitt. “The UX450L can achieve high-quality surface finishes that eliminate the requirement for time-consuming grinding or secondary polishing. Likewise, the machine can replace jig grinding applications – another skill that is gradually disappearing.”

More information www.sodick.eu

Vertical turning lathe (VTL) manufacturer Danobat is strengthening its position in the North American rail market with the acquisition of US-based company Delta Wheel Truing Solutions. Signing the agreement at Delta’s headquarters in Escanaba, Michigan, Danobat continues to make its way in the United States. Danobat entered the US market in 1982. The company has a technical centre in Chicago focused on the development of solutions for processes such as hard turning.

“This acquisition is an important boost that will position us as one of the benchmark players in the North American rail sector, bringing competition for in-situ wheel profiling maintenance that has been lacking in North America,” says Oskar Uria, director of the Railway Business Unit at Danobat. “Delta’s expertise and know-how will be a strategic support for Danobat to grow in such a demanding market.”

The main objective of this approach is to get closer to the US market, offering products tailored to the specific needs of customers in the North American railway sector. In addition, the Escanaba plant will provide direct services, ensuring a close and agile service to customers. 

Delta has a team of people with extensive experience in the design and manufacture of rail wheel re-profiling equipment. In addition, it holds several patents on different systems, offering unique solutions to the market. The manufacturing capacity in the US, its products and customer base are key elements for future joint development with Danobat.

Danobat has recently inaugurated a new 130,000 sq ft plant with increased manufacturing capacity at its Elgoibar manufacturing complex in northern Spain. The acquisition of Delta adds to its strategic investments for the coming years.

More information www.danobatgroup.com

Following the launch by Heller of the F 6000 travelling-column five-axis horizontal machining
centre (HMC) at the EMO trade show in Hanover last September, the German manufacturer
is introducing another new model. The F 5000, with its smaller working volume of 800 x 850
x 1100 mm, has 1000 x 1000 x 1400 mm axis travels and comes with many different types of
in-house developed, integrated motor spindles.
A speed cutting unit in combination with the HSK-A 100 tool shank (HSK-A 63 optional)

reaches speeds of 15,000 rpm. As an alternative, a dynamic cutting unit is suitable for
universal use at up to 400 Nm and 12,000 rpm. For heavy-duty machining, a power cutting
unit with a gear spindle and 1146 Nm of torque output is available.
The redesigned spindle head is of compact design and high rigidity thanks to the robust 45°,
backlash-free kinematics and short distance between the bearing and tool shank. Swivel
range is 350° for flexible five-sided machining. Customers can specify either a chain-type
magazine for up to 150 cutters or a rack-type magazine with 425 positions for HSK-A 100
tools (489 for HSK-A 63).
Featuring a cast-iron structure, modular design and narrow width at 3.7 m, the machining
centre is configurable to various small-to-medium batch production applications, ranging
from general mechanical engineering through powertrain component machining to
aerospace. The production platform is just as efficient for the manufacture of single parts as
it is for series runs, reports Heller.
As with the F 6000, the F 5000’s capabilities are expandable to include turning at up to 700
rpm, interpolation turning, gear cutting, grinding, power skiving and even friction stir
welding.
For further information www.heller.biz