Prompted by increasing demand, Oldham-based North West Polishing Ltd is currently involved in further expanding its production facility and investing in new, highly efficient plant. As a major element in its latest expansion phase, the company recently purchased a VG T-300-3K polishing machine from Ellesco.

Managing director Andrew Marston says: “Having previously purchased polishing machines from other suppliers with somewhat mixed results, we turned to Ellesco. Together, we came to the conclusion that the T-300-3K polishing machine would satisfy our requirements. Following a trouble-free installation and operator training, our new polisher is now enabling us to process much greater quantities of products in a range of high-quality finishes. Furthermore, the speed of the machine ensures that we are able to deliver within the strict timeframes required by our customers.”

The VG T-300-3K uses three abrasive belt heads fitted with 300 mm belts, each driven by individual 7.5 kW motors. According to Ellesco, swapping from one abrasive belt grade to another is both quick and easy. The machine boasts pneumatic floating linishing heads that automatically compensate to ensure consistent pressure is applied to long, non-uniform workpieces. In addition, the T-300-3K provides powered adjustment for different thicknesses of bar and box-section products, while automatic belt tension removes unwanted oscillations.

With a through-feed conveyor, speed adjustment allows slow throughput for demanding applications such as heavy scale removal and pronounced extruder draw lines, through to fast throughput speeds for fine finishing and jobs where minimal heat generation is a requirement.

For further information www.ellesco.co.uk

Ficep UK has been appointed as the exclusive UK agent for Costa Lev, a manufacturer of automatic metal deburring and surface finishing machines. The machines are suitable for the deburring of plasma/oxy fuel/laser cut parts, the grinding of all flat, ferrous and non-ferrous metal parts, and the polishing of large metal surfaces.

When there is a mix of materials or a different finish is required, Costa machines have a patented system that provides flexibility, reduced downtime between changeover of brushes and easier maintenance, says the company. Depending on the edge radius required, vertical or orbital type brushes can be used, either individually or in multiple groups to ensure the required finish is achieved on the top or the top and bottom sides of the component in one pass.
Parts up to more than 400 mm thick, and more than 3000 mm wide, can be processed at feeding speeds of up to 50 m/min. Target application include the removal of slag, burrs and oxide, even when the parts are warped or uneven.
When polishing wide stainless steel sheets, the quality of the surface finish remains consistent as the machines automatically compensate for belt wear. This is possible thanks to an integral PLC that extends the life of consumables.
All machines in the Costa range exceed CE and OSHA approval, with noise reduction systems and special devices to protect operators and prevent parts from getting damaged.
For further information
www.ficep.co.uk

Many fencers around the world, including winners at last year’s Olympics in Rio, use weapons manufactured by London firm, Leon Paul Equipment. What many of them may not realise is the level of expertise that goes into ensuring that the foils, epees and sabres are finished to a very high standard. To this end, a focus on deburring and surface treatment has seen two more vibratory machines installed in the factory by PDJ Vibro.

“Five years ago we started producing a new pistol grip called Evolution for our epees and foils,” explains Jack Jacob, works manager at Leon Paul Equipment, which is based in the Brent Cross area of northwest London. “However, it presented us with the problem of how to achieve the required uniformity of mottling and smoothness on the surface of the aluminium investment castings.”
So for the first time at Leon Paul, traditional hand finishing techniques were replaced with automated de-flashing and surface treatment in a vibratory bowl supplied by PDJ Vibro. Since then the company has added aluminium guards to the list of parts finished in this way. Sharp edges and flash are removed from the aerospace grade aluminium pressings that form the guards of foils and sabres.
Around half of the guards are polished manually to achieve a glossy surface. However, at the end of last year the company decided to look at automation. Again Leon Paul turned to PDJ Vibro and after the successful completion of trials, a second vibratory bowl was delivered along with a supply of small porcelain balls for burnishing the guards, and a liquid polishing medium to ensure a bright finish.
For further information
www.vibratoryfinishing.co.uk