The Industry 4.0 revolution has seen many companies reconsider the day-to-day running of their facilities; now more than ever customers are introducing automation and cloud-based data sharing into the manufacturing process. Nikken’s global team of engineers is proud to have created a range of advanced digital solutions, designed to work alongside the company’s products to increase productivity and optimise any process.

One such example is Tool ID. Developed in collaboration with partner Elbo Controlli, Tool ID is a suitable way of introducing Industry 4.0 processes to any tool room. Designed to provide two-way transfer of measurements between the presetter and the machine’s NC tool table, Tool ID incorporates a handheld scanner that is fully integrated with the presetter to scan and read a unique data matrix tag located on the tool. Once the tool has been measured, the measurement data is centralised within the Tool ID database, ready to be accessed from a similar scanner located at the machine.

Another innovation is TP32, Nikken’s all-encompassing tool data management system, which controls all tooling assemblies and components, providing a complete database of stock, item locations and machines. Suitable for busy shop floors, TP32 streamlines any tooling process, providing overall management of setting sheets per machine and per part, ensuring the use and logging of correct gauge lengths.

In addition, for tracking manufacturing performance Nikken offers its I/O condition monitoring system, which allows customers to actively study the day-to-day functions of their Nikken rotary product via customisable data visuals. Nikken I/O can provide additional reassurance that equipment is functioning at maximum capacity by collecting live data on uptime, usage, collisions, backlash and servo current.

For further information
www.nikken-world.co.uk

Ceratizit Group’s Team Cutting Tools has launched new variants of its hydraulic chuck range with VDI and cylindrical shank connections as part of the WNT Performance tooling series. This latest addition to the portfolio provides a solution when boring bars need to be precision clamped with a shank tolerance of h7. The new hydraulic chucks featuring VDI and cylindrical shank connections can achieve this tolerance with a repeatability of 3 µm. The key benefit, though, is that in applications such as thread turning, fine boring or cutting with long tool overhangs, the precise tensioning and damping properties of the technology can reduce surface roughness by up to 70% when compared with standard systems.

Another feature of the Ceratizit hydraulic chucks is the radial adjustment screw, which helps position the boring bar to micron accuracy on diameter. Similarly, it is possible to remove the length adjustment screw to push the boring bar through – for efficient machining of various lengths of turning tools.

Ceratizit’s hydraulic chucks are available with a VDI interface for direct mounting in the turret of a turning centre complete with through-tool coolant capability. The chucks are available as 30 and 40 VDI with a 20 mm bore, along with a cylindrical shank version in 16 and 20 mm bore diameters for the 32 mm diameter shank, and 16, 20 and 25 mm for the 40 mm diameter shank variant.

In addition to the accuracy of hydraulic chucks, another significant advantage is the speed at which tool changes can take place (typically just seconds) without having to make tedious fine adjustments.

For further information
https://is.gd/xanado

Lang Technik has completed a Lang RoboTrex installation at the premises of Ritchie Precision in Livingston.

Ritchie Precision recently had the opportunity to quote for a high-volume, long-term contract related to the manufacture of intricate, multi-feature medical components with extremely challenging dimensional tolerances. Mindful of the length of the potential contract and the fact that the company could amortise some of the costs involved in purchasing the necessary equipment, Ritchie set about investigating the most efficient methods of producing the complicated components and achieving their demanding dimensional specifications.

The company installed three DMU eVo universal machining centres from DMG Mori, all of which are now served by Lang Robo-Trex automation systems. Working unattended and fed by the Lang Robo-Trex systems, the company’s DMU eVo machines run throughout the day. Then, before the end of each day shift, the company restocks the Robo-Trex trollies with batches of workpieces, enabling each machining centre to run unmanned throughout the night.

The trollies are loaded with multiple vices that hold workpieces ready for machining. Unattended, the systems’ robots pick workpieces from the trollies, load them into the DMG machines and, when complete, return them to the trollies.

A simple to operate touch panel enables easy control of the automated system and, thanks to external trolley access, production remains seamless as there is no need to interrupt the machining cycles. It is possible to control the system’s zero-point clamping system either pneumatically through the machine tool, or mechanically via the system’s robot.
Ritchie Precision’s senior manufacturing engineer Taylor Barr says: “By enabling our three new universal machining centres to work around the clock without stopping, our Lang Robo-Trex systems have allowed the maximum productive potential of the machines to be realised.”

For further information
www.lang-technik.co.uk

The Engineering Technology Group (ETG) is now offering UK manufacturers the new B-Safe from Balance Systems. B-Safe expands spindle and machine-tool diagnostics according to vibration and temperature analysis. The miniaturised system installs directly on to the machine’s spindle, guaranteeing real-time monitoring and the reduction of machine downtime by predicting malfunctions and potential failures. However, the system can provide so much more. Based upon fully customised solutions from ETG, B-Safe has an overload alarm, an overheating alarm with programmable thresholds that correlate with real-time data from process monitoring, and can create a collision alarm within 1 ms
B-Safe easily retrofits to virtually all machine tools and spindles. The system consists of a B-Safe sensor with a connector or integrated cable, a UPS and TCP-IP connection device interface, a start-up kit with software and user manual, a wide range of extension cables, and M5 to M12 adaptor and magnetic support that can all be fitted with simplicity.

Options include an event logbook, tri-axial real-time data recorder, high-frequency mono-axial data, FFT analysis, a collision waveform recorder, historical trends, spindle check-up, service notes and the ‘Fingerprint’ feature (a B-Safe app intended for condition monitoring of machine tool and machine tool spindle based on vibration analysis).
This information and much more is available in the always-connected HMI, while the multi-platform software provides users with full control from anywhere. The B-Safe HMI is a software platform that allows interaction with multiple sensors at the same time and is available in different languages and layouts. It is suitable for PCs or machine-tool control panels that run Microsoft Windows 7, 8.x or 10.

For further information
www.engtechgroup.com

Accudyne Products is introducing its expanded-capacity bar puller for CNC lathe automation. The new EZ-Puller Expanded Capacity supports larger round bar diameters of 0.093” to 2” (2.7 to 50.8 mm) and weights of up to 100 lbs (45.4 kg). Hex bar capacity of 0.25” to 1.375” (6.4 to 34.9 mm) and square bar capacity of 0.25” to 1” (6.4 to 25.4 mm) are pulled without the need for an M19 (spindle orientation) function.

The EZ-Puller is an auto-adjusting bar puller that enables the automatic operation of CNC lathes. Notably, the auto-adjust feature is driven by an ‘X’ value in the pulling sub-routine of a lathe program. This value represents the distance the tool needs to move in the X axis according to the bar diameter being pulled.

Accudyne’s patented design uses a cam and lifter system, where hardened steel grippers attach to hardened steel pivot arms. These arms have an integral cam lobe machined at their top. As the grippers advance over the bar stock, internal urethane springs compress. The urethane springs provide a reactive force that allows the grippers to securely hold the bar stock. This proprietary design provides optimal gripping force regardless of bar size or shape.

Other features of the EZ-Puller are that it will accommodate an infinite range of sizes within its capacity without mechanical adjustment, allowing for multiple pulls. Multiple pulls are used for longer parts that cannot be cost-effectively machined in one chucking. The design of the EZ-Puller also allows for pulling bars with minimal projection in front of the work-holding chuck. This characteristic allows the machinist to set-up with as little as two gripper serrations (0.12”/3 mm) of engagement, which makes for a more rigid set up.

For further information
www.accudyneproducts.com