INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Combined laser cutting and turning

At Southern Manufacturing and Electronics 2023, Citizen Machinery is demonstrating a Cincom L12‐VIILFV sliding-head lathe with integral laser cutting capability. The advanced configuration broadens the production possibilities of Swiss-type machining. There is almost unlimited scope for laser cutting geometric shapes and precision holes into solid bar previously drilled within the same production cycle, or directly into tubular stock. It is possible to machine features far more quickly than can be accomplished by milling cutters in driven stations in the lathe’s tool carriers, and to higher precision.
For further information www.citizenmachinery.co.uk

Plug-and-play five-axis automation system

Taking pride of place on the Mazak stand (F180) is its UK-made CV5-500 machining centre, supported with a plug-and-play, low-footprint MA-20/400 part-loading automation system.
According to the company, this versatile five-axis machine featuring a 500 mm diameter table, is unique in its category due to its high-rigidity bridge construction with a fully supported trunnion table that travels in the Y-axis direction under the bridge, delivering an accurate and compact machining solution. Attributes include rapid traverse rates of 36 m/min in the X, Y and Z axes, and an optional 18,000 rpm, 18.5 kW high-speed spindle.
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk

Mazak to build Swiss-type lathes in USA

To support the production of yet another new Kentucky-designed and built line of machine tools, Mazak has expanded the company’s Florence manufacturing campus with the addition of its new Syncrex assembly plant. The 27,000 sq ft building combines engineering, production and applications support for Mazak’s recently launched Syncrex series of Swiss-type turning centres for the precision machining of small parts.

With an output capacity of up to 10 machines per month, the Syncrex building features all the necessary overhead cranes and equipment its employees need to produce 16 different models within the series for the North American market. The machines come in four bar stock capacities (20/25/32/38) and four different axis configurations, up to a 9X model with full B-axis contouring capabilities. Production flow through the building starts with a machined base that progresses through assembly operations and on to alignment, testing, inspection and run-off procedures prior to shipping.

Kevin Sekerak, plant manager at Mazak, says: “Within the new building’s production flow, we’ve incorporated applications support, which is extremely critical for this particular type of machine. That support entails integrating various forms of automation and other ancillary systems together with the machines, then proving them out to make sure they all operate to customer performance requirements and specifications. Often, applications specialists will work side by side with assembly technicians during customer machine run-offs.”

The sliding-headstock Syncrex machines all sit on Mazak high-damping composite castings (HDCC) produced in the US and machined at Mazak Kentucky. This high-rigidity base provides greater vibration damping characteristics, less thermal growth and greater part surface capabilities when compared to cast-iron base machines, says Mazak. The company also produces Syncrex spindles, headstocks, sheet metal and other key components in Kentucky.
For further information www.mazakusa.com

First automated measuring machine for micro-tools

Walter says that its new Helicheck Nano is the world’s first automated measuring machine for micro and nano tools as small as 0.1 mm diameter.Available from Walter Ewag UK, the Helicheck Nano measures the small diameter tooling increasingly required to meet miniaturisation trends in electronics, micromechanics and medical technology. According to the company, the comprehensive measurement of tools with diameters of less than 1 mm is usually fraught with challenges, where even the use of microscopy sees human operation posing the greatest risk of error.

Walter’s Helicheck Nano takes a different approach, offering non-destructive and operator-independent tool measurement using transmitted and reflectedlight. The process is possible thanks to the use of new variable optics having up to 800x magnification, the origins of which lie in microscopic incident light measuring technology.In combination with high-resolution cameras, these microscopic optics are the basis for measurements in the nanoscale.The variable magnification also allows measurements on standard tools of up to 16 mm diameter.

Complementing Walter’s other fully-automatic tool measuring machines Helicheck Pro and Helicheck Plus, the new Helicheck Nano has a solid granite base for high-standard, certified measuring accuracy and reliable results, while its permanent cameras are protected from dust and extraneous light by an encased measuring chamber.

Importantly, the new machine offers the possibility of automation with a pallet system enabling the automatic measurement of up to 7500 tools without operator intervention.
Walter adds that it will expand the Helicheck Nano’s capabilities in the future to include functions such as cutting edge rounding, 3D digitisation and surface finish measurement.
For further information www.walter-machines.com

Master Abrasives names two new partners

Master Abrasives is announcing two new partnerships for the start of 2023: MVK-line GmbH power tools and UVA LIDKÖPING AB grinding machines. UVA LIDKÖPING is a global supplier of precision grinders with its main manufacturing unit and headquarters in Lidköping, Sweden.“As their current UK representative retires, the opportunity for Master and UVA to form a partnership seemed ideal,” states Ian Meredith, Master’s machine tool division manager. “Having installed more than 10,000 machines around the world over 120 years, they continually make improvements to boost accuracy, efficiency and reliability.”
For further information www.master-abrasives.co.uk