INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Soraluce Performance Line: reliable and precise

Soraluce presents the New Performance Line, a totally new range of machine tools that the company says is built on a platform of reliability, precision and flexibility for medium-large workpieces.The Performance Line comprisesthree families of machines with three different architectures, all based on a common modular structure. Each family has a number of models and configurations, producing machines that are configurable for a number of work environments. Availability of the TA, FA and SA families in the UK is via sole agent, TW Ward CNC Machinery (Ward CNC).

The new Soraluce TA bed mill offers greater capacities than a machining centre in terms of work volume, power output, torque, chip removal and ergonomics, reports the company. There are different versions with square or round tables that can also undertake multi-tasking operations. The machine has standard peripheral guarding with easy front and back access to the work area.

Soraluce’s new floor-typeborer is configurable with floor plate, rotary table or rotary-travelling table; with one or more multi-tasking tables (milling and turning); with a portable rotary table which Soraluce can position vertically with a tailstock or horizontally; with the option of duplex machines – machining using two spindles simultaneously; or with a floor plate at user height for better ergonomics.

The new Soraluce SA fixed-table travelling-column mill has a novel machine architecture whereby the moving column and table share the same base. The work area is fully guarded, with complete front access to the workpieceat user height and the CNC on a sliding guide in front of the machine. Different work area versions include: a fixed table, rotary milling or milling/turning table of 1000 mm diameter on one side of the table, or two milling or milling/turning tables at either end of the machine.
For further information www.bit.ly/3XoF73K

Vollmer VDays focus on efficient processes

Sharpening specialist Voller recently opened its doors for the company’sVDays 2023 in-house trade fair at Biberach. Across three days, customers, suppliers and partners had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of grinding, eroding and laser machines with keynote speeches, specialist talks and product demonstrations. Around 400 visitors from around the world attended the event, which not only focussed on automation and digitalisation, but also efficient production using sustainable processes.

“We’re very satisfied with the popularity of and interest in our VDays,” says Jürgen Hauger, joint CEO of theVollmer Group. “In particular, we enjoyed the face-to-face conversations that we were able to have with our customers and partners.”

Over the course of VDays, Vollmer product managers and engineers explained sharpening technologies for various grinding, erosion and laser machines, as well as their potential applications in the metalworking industries. These presentations also included the latest innovations in tool manufacturing, such as the VLaser 370 laser machine, VGrind series tool grinding machines and the VHybrid 260 grinding and erosion machine.

Other machines, such as the CS 860 and the CSF 860 grinding machines, are suitable for the sustainable sharpening of circular saws. These models can machine the tooth face, tooth top and flanks of carbide-tipped circular saw teeth with high precision, energy efficiency and automation.

“Together with partner companies at the VDays, we managed to map the entire process chain in tool manufacturing and indicate how important digitalisation, automation and process efficiency are to tool grinding,” explains Dr Stefan Brand, joint CEO of theVollmer Group. “These trends offer opportunities for differentiation and competitive advantages, both for our customers and for ourselves.”
For further information www.vollmer-group.com

Eliminating wire breakage and reducing consumption

GF Machining Solutions’ new iWire technology automatically adjusts wire speeds to changing part/feature heights and erosion conditions, thus helping to optimise the wire EDM process.

iWire technology, available on advanced AgieCharmilles wire EDM machines, automatically identifies and adjusts wire speeds to changing erosion conditions, helping to eliminate wire breakage and reducing overall wire consumption per job by over 25% in some instances.The iWire function works in tandem with the company’s Intelligent Spark Protection System (ISPS), both being key features of the company’s UNIQUA control.

Building on its technological knowledge of the EDM process, the company’s machines identify and measure the exact location of each spark along the length of the wire.This information enables iWire to adjust the wire spool speed accordingly, preventing the chances of wire breakages. GFMS says this capability is a tangible business benefit during lights-out and unattended operations when machining complex ‘stepped’ parts and/or features that have variable heights, for example.

Both ISPS and iWire help prevent wire breakage and, as a consequence, reduce wire usage and assist in controlling consumable costs and increasing machine uptime.In recent tests, iWire working in tandem with ISPS prevented wire breakage on a part with numerous features with varying heights.The cut started at a standard spool speed then, when the cutting height reduced, the speed slowedautomatically. As a result, the company observed wire savings equating to about 480m or 0.2kg, and processing times saw a corresponding reduction of 30%.
For further information www.gfms.com

Grinding range elevates safety and performance

Fein is now offering a new grinding product range, revealing new safety and performance features to meet the latest user needs. Following the launch, power tool operators working across disciplines will be able to choose from the extended range of over 40 grinding tools, with corded and cordless options available. The range arrives as a result of first-hand industry feedback, to provide a product suitable for every application, including angle grinding, die grinding and stainless-steel processing, for example.

The portfolio includes the launch of the CG 15 compact angle grinder, the first of its class to feature a fully encapsulated, brushless Fein PowerDrive motor. The tool’s 1500 W motor and notable power-to-weight ratio allow user to operate with efficiency and endurance, reports Fein. Furthermore, the angle grinder requires fewer wearing parts, has longer service intervals and incurs lower maintenance costs throughout its life.

Fein’s new CG 15 grinder also offers users extensive protection through a variety of safety features driven by user feedback, including restart protection, kick-back check, jam monitoring and an efficient brake which brings the tool to a stop in less than 2 seconds.

Another tool in the range is the Protago high-safety angle grinder, created in collaboration to set new safety standards in the industry. Bouygues, the construction giant, had previously banned the use of compact angle grinders following a serious accident. However, together with Fein, the teams developed the Protago with safety features that almost fully eliminate the serious risks associated with improper operation.

The Protago, in addition to nine other tools in this launch, is now available on the 18 V AMPShare battery platform, powered by Bosch.
For further information www.fein.com/en_uk

Modified alcohols offer future-proof solution

With the increasing regulatory pressure on PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances), which might impact the future use of fluorinated solvents in industrial parts cleaning, many companies are racing to find direct drop-in replacements. Safechem, a chemical service company and solvent risk management expert, offers a long-term perspective – the use of modified alcohols in an airtight degreaser as a future-proof cleaning solution.

Safechem’s modified alcohol solvents – Dowclene 16-series and Dualene 1601 S – are chlorine-free, bromine-free and fluorine-free. Produced synthetically, modified alcohols are stable in temperature and pH. With both non-polar and polar properties, they can effectively clean off non-polar contaminants such as oils and greases, just as effectively as certain polar contaminations like cooling emulsions or solids such as particles and abrasives.

Modified alcohols have a flashpoint and application must therefore take place in vacuum closed cleaning machines, or so-called airtight/airless degreasers. Users currently operating open/semi-open equipment are likely to see the initial equipment expenditure as a hurdle. They might also be apprehensive about changing their cleaning process altogether.
However, compared with the high consumption of fluorinated solvents (PFAS-free or not) and their running costs due to emissions and drag-out losses, a closed cleaning machine can practically pay itself back due to the many cost savings it enables – in addition to increased process safety and minimised environmental impact.

Put simply, Safechem says that solvents used in closed machines are much cheaper than fluorinated products. Furthermore, solvents can be recycled and reused much more efficiently thanks to the built-in vacuum distillation unit. Another advantage is the potential to extend solvent lifespan by using stabilisers, resulting in less consumption and fewer bath exchanges.
For further information www.bit.ly/42Bgzpa