Wenzel and Renishaw collaborate

The Equator gauging system from Renishaw is to be controlled with Wenzel’s WM Quartis metrology software for programming and evaluation purposes. The move comes as part of a co-operation deal between the two companies and will be incorporated into the Wenzel product portfolio.

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“Many thousand Equator test units are already in use throughout the world, enabling high repeatability and thermally robust process monitoring on the shop floor,” says Rainer Lotz, vice president EMEA of Renishaw. “A direct connection to the Wenzel software is an import extension of our solutions for users within the shop-floor area.”
Bastian Luithardt, Renishaw product manager, adds: “Workpiece data recorded by Equator is used for automatically updating the tool offset of the respective machine tool. The Equator concept, which enables flexible and newly programmable measurements, is optimal for use in an automated environment. A stable manufacturing process and continuous documentation therefore results for every workpiece.”
At the same time, Wenzel is launching another compact portal measurement machine for direct production use. The SF55 CMM, like the bigger SF87, offers high travel speeds and acceleration, while its corrosion-free guideways are made of high-precision, hand-finished granite. Indeed, the guideways are completely covered and protected against contamination, while the controller and PC are integrated in the machine for a minimal footprint.
The SF55 CMM has passive vibration damping and can be equipped with active vibration isolation. Due to the good accessibility and ‘Wenzel automation interface’, the shop-floor measurement system is suitable for automation and integration into the production line.
“After the success of our SF87 CMM, the more compact SF55 is the logical response to the requirements of the shop floor,” says Dr Heike Wenzel, managing director of the Wenzel Group.
For further information www.wenzel-group.com

Efficient work holding for five-axis machining

Under its sole agency agreement with Japanese manufacturer, Kitagawa, 1st Machine Tool Accessories is offering the new Swift Klamp to machinists in the UK and Ireland.

The rigid work-holding product uses proven HSK tool interface technology to provide a secure, low interference, quick-change clamping arrangement that resists bending forces generated during metal-cutting operations.
Designed for five-axis machining applications but equally suited to use on three- and four-axis machines, the system consists of three parts: clamping head, work holder and workpiece. The head is supplied either as a manually or automatically operated HSK clamp, while the work holder comprises an HSK interface at the base and multiple options at the top for holding the workpiece, including flange clamps and side clamps.
The most efficient clamping system, however, is the dovetail interface. Here, a small clamping surface area allows enhanced tool access, while its low profile maximises the machine tool’s Z-axis travel. Workpieces up to 200 mm square or diameter can be accommodated.
The final element is the workpiece to be machined, which in the case of the dovetail holder requires a slot to be pre-milled into the raw billet to match the holder profile. A solid-carbide cutter is available specifically for this purpose. Additionally, pre-machined dovetailed EN3B (070M20) steel and HE30 (6082) aluminium blanks can be supplied in various sizes for immediate use.
The manual clamping head has a versatile flange that suits multiple mounting options. Available in HSK-A40, HSK-A63 and HSK-A100 sizes, it may be set up off-line and the work holder can be exchanged within 10 seconds, minimising machine downtime.
For automated manufacturing processes, a hydraulically-actuated clamping head is available in the same HSK sizes, with seating detection and air-blow.
For further information www.1mta.com

22,000 customers

There are now more than 22,000 companies using the licences and/or services of Lantek, spread over more than 100 different countries on five continents.

Lantek specialises in the development, sale and integration of control and management software solutions for sheet metal and fabrication plants, including CADCAM, MES and ERP. Of the existing 22,359 customers which rely on Lantek solutions, the majority come from the laser-cutting sector, followed by the oxy-cutting/plasma, punching and waterjet.
For further information www.lamteksms.com

3D Systems expands client list

Three global manufacturing companies – Nokia, RMS Co and GF Precicast – have invested in additive manufacturing solutions from 3D Systems to transform their production workflows.

Through the integration of 3D Systems’ Figure 4 or DMP platforms, these manufacturers are able to achieve design freedom, increase agility, scale production and improve overall cost of operations.
Nokia has added 3D Systems’ Figure 4 Standalone to its ‘Factory in a Box’ mobile manufacturing solution – demonstrating how manufacturers can stay ahead of the demands of industry 4.0. Meanwhile, RMS Co, a supplier to medical device manufacturers, has expanded the use of 3D Systems’ DMP platforms to apply metal additive manufacturing to new applications. Lastly, GF Precicast, a technology provider for the aerospace and industrial gas turbine (IGT) markets, has integrated 3D Systems’ metal additive manufacturing platform as a cost-effective alternative to the investment casting of super alloys.
For further information www.3dsystems.com

Fully automatic panel bending

The new TruBend Center 7030 bends parts up to 30% faster than its predecessor, while its tool change cycles are up to 70% quicker.

For the first time, Trumpf has also included the option of equipping the panel bender with a loading and unloading station.
The operator can stack various piles of metal blanks on the right-hand side of the machine. A suction cup initiates the automated loading process by picking up a sheet whilst simultaneously checking that it has not taken two by mistake. This gripper device deposits the blank on a brush table, with a positioning bar ensuring it is aligned correctly. A loading carriage then moves the blank into the machining area, simultaneously removing the most recently bent part from the machining area, and transporting it to a conveyor belt. During this loading and unloading process, the TruBend Center 7030 continues to operate.
The task of changing bending tools is handled by the ToolMaster. As well as increasing its axis speed, Trumpf engineers have also added a feature that allows it to change multiple small tools at the same time. These improvements reduce machine set-up time by up to 70%. The TruBend Center 7030 also features the offline TecZone Fold programming solution that enables operators to program many parts in just a few clicks of the mouse. TecZone Fold takes a matter of seconds to generate the bending program and 3D simulation of the parts, including collision monitoring.
Panel bending machines such as the TruBend Center 7030 are particularly adept at fabricating complex parts with radius bends, short side lengths, and narrow profiles. When it comes to producing parts with these kinds of specifications, this alternative bending technology is quicker than die bending machines, says the company.
For further information www.trumpf.com