INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Taps help thruster firm move in right direction

When a large new vessel is put to sea, it is usually equipped with a tunnel thruster that acts as a side propeller system to enhance manoeuvrability at berth and in open waters.

Tunnel thrusters, sometimes called bow thrusters, provide captains with increased control and can help to quickly turn a ship around.
Brunvoll AS is a global manufacturer of seaworthy motion systems with headquarters in Molde, Norway. The company has supplied more than 8000 complete side propeller systems mounted on more than 5000 different cruise ships, supply boats and navy vessels.
Machining of the side propellers, which are manufactured from nickel-aluminium bronze alloy, is conducted by the company mostly unmanned and at night. This demands a highly accurate and dependable machining process and cutting tools. Here, the versatility of Dormer’s Red Shark tap allows it to be used at different torque levels, such as when threading the propeller at the attachment to the rotor. To ensure optimal productivity and safety, the unmanned machines are slowed to a cutting speed of 25 m/min (the ideal cutting speed in the nickel-aluminium bronze is 35 m/min). However, in tests, Brunvoll ran the Red Shark up to 50 m/min – exactly double the required rate.
The Red Shark is one of several material-specific taps available from Dormer Pramet. Each tap features a colour ring on the tool shank denoting material suitability, promoting quick and easy tool selection. Dormer Pramet is set to add more tools to its assortment of Shark Line taps. This includes a range of yellow-ring taps for structural, carbon and low-alloy steels, and blue ring for stainless steels.
For further information www.dormerpramet.com

Latest shoulder mills eliminate finishing

The newly developed VSM490 series of Widia indexable-insert shoulder mills available from ITC is said to eliminate finishing operations and improve productivity when machining a wide variety of materials. In addition, the VSM490 double-sided 90° inserts offer four cutting edges to reduce costs.

This latest addition to the Widia Victory Shoulder Mill (VSM) range includes a complete line of insert grades that support the machining of cast iron, stainless steel, steel, titanium, aluminium and a host of aluminium alloys. The cutter’s versatility is facilitated by a positive geometry and the availability of both 10 and 15 mm inserts, along with an extensive selection of tool holders.
A total of four insert geometries are offered, including ALP geometry for low-power machine tools cutting non-ferrous materials, and ML geometry for stainless steel and light machining on a variety of other materials. For more robust applications, MM geometry incorporates features designed to bring greater strength to machining operations, while the heavy-duty MH grade is first choice for high-performance roughing on cast iron, chiefly credit to edge-protecting geometry and additional margins.
The VSM490 gives customers a full slotting solution with 100% radial engagement, shoulder milling with step-down capabilities that provide low or high engagement, as well as low or high radial engagement. Furthermore, the VSM490 can be applied to contour milling, Z-axis plunge milling, trochoidal slot milling and HPC face milling.
For further information www.itc-ltd.co.uk

Anca invests in renewable energy

Tool-grinding machine specialist Anca is one of the first businesses to team up with Australia’s fastest growing business-power retailer, Flow Power, to buy energy generated by renewable sources.

This renewable power, sourced from Ararat Wind Farm, can be used in real time to offset grid electricity consumption, potentially saving thousands of dollars in energy costs. Anca Group CEO Grant Anderson says: “We are always looking for opportunities to reduce our impact on the environment and, as a manufacturing plant, the partnership with Flow to access renewable power will bring us tremendous benefits.”
For further information www.anca.com

Full seminar programme available

The seminar programme at this year’s MetalTech is said to stand apart from other manufacturing-related exhibitions by tackling the challenges and opportunities of Industry 4.0 head-on.

This new paradigm in industrial production integrates computers and automation in revolutionary ways, making use of the Internet of Things (IoT) to enable manufacturing processes that are immediately more efficient, accurate and adaptable to changing requirements.
The show will also stage its regular business matchmaking programme, which has already helped countless buyers and sellers meet suitable business partners from Southeast Asia and beyond. This service is available exclusively to those who pre-register their attendance, and will ensure that visitors arrive with a schedule of appointments already in hand, ready to make the most of their time at the show.
For further information www.metaltech.com.my

EIA hosts UK pavilion at MetalTech

Machine tools and metalworking buyers will have even more opportunities to expand their international offerings with the introduction of a new UK pavilion hosted by Engineering Industries Association (EIA) at this year’s MetalTech.

In fact, the show will feature a total of five international pavilions, including South Korea, China, Singapore and Taiwan, set to showcase their manufacturing technology and innovations. Interested UK-based companies that would like to exhibit at the show can contact Karen Finegold from the EIA on
+44 (0)7815 867390, or karen.finegold@eia.co.uk for more details.
For further information www.metaltech.com.my