INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Eight-axis CNC machining centre

CNC specialist NUM has helped Chinese machine builder Original Point Machine Tools (OPMT) to develop an eight-axis CNC machining centre capable of processing many different types of materials, including metal, ceramics, glass and cemented carbide.

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The project came about after OPMT was asked by Guangdong University of Technology to develop a machining centre that combined high-speed laser cutting and milling capabilities. The result is the ML125 multi-function machining centre, which is entirely controlled by NUM’s latest-generation Flexium+ 68 CNC platform. Movement of the laser head is controlled by five NUMDrive
X servo drives.
For further information www.num.com

More AM solutions available

AddUp, a French manufacturer of metal additive manufacturing (AM) machines and production lines, has acquired another French AM machine producer, BeAM.

The Strasbourg firm is a specialist in directed energy deposition technology, which is dedicated to the production of large and highly complex parts, feature addition, and component refurbishment, including the repair of aero-engine parts. As AddUp is represented in the UK, Ireland and Middle East by sole sales and service agent Geo Kingsbury, the latter is now able to offer a considerably increased AM equipment portfolio in those markets.
Based in Clermont-Ferrand, AddUp was formed as a joint-venture company by Fives Group and Michelin on 1 April 2016. With a US subsidiary, the business employs over 180 people worldwide, including 100 engineers working on the development of new AM solutions. BeAM was created four years earlier, has subsidiaries in Cincinnati and Singapore, and employs more than 45 staff. The company has a broad range of customers in France and other countries, particularly in the aerospace, defence and energy sectors.
For further information www.geokingsbury.com

Prima Power opens technology centre

Prima Power has opened its new technology centre in Neufahrn, near Munich.
As a result, the company is now able to better serve the entire German-speaking market and be much closer to the regions where its machines are already in use or where the group sees the highest growth potential.

Paolo Musante, Prima Power GmbH managing director, states: “The new technology centre will serve as a hub of excellence and have a strong focus on customer satisfaction, since from this location we can offer our customers highly efficient support, especially for the industrial areas of Southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Prima Power GmbH in Neufahrn employs 55 people (of which 35 are dedicated to customer support) and covers an area of 1800 sq m. Around half of the area hosts the demonstration centre, where live trials of the latest technologies and products can be attended by a large number of guests. In addition to offices, two conference rooms are available with a direct view of the demonstration centre.
In line with Prima Power GmbH growth strategy, the aim is to have a team of 70 employees in the new subsidiary by 2020. The expansion is mainly foreseen, in addition to sales and service, in application and training staff. Overall investment for the new Prima Power GmbH facility (including building works and machines) amounts to €4m.
For further information www.primapower.com

Fastest plasma-cutting speed in its class

Esab has released its Cutmaster 60i hand-held air plasma-cutting system, a three-phase, 400 V unit that weighs 16.8 kg and provides a rated output of 7.6 kW at 50% duty cycle (at 60 A).

Cutmaster 60i produces a recommended cut of 16 mm, has a maximum sever thickness of 38 mm and, according to Esab, provides the fastest cutting speed (at any thickness) in its class.
Esab says that users will immediately notice the oversized, high-visibility LED display on the Cutmaster 60i, which communicates more information, more clearly, at a glance and from a distance. The display provides the necessary feedback to optimise parameter settings and cut quality. Cutmaster 60i also has a best-in-class ability to hold the arc for longer, which helps when cutting in awkward positions and when performing gouging operations.
The system includes the new SL60QD 1Torch, which offers a quick disconnect feature for the selective replacement of either the torch handle assembly or torch leads at a lower cost than replacing both together (a necessity with one-piece torch/lead assemblies). Moreover, integral gas-optimiser technology helps ensure premium cut quality and performance by precisely regulating air pressure; although users can also adjust the gas pressure manually. When users set amperage, mode of operation, torch type, and add torch lengths to extend cutting reach by an additional 7.6, 15.2 or 22.9 m, the machine uses its colour display to provide recommended gas-pressure settings.
Low amperage especially benefits small shops and garage users as they might not have a large breaker like an industrial facility.
For further information www.esab.com

Automated storage supports laser facility

De Cromvoirtse, a Netherlands-based steel stockholder and contract manufacturer of small batches of semi-finished sheet metal components, has invested in two interlinked, automated storage systems from Kasto and connected them to three laser-cutting machines to help speed deliveries.

The Uniline store and Unitower B ensure fast, accurate, damage-free material handling, while the supplier’s warehouse management system keeps track of stock and ensures smooth order processing.
Manufacturing capacity at De Cromvoirtse includes press brakes in addition to the laser-cutting machines. About 90% of products are made from steel, stainless steel or aluminium sheet, the remainder being
pipes and sections.
The double-sided Uniline store from Kasto has nearly 1000 storage locations, with special pallets for different materials and sizes, as well as for remnants. A stacker crane travels between the two rows of the facility, storing and retrieving material automatically as needed.
“Kasto worked with us right from the planning phase to develop new ideas for the design,” says Janwillem Verschuuren, one of the company’s two managing directors. “They told us clearly what wouldn’t work, and
what would.”
For example, it proved possible to connect two flat-bed laser-cutting machines seamlessly to achieve continuous material flow.
The latest Unitower B storage system, which was installed in a few weeks without interrupting the stockholder’s operations, consists of a double tower and stacker crane. Rising to a height of 8.5 m and with a compact footprint, it has space for almost 80 pallets, each of which can hold sheets measuring up to 3000 x 1500 mm. An additional laser-cutting machine is connected to the Unitower, with loading and unloading being performed automatically.
For further information www.kasto.com