INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Simplifying machine misalignment checks

Pinpoint Laser Systems, a manufacturer of precision laser measurement and alignment products, has launched its latest laser-alignment tool, the 90-Line-D, for monitoring and detecting misalignment and other errors in machinery and equipment.

The 90-Line-D is Pinpoint’s newest product innovation for aligning and checking planar squareness and parallelism on assemblies, machinery and equipment. No fuss, easy set-up, and fast, precise results ensure that users can now check gantries, web and roll equipment, presses and CNC machine tools for peak alignment and efficiency. The 90-Line-D is compact, portable and available in wired and wireless versions.
An accurate pentaprism, for bending the laser precisely 90°, redirects an incoming laser beam to a new ‘square’ laser reference line. By rotating the front nosepiece of the 90-Line-D, this laser reference line forms a laser plane for additional alignment and measurements. A fine-adjust feature is included to help direct the laser beam exactly where required, while a built-in detector monitors the incoming laser beam and actively corrects for any misalignments or small errors.
The 90-Line-D is machined from a solid block of aluminium with a durable anodised finish, and features stainless steel components and internal glass optics.
The 90-Line-D is fully compatible with Pinpoint’s Microgage PRO line and works well with a variety of laser receivers, mounts and software options for the Microgage PRO Smart Display and Capture software products.
For further information www.pinpointlaser.com

Okuma stages EMO retrospective

Earlier this month, Okuma Europe (which is represented in the UK by NCMT) welcomed over 200 visitors to its recently established Aerospace Centre of Excellence in Krefeld, Germany.

In keeping with the location, the manufacturer presented innovations introduced at EMO (Hanover, September 2017) with a particular focus on aerospace machining. Highlights included Okuma’s award-winning Laser EX series of super multi-tasking machines, the smart factory solution Connect Plan, as well as the manufacturer’s latest automation technologies.
In addition, Okuma demonstrated the cryogenic machining of a titanium disc on an MA-600 HII horizontal machining centre.
For further information www.okuma.eu

Machine tool orders soar in Germany

In the third quarter of 2017, order bookings in the German machine tool industry rose by 13% compared with the previous year’s equivalent period. Domestic orders were up by 31% and exports by 5%, while in the first three quarters of 2017, total order bookings increased by 3%.

“The gratifying upturn in our orders is even more marked in the most recent figures,” says Dr Wilfried Schäfer, executive director of the VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association). In September, orders in all three categories showed a double-figure rise, thus recording the steepest growth of the year to date. Domestic orders, in particular, witnessed a dramatic climb, soaring by 46%.
For further information www.vdw.de

GPC invests in key SMS Group equipment

Global Pipe Company (GPC), based in Jubail, Saudi Arabia, has placed an order with the SMS Group for the supply of a mechanical expander and a hydrostatic pipe tester for its new manufacturing line that will double the company’s annual production capacity from 200,000 tons to 400,000 tons. “With a total of 17 expander machines installed since 2002 and 19 hydrotesters supplied since 1971, SMS Group presented us with strong references in pipe mills offering a similar scope of business as ours,” says Ahmed Hamed AL Khonaini, shareholder and managing director of GPC.

Baoshan Iron & Steel Co. Ltd.

The new 10 MN mechanical expander will be installed in the finishing area of the new line. In addition to stress relieving the welded pipes, the expander will give GPC’s products their final shape, ensuring that the dimensions are within the required range according to the applicable specifications. “By doubling our nominal capacity to 400,000 tons, we will be in a position to allocate production slots for neighbouring markets within the GCC and MENA regions without neglecting our home market,” says Khonaini.
For further information www.sms-group.com

Successful EMO for Noritake

Noritake launched two new sawing machines at September’s EMO exhibition in Hanover, Germany. This machine offers an ultra-high speed cutting mechanism that reduces the cycle times by a factor of three against conventional machines, says Japan-headquartered Noritake, which is represented in the UK by Sawcraft. Specifically designed to house an ultra-thin 1 mm blade, the thinner kerf increases material yield. Special attention has also been given to the design of a new guidance system to ensure cutting accuracy.

The second model to be showcased was the NCS-7/80. This machine offers an ultra-high speed cutting mechanism that reduces the cycle times by a factor of three against conventional machines, says Japan-headquartered Noritake, which is represented in the UK by Sawcraft. For example, when sawing 45 mm diameter S45C mild steel, a conventional machine would take 5.4 seconds. However, using the NCS-7/80, this cycle time can be reduced to 1.8 seconds. Despite this high speed, the machine still maintains a precision cutting accuracy of ±0.1mm.
Overall, the complete range has attracted enquiries from across Europe, from the smallest capacity model in the range to the very largest 250 mm diameter capacity machine. Sawcraft’s managing director Alan Hicks reports an overwhelming success from the show: “We were inundated with enquiries from all over Europe, with a particular degree of interest from manufacturers in Germany and France. EMO provides a pivotal platform to launch new products into the market and we look forward to doing the show again in the future.”
For further information www.sawcraft.co.uk