INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Bystronic installs smart factory in Australia

Lowa Lighting is implementing its future vision with a smart factory from Bystronic. It is the first such Bystronic installation in the country. Lowa Lighting specialises in supplying commercial, industrial and architectural lighting solutions to the Australia and New Zealand markets. Founded in 2010, the company has its headquarters in Sydney.  

The history of the first Bystronic smart factory in Australia began in 2022, when Lowa Lighting won a contract to furnish the public schools in the state of New South Wales with its environmentally friendly LED lighting solution, replacing the existing fluorescent lamps. 

The first discussions between Lowa and Bystronic began, laying the foundation for the design of an automated system. Once the contract was signed, planning of the installation commenced in early 2023. Under the direction of the Bystronic Solution Centre in Niederönz, Switzerland, and with the support of the local project team, the cross-divisional team implemented the project successfully. The facility commenced operations in March 2024. 

Lowa’s smart factory comprises the following: a ByStar 3015 laser cutting system with 4 kW power; a BySort sorting system; a ByTrans Modular automation system with five towers and storage system; a bending cell with Xpert Pro 150/3100 sheet metal bender and bending robot, connected to the storage system; and a mobile bending cell featuring an Xpert 80 compact press brake.

More information www.bystronic.com

Mazak releases CNC system for tube cutter

At the recent Tube 2024 exhibition in Düsseldorf, Germany, Yamazaki Mazak displayed its FT-150 Fiber laser tube processing machine for the high-speed cutting of small-to-medium diameter tubes. Machine control was courtesy of a new tube cutting CNC making its first appearance in Europe.

The Mazak FT-150 Fiber can cut round, square and rectangular pipe with diameters up to 152.4 mm – dimensions typical to the construction, furniture and architectural industries, as well as vehicle body frames.

Mazak’s SmoothTUBE CNC features a new GUI (graphical user interface) that makes the utilisation of the control simple and intuitive. Also, a new HMI (human machine interface) has a number of operator benefits, including easy production scheduling and programming. With the dual monitor it is also possible to run multiple applications simultaneously, such as production status and cutting conditions. The large 21.5-inch screen on both monitors enables checking of the machine status with the touch of a finger.

The FT-150 Fiber can cut a wide variety of materials, such as mild steel, stainless steel, copper, brass and aluminium, and can perform processes that include cutting, tapping and thermal drilling.

Users of the machine can maximise productivity by reducing the requirement for secondary processes such as punching, deburring and hole tapping. Key features include support units for long workpiece materials to prevent sagging during the cut, a tilting laser head that enables accurate bevel cutting and an internal spatter guard which prevents burning of the internal workpiece surface. Among the options is a rotary tool spindle for tapping holes and thermal drilling.

The FT-150 Fiber comes with automatic functions that include auto-profiler calibration and nozzle cleaning to provide a further productivity boost.

More information www.mazakeu.co.uk

Smaller F-series HMC released by Heller

Following the launch by Heller of the F 6000 travelling-column five-axis horizontal machining
centre (HMC) at the EMO trade show in Hanover last September, the German manufacturer
is introducing another new model. The F 5000, with its smaller working volume of 800 x 850
x 1100 mm, has 1000 x 1000 x 1400 mm axis travels and comes with many different types of
in-house developed, integrated motor spindles.
A speed cutting unit in combination with the HSK-A 100 tool shank (HSK-A 63 optional)

reaches speeds of 15,000 rpm. As an alternative, a dynamic cutting unit is suitable for
universal use at up to 400 Nm and 12,000 rpm. For heavy-duty machining, a power cutting
unit with a gear spindle and 1146 Nm of torque output is available.
The redesigned spindle head is of compact design and high rigidity thanks to the robust 45°,
backlash-free kinematics and short distance between the bearing and tool shank. Swivel
range is 350° for flexible five-sided machining. Customers can specify either a chain-type
magazine for up to 150 cutters or a rack-type magazine with 425 positions for HSK-A 100
tools (489 for HSK-A 63).
Featuring a cast-iron structure, modular design and narrow width at 3.7 m, the machining
centre is configurable to various small-to-medium batch production applications, ranging
from general mechanical engineering through powertrain component machining to
aerospace. The production platform is just as efficient for the manufacture of single parts as
it is for series runs, reports Heller.
As with the F 6000, the F 5000’s capabilities are expandable to include turning at up to 700
rpm, interpolation turning, gear cutting, grinding, power skiving and even friction stir
welding.
For further information www.heller.biz

Big Investment Proves Ideal for KeraJet

KeraJet, an international digital printing machinery manufacturer has recently invested in a
new large-capacity gantry-type mill from Zayer. The machine, an Altea 8000, with its large X-
, Y- and Z-axis travels of 8000mm x 4350 x 1500 mm and 8000 x 3000 mm fixed table, is
producing machine frames, engine bridges and other performance-critical parts that go into
its digital printing machines. Zayer machines are available in the UK exclusively from Mills
CNC.
Says Jose Luis Granell, head of the machining workshop at KeraJet: “Our digital printing
machines are accurate, but such precision is only possible as long as the components that go
into them are machined to tight tolerances and exacting surface finishes. It’s worth bearing
in mind that when it comes to our print-head technology, our machines are working day-in,
day-out for customers achieving accuracies in the micrometre and even nanometre range.”
The Altea 8000 works an eight-hour shift but, if there is call for repeat components and the
process is secure and repeatable, it runs unattended through the night to improve KeraJet’s
productivity significantly. Flexibility is another major benefit of the Zayer machine.
“We can use the machine in pendulum mode machining workpieces up to 4000 mm in
length in both work zones, as well as machining longer parts using the full stroke of the
machine,” explains Granell. “In addition, the Altea 8000 features 30° and 45° heads. When
machining aluminium, for example, we use the 30° head with electro-spindle at 18,000 rpm.
We use the 45° head when machining steel and select the electro-spindle if and when
superior surface finishes are necessary.”
The Altea 8000 also has several onboard software apps that help improve the machine’s
performance and process reliability.
For further information www.millscnc.co.uk

EcoVadis Silver rating for Ceratizit

EcoVadis, which describes itself as the world’s largest and most reliable provider of corporate sustainability ratings, has certified tooling specialist Ceratizit with a ‘Silver’ sustainability rating for its commitment to environmental, social and ethical causes. Ceratizit is pursuing ambitious goals with its sustainability strategy, already realising the first milestones. Moving forward, one of the company’s main targets is to be CO2-neutral by 2025 via a 35% reduction in emissions. By 2040, Ceratizit will look to achieve its strictest goal for cutting greenhouse gases: reducing emissions by 90% to net zero.

More information www.ceratizit.com