A steelmaker based in Poland is saving nearly €3m per year after switching to NSK´s sealed-clean KVS bearings in its roll mill.

Such has been the superior performance of these four-row tapered roller bearings that the company has adopted the solution for all of its tandem cold mills. NSK KVS bearings are said to offer 2-4 times longer life than standard bearings. There are many reasons behind this elevated level of performance. For instance, a special type of bore seal averts the build-up of negative pressure that can cause the entry of water through the main seals.
For further information www.nskeurope.com

Lantek has announced a collaboration agreement with Euromac, an Italian supplier of CNC punching and bending machines, as well as automated systems for sheet metal production.

The agreement reached by both companies enables control of a ‘sorting cell’ programmed with a Kuka KR 10 robot using two punching software solutions from Lantek: Lantek Expert Punch-Plus and Lantek Stackmaster. Combined, these solutions enable the automation of the discharge line for parts and their subsequent palletisation and storage.
For further information www.lantek.com

To help manufacturers return to work following the easing of lockdown restrictions, automation specialist FANUC is offering all interested parties in Europe its RoboGuide and CNC Guide efficiency-boosting software programs as free trial versions until the end of September 2020.

RoboGuide is a program with which both the motion of FANUC robots and the overall production process can be simulated, while CNC Guide allows users to write, simulate and test part programs on their computer. In addition, machine tool builders can use CNC Guide to support their customers remotely.
For further information https://special-offer.fanuc.eu/en/

Modern technologies are continuously creating new demands on the surface finish of moulded plastic parts. For high-gloss surface demands, mould tool designers should aim to use a steel grade with good ‘polishability’.

Tyrax ESR is a new high-hardness, corrosion-resistant tool steel from Uddeholm, developed for applications with extreme demands on surface finish.
The surface finish of a mould is dependent on the polisher’s technique, in combination with the microstructure and cleanliness of the tool steel. Uneven hardness across the surface means an uneven removal of material during the polishing process, where harder areas will resist abrasion better than softer areas. Uneven hardness may be the result of impurities in the steel and segregations.
Two of the most common polishing defects are pitting and orange peel. Pitting looks like scattered pinholes dispersed over the surface, and is usually due to pull-outs of hard particles, such as carbides or oxides. The best way to avoid such problems is to choose a very clean steel, such as an ESR grade, with fine and evenly distributed carbides. Pitting can also arise if the mould is stored in a humid environment, where localised corrosion attacks may cause pits at the mould surface. In such cases, a corrosion resistant tool steel is required.
Orange peel means that the surface morphology looks similar to an orange peel, as caused by plastic deformation at the mould surface. The best way to reduce the risk of orange peel is to choose a tool steel with a homogeneous microstructure, such as an ESR grade, in combination with high hardness.
The chemical analysis of Uddeholm Tyrax ESR enables the polisher to reach a high gloss surface finish in three polishing steps, compared with five steps for AISI 420 ESR, reducing the polishing time by 40-50%.
For further information www.uddenholm.com

A new universal cylindrical grinding machine from Swiss specialist Kellenberger majors on providing high value at the entry level, while offering reliability, precision and high productivity via its state-of-the-art intuitive programming function.

Available in the UK from Jones & Shipman Hardinge, the Kellenberger 10 (K10) combines proven technology using many Kellenberger components and sub-assemblies from the established K100 machine, coupled with the latest programming technology. For instance, Kellenberger Blue teach/programming software enables semi-skilled operators to use the machine, thereby optimising use of the work team. Kellenberger Blue solution software is accessed through a FANUC 0i-TFP CNC control with a 19” touch screen.
In standard format, the machine can accommodate workpieces up to 1000 x 400 mm in size with a top table weight capacity of 100 kg. The table profile is also a proven Kellenberger design with the full length wheel dressing interface located on its rear to reduce re-tooling work and extend wheel dressing possibilities.
K10 models feature generous X and Z-axis strokes (365 mm in X, 1150 mm in Z), collision-free operation and dressing ratios. The low-maintenance, high-precision linear guide on the X axis and the flat sliding V guides on the Z axis are equipped with optical absolute linear position measuring systems. Furthermore, the B axis is designed as an automatic indexing axis (1° Hirth gearing) with high positioning accuracy and a +30°/-210° swivel range.
The K10 also offers the ability for users to expand or customise its capability by adding a range of optional equipment such as a second external grinding wheel, larger grinding wheels, a tailstock, gap control and balance sensors, and measurement control via probing.
For further information www.hardinge.com