INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Fixture for jet engine turbine manufacturer

The OP-20 is part of a suite of fixtures that bespoke work-holding solution specialist Brown & Holmes has provided for use in the manufacture of aircraft turbine blades. In this case, the Singapore-based client had a good idea of what required machining at different operations. The challenge for the Brown & Holmes team was to ensure repeatable and accurate work holding as the company was dealing with highly complex geometry.

The project involved machining the aerofoil on both sides and around the leading and trailing edges. Platform machining additionally takes place on the fixture and, as this feature is in long-term service, it also involves machining the tip of the blade off in the same process. Access is key to ensuring a good tool path and producing the part in a single, uninterrupted operation.

As a two-part fixture, the dovetail holds the root of the aerofoil in the bottom half, where the accuracy of hold is key. The tip of the blade is then held at the top, so even if there are only microns of inaccuracy, there will be millimetres out at the top of the blade. The two halves must be completely in line to ensure that there is no variation or thickness of the finished machine parts.

Brown & Holmes has been supporting this fixturing solution for over 10 years, with some 19 fixtures used in the client’s operation in Singapore. The company supports this process with cutting trials in the UK, tool manufacture in Italy and delivery to the end user in Singapore.

More information www.brownandholmes.co.uk

Goodfellow acquires Potomac Photonics

A supplier of advanced materials and metals has completed its first acquisition to give it greater capability and an immediate manufacturing footprint in the US. Goodfellow, which is owned by Battery Ventures, has purchased micro-fabrication specialist Potomac Photonics in a strategic deal that will help the firm increase its presence in the rapidly expanding medical device sector and microfluidics. It marks a strong start to 2024 for the Huntingdon-based business and comes only a few weeks after agreeing a significant distribution contract and launching a new brand to drive ambitious growth targets.

More information www.goodfellow.com

Mapal names new chief sales officer

With effect from 1 July 2024, Claudio Gabos is the new chief sales officer of precision tool manufacturer Mapal Group and thus becomes part of the Mapal executive team. He takes over the role from Siegfried Wendel. Joining Mapal in 2015, Gabos has been managing director of the Italian subsidiary since 2017. He was also responsible for strategic projects on a global scope.

“We are delighted that we’ve been able to recruit Claudio Gabos for the position, a trusted colleague who has the ideal qualifications for this role,” says Dr Jochen Kress, president of the Mapal Group. “We’re convinced that he’ll make an important contribution to our further development.”

More information www.mapal.com

Industry leaders head aerospace consortium

Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division and Boeing have formed the Rotor Dynamics Consortium (RDC) in collaboration with some of the biggest names in the aircraft and aerospace engine industries. The RDC will define, drive and standardise rotor dynamics modelling and simulation requirements, with the goal of enabling airframe and aerospace engine manufacturers to overcome the engineering challenges of more sustainable and efficient propulsion systems in a safe way.

The consortium will build on finite element methods embedded throughout design, validation and safety certification workflows to apply next-generation multi-physics simulations. Notably, RDC members will meet to discuss and formulate strategies on the best application of MSC Nastran, considered the most accurate digital alternative to expensive physical testing.

More information www.hexagon.com

Kerf Developments reveals laser focus

The showstopper on the stand of Kerf Developments at the MACH 2024 exhibition in Birmingham, UK, earlier this year was undoubtedly the new Linc-Cut Fiber 1530A fibre laser cutter. According to Kerf, the machine offers dynamic kinematics, rigidity and precision.

Available as a 3, 6 or 12 kW machine initially with a 3 x 1.5 m or 4 x 2 m bed, the Linc-Cut Fiber 1530A synchronises laser cutting and axis movements to deliver accuracy, repeatability and speed. An auto-focus laser head with automatic gas and cutting height calibration delivers the necessary repeatability, while a compact laser source with fibre core diameter of 75 μm supports high cutting quality.

The new arrival also incorporates a CNC system that integrates with two surveillance cameras to control and monitor all machine operations. With drawing software and automated nesting, the control includes a database of parameters for all material types and thicknesses. The machine offers rapid axis movements of 110 m/min and positional accuracy of 0.03 mm.

Alongside the Linc-Cut Fiber 1530A at MACH was the new Kerf Ultra, a machine that provides both oxy-fuel and plasma cutting in a single machine. For existing customers of Kerf models, the new Ultra represents a technological leap forward that marks the arrival of next-generation profile cutting technology. With improved speed, precision, repeatability and cut quality over previous models, the new Ultra achieves elevated parameters by introducing a brand new motion system and new linear slide technology that sits upon an enhanced machine frame design.

For further information www.kerfdevelopments.com