With Tribos ER, Schunk is bringing its patented technology of polygonal tool clamping to sliding- and fixed-head lathes, and rotary transfer machines.

Pilot user Zisterer Präzisionsdrehteile GmbH in Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany, has reduced machining time in demanding milling applications by one third, while significantly improving surface quality.
There are good reasons why Schunk is now unlocking the potential of polygonal clamping for lathe chuck technology. For one, the requirements for sliding-head lathes are constantly growing. At the same time, customers are facing considerable pressure to lower prices, particularly for high-volume parts. For Zisterer Präzisionsteile, Schunk’s decision to standardise the Tribos ER came just in time. The manufacturer of hydraulic components was regularly experiencing process disruptions due to tool breakages, as tools with a long overhang and cutting diameters of 2 mm could not withstand the vibrations that occur. Halving the speed was the only way to ensure the process stability required for high-volume production. Instead of 12,000 to 15,000 rpm, the company had to accept speeds of 6000 rpm and the resulting reduction in cycle time.
“The Tribos system saved us around 200 seconds at a total machining time of just below 600 seconds,” explains Uwe Walikewitz, head of CNC longitudinal turning at Zisterer. “The rotational speed was only reduced by 500-1000 rpm as compared with the recommended cutting parameters, and lo and behold, it worked perfectly.”
Tribos polygonal tool holders with ER tapers come in two different versions: the slim Tribos-Mini ER is suitable for micro cutting, while the Tribos-RM ER is aimed at high-volume machining at high rotational speeds.
For further information www.schunk.com

Gleason Corp has signed a definitive agreement with Daetwyler Industries AG and MDC Max Daetwyler AG to acquire all assets of Daetwyler’s Faessler gear-honing business.

Under the Faessler brand, Daetwyler has been producing gear-honing machines, related work holding and tools for the high-precision, hard finishing of gears. The business operations of the Faessler division, which has approximately 70 employees, will be acquired by a new Gleason subsidiary, Gleason Switzerland AG, and will continue to operate at its current locations in Bleienbach and Dietikon, both in Switzerland.
For further information www.gleason.com

Okuma is now offering an entry-level five-axis machining centre that is capable of handling workpieces up to 600 mm in diameter and 400 mm in height, with a maximum weight of 300 kg. The Genos M460V-5AX, which is available in the UK from NCMT, features a 48-station tool magazine.

Featuring a spindle that offers 15,000 rpm, the machine can achieve high productivity for a range of applications. Providing a maximum power output of 22 kW and up to 199 Nm of torque, the spindle is said to process demanding materials with ease. The spindle’s five sets of bearings are lubricated with oil mist and do not therefore require maintenance. By providing through-spindle coolant, the spindle adds to the shower coolant function. Manufacturers benefit from a three-year spindle warranty that is not limited by number of shifts or operating hours.
For efficient and accurate measuring, the machining centre is equipped with a Renishaw RMP60 touch probe, while the X, Y and Z axes possess an absolute scale. In addition to the hardware, intelligent technology apps like ‘Machining Navi’ for reducing chatter or ‘5-Axis Auto Tuning System’ for compensating geometrical errors, further enhance the machine’s accuracy. As a result of these measures, Genos M460V-5AX achieves a positioning accuracy of 2 micron in X, Y and Z.
For highest precision, the 5-axis machining centre is equipped with Okuma’s Thermo-Friendly Concept. This technology includes a symmetric, box-build, double-column construction made of cast iron. To eliminate any negative influence from the coolant and hot chips, the machine possesses a thermo-shield design. In addition, five sensors in the machine and three sensors in the spindle measure temperature changes and allow for active compensation of thermal deformation.
For further information www.ncmt.co.uk

Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) chief executive Dr Clive Hickman is spearheading a drive to establish a technology partnership with India.

The far-reaching link-up aims to increase trade, investment, technology and skills transfers between the UK and the sub-continent. Dr Hickman says the potential opportunities are enormous; the UK and India are among the world’s top manufacturing nations with a combined output of around £750bn. A major leadership summit – the India-UK FutureTech Festival – was attended by Dr Hickman in New Delhi last December.
For further information www.the-mtc.org

Last year’s acquisition of BTA Heller by Sunnen now sees the BTA Heller division relocated to Sunnen’s long-time headquarters in St Louis.

Sunnen says that the move will allow further development of deep-hole tooling, systems and processes for precision bore applications. The relocation from Troy, Michigan will be completed by 31 March, with key personnel making the switch.
“The transfer of knowledge between the two companies has already created unique value propositions, and Sunnen’s strong sales and service network will deliver this expertise to our customers,” says Chris Miltenberger, Sunnen president and COO.
For further information www.sunnen.com