ModuleWorks buys Celeritive Technologies

ModuleWorks, a specialist in tool-path generation and simulation technology for digital manufacturing, has acquired Celeritive Technologies, the developer of VoluMill CAM software. Both Celeritive and ModuleWorks have been strategic partners to many global manufacturing organisations for many years. The companies expect that the acquisition will enable more technology to become available to both sets of customers in the near future.

“This strategic acquisition aligns perfectly with our vision of being at the forefront of our industry,” says Dr Yavuz Murtezaoglu, founder and managing director of ModuleWorks. “We are enthusiastic about the opportunities that this integration presents and are committed to a seamless transition that maximises the benefits for our partners, employees and stakeholders.”

For more information www.moduleworks.com

UR and MiR open new robotics hub

Universal Robots, a Danish collaborative robot (cobot) company, and MiR, a Danish manufacturer of AMRs (autonomous mobile robots), have open their new 20,000 sqm headquarters in Odense.Partners from UR and MiR’s global ecosystems attended the event, including NVIDIA and Siemens. The opening included a panel discussion featuring Deepu Talla, VP of robotics and edge computing at NVIDIA, Rainer Brehm, CEO of Siemens factory automation, and Ujjwal Kumar, group president of Teradyne Robotics. They discussed the use of physical AI, underscoring the transformative power of automation for workplaces.

For further information www.universal-robots.com

Driven-tool CNC turning centre launched

Hurco introduced a new range of four driven-tool CNC turning centres at the MACH 2022 exhibition, during which the 8-inch chuck version was exhibited. At the 2024 show last month it was the turn of the 10-inch chuck variant to appear: the TMX10MYSi. All models include a programmable Waxis to position the tailstock or sub-spindle.

The turning centres offer higher specification and performance than the established TMi and TMMi models. Among the major differences are higher power and speed plus a larger, heavier machine frame and the addition of a Yaxis to allow more versatile machining.

Notably, the servo-driven turret carries 12 VDI 40 radial tools rather than axial tools (as on the/TM Mi range). Each station offers a maximum rotational speed of 5000 rpm and a peak output of 6.3 kW at 2190 rpm. Hurco’s control software allows users to take advantage of the manufacturer’s proprietary conversational routines for milling operations, making the package attractive for small-volume production requirements.

Two smaller capacity Hurco CNC lathes with 8-inch chuck capacity were also on show, the TM8i and the TM8Mi with axial driven tools. These latest models have a larger spindle bore than their predecessors, as well as roller guideways and a more compact footprint. As a further point of note, the improved control features concurrent programming, estimated runtime, error check and recovery restart, and enhanced performance during rigid tapping.

For further information www.hurco.co.uk

High-specification lathe at competitive price

At the MACH exhibition in Birmingham, UK, last month, NCMT showcased a number of Okuma turning centres, including the competitively priced Genos L3000-e-MYW. The display saw the machine fed automatically with shaft-type parts by a Cellro CoMate collaborative robot (cobot). The maximum turning diameter of the Genos L3000-e-MYWis 300 mm while speed of the 22 kW spindle is up to 3800 rpm, all in a compact footprint of 2.5 x 1.9 m.

This 6-tonne turning centre featuring sub-spindle and a 12-station turret with Yaxis and live tooling offers robust construction. An integral spindle motor and rigid guideways make it suitable for the precision machining of many materials, including exotic alloys. User-friendly features include a separate coolant tank for quick servicing, and easy spindle access to speed maintenance and machine set-up, and reduced chip accumulation for less machine downtime during removal.

Okuma’s One-Touch IGF is an option in the OSP control. The One-Touch IGF allows users to describe part geometry including diameter, length, grooves and threads using simple commands, from which the system draws the defined shape and then develops the part program automatically.

Also on the stand was an Okuma MultusU3000 multi-tasking lathe with a 240° swivelling B-axis head and HSK-A63 (optionally Capto C6) 12,000 rpm/22 kW spindle for turning or milling components up to 1500 mm between centres. The tool magazine has 40 stations as standard, but is optionally available with a capacity of 80 tools.

Okuma’s MultusU3000 features Okuma’s own linear scales for high-accuracy positional feedback. Servo motors deliver feed rates of up to 50 m/min in the X and Z axes, and up to 40 m/min in the 250 mm Yaxis. Together with the Caxis on the main spindle, the machine is capable of fully interpolative five-axis (X,Y,Z,B,C) machining of freeform surfaces.
For further information www.ncmt.co.uk

Showtime for Hanwha sliding-head lathes

To showcase the breadth of its machine tool offering, Dugard gave the Hanwha brand of sliding-head turning centres prominence on its stand at the MACH exhibition in Birmingham, UK, last month.The XD10, XD20 III and XDI 32 modelstook centre stage.

The smallest of the three, the Hanwha XD10,offers 10mm bar capacity for the mid-to-highvolume machining of small components. With a 15,000rpm/3.7kW spindle and eight front and six back-end turning tools, the XD10 is a flexible proposition. The machine also provides four ER11 front-end tools and four ER11M cross-drilling tools with eight ER11 sub-spindle back-working tools.

Next to the Hanwha XD10 was the larger Hanwha XD20 III. Available with FANUC or Siemens control, the XD20 III is for machining both short and long components with its extended Z1-axis stroke of 240mm and Z2-axis stroke of 286mm. With five cross-drilling stations as standard and a Y2 back-tool feature, the XD20 III demonstrates high productivity levels. Flexibility comes from the presence of six OD tooling stations, five ER16M positions for front and back working, five ER16 cross-drilling positions (with an additional two for off-centre drilling),and eight back-end tools configured as four fixed and four driven positions.

The third Hanwha machine on the stand was the XDI 32. The largest of the three Hanwha machines at MACH, the XDI 32 provides strong performance characteristics that stem from a robust machine construction, providing the base for precision, repeatability and smooth surface finish. The 32 mm diameter capacity machine features a 6500rpm sub-spindle and up to 26 tools.

For further information www.dugard.com