INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Workpiece palletising and handling systems

1st Machine Tool Accessories has introduced a range of workpiece handling cells that allow components to be clamped manually on to pallets, automatically loaded into store and subsequently retrieved for robotic transfer into and out of machining centres.

The equipment, which is manufactured by French company Engineering Data, is suitable for long periods of unattended and lights-out running. According to 1st MTA, the modular pallet-handling systems are said to increase production output from non-pallet-change machining centres by up to 50%.
A representative model, EasyBox T30, was demonstrated on the 1st MTA stand at MACH 2018 in April. The compact system with a footprint of just 2 sq m can be configured to feed a machine from the left, right or front. Two versions are available for storing 42 or 64 pallets. They are equipped with a three-axis robot capable of handling components up to 200 x 200 x 180 mm, and a maximum load of 30 kg, including workpiece, fixture and pallet.
Half a day training is all that is needed for an operator to be conversant with the system, which is designed to automate small to medium batch production. The single load/unload station is positioned at an ergonomic height at the front of the store for convenient workpiece clamping and unclamping. An adjacent touch-screen panel for operating the robot is easily interfaced with all major types of machine tool control including Heidenhain, Siemens, Fanuc and Mazatrol.
A larger EasyBox T100 in a compact version for handling 100 kg pallets is also available. Additionally offered are: a rail-mounted linear version, L-range, for feeding up to six machining centres; and a 350° R-range rotary version for feeding one or two machining centres.
For further information www.1mta.com

Grinding specialist sold

Körber has sold its machine tool business operating under the United Grinding Group.

The new ownership structure consists of a strategically oriented pool of investors organised by the Swiss BZ Bank Aktiengesellschaft. United Grinding Group comprises eight major brands: Mägerle, Blohm and Jung surface/profile grinding machines; Studer, Schaudt and Mikrosa cylindrical grinders; and Walter and Ewag tool grinding machines. “BZ Bank is delighted to be able to offer its customers the opportunity to invest in a high-yielding international industry group,” states Martin Ebner, CEO of Swiss BZ Bank.
For further information www.grinding.ch

Eight-axis CNC machining centre

CNC specialist NUM has helped Chinese machine builder Original Point Machine Tools (OPMT) to develop an eight-axis CNC machining centre capable of processing many different types of materials, including metal, ceramics, glass and cemented carbide.

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The project came about after OPMT was asked by Guangdong University of Technology to develop a machining centre that combined high-speed laser cutting and milling capabilities. The result is the ML125 multi-function machining centre, which is entirely controlled by NUM’s latest-generation Flexium+ 68 CNC platform. Movement of the laser head is controlled by five NUMDrive
X servo drives.
For further information www.num.com

More AM solutions available

AddUp, a French manufacturer of metal additive manufacturing (AM) machines and production lines, has acquired another French AM machine producer, BeAM.

The Strasbourg firm is a specialist in directed energy deposition technology, which is dedicated to the production of large and highly complex parts, feature addition, and component refurbishment, including the repair of aero-engine parts. As AddUp is represented in the UK, Ireland and Middle East by sole sales and service agent Geo Kingsbury, the latter is now able to offer a considerably increased AM equipment portfolio in those markets.
Based in Clermont-Ferrand, AddUp was formed as a joint-venture company by Fives Group and Michelin on 1 April 2016. With a US subsidiary, the business employs over 180 people worldwide, including 100 engineers working on the development of new AM solutions. BeAM was created four years earlier, has subsidiaries in Cincinnati and Singapore, and employs more than 45 staff. The company has a broad range of customers in France and other countries, particularly in the aerospace, defence and energy sectors.
For further information www.geokingsbury.com

Prima Power opens technology centre

Prima Power has opened its new technology centre in Neufahrn, near Munich.
As a result, the company is now able to better serve the entire German-speaking market and be much closer to the regions where its machines are already in use or where the group sees the highest growth potential.

Paolo Musante, Prima Power GmbH managing director, states: “The new technology centre will serve as a hub of excellence and have a strong focus on customer satisfaction, since from this location we can offer our customers highly efficient support, especially for the industrial areas of Southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Prima Power GmbH in Neufahrn employs 55 people (of which 35 are dedicated to customer support) and covers an area of 1800 sq m. Around half of the area hosts the demonstration centre, where live trials of the latest technologies and products can be attended by a large number of guests. In addition to offices, two conference rooms are available with a direct view of the demonstration centre.
In line with Prima Power GmbH growth strategy, the aim is to have a team of 70 employees in the new subsidiary by 2020. The expansion is mainly foreseen, in addition to sales and service, in application and training staff. Overall investment for the new Prima Power GmbH facility (including building works and machines) amounts to €4m.
For further information www.primapower.com