INTERNATIONAL NEWS

SpiTrex uses Flexxbotics for robot-driven marking

Flexxbotics reports that SpiTrex Orthopedics (SpiTrex), a specialist in global medical device contract manufacturing, has selected the Flexxbotics solution for robot-driven manufacturing with autonomous process control in its Foba laser marking workcells.

The Flexxbotics solution enables robots to communicate directly with the Foba laser marking system and change jobs in real-time and within sequence, reducing changeover time to 10 minutes, twice a week. The robots also connect with the vision system, verifying the laser marking on each part to sortautonomously based on the results, thus ensuring closed-loop quality for higher yields.

“Flexxbotics is the only robot machine-tending software solution we found capable of delivering the precision, cycle time and closed-loop compliance required,” says Brett Gopal, senior vice president of operations at SpiTrex Orthopedics. “We’re impressed with Flexxbotics’ autonomous process control using robots, and the ability to close-the-loop by alerting upstream and downstream workcells of quality problems based on automated inspection results, which is quite unique.”

Software by Flexxbotics directs the robots to use the Cognex camera images to determine the pass/fail status of each part, sending alerts with the images to pre- and post-process workcells upon detecting non-conformance issues that need correcting.

Flexxbotics changes jobs in real-time and within sequence, enabling job change-over at SpiTrex in less than 10 minutes, as opposed to requiring an hour or more of an engineer’s time to set-up the workcell for a new job.

“The autonomous changeover process, coupled with the closed feedback loop functionality, enables us to produce extremely high tolerance parts through continuous flow which reduces the overall lead time by over 20%,” says Gopal.

For further information www.flexxbotics.com

Five-year warranty for Bodor laser components

Bodor Laser is releasing anexclusive service policy: five-year warranty care for a trio of core Bodor laser components: the BodorGenius laser head, BodorPower laser source and BodorThinker control system.

Supported by tens of thousands of trials, the integrated design of the core laser components demonstrates Bodor Laser’s holistic approach to tackling various industry challenges related to mismatched assembly.

“We came up with this integrated core laser components concept to assure customers of an effortless production process and excellent product quality,” says Adam Liu, CEO of Bodor Laser’s overseas marketing centre. “Problems such as connection failure, high maintenance costs and contamination risks have been bothering metal fabricators for a long time, but the integration of core laser components solves them once and for all.”

To provide the best user experience, Bodor Laser’s integrated design, production, testing, and delivery for the three core laser components reduces the failure rate, ensuring quality throughout transportation, delivery and maintenance.

With MTBF (mean time between failure) exceeding 45,000 hours in burn-in ageing tests, Bodor Laser says itreduces industry bottlenecks by designing an integrated technique for the three core laser components, ensuring compatibility and stable equipment running conditions for its users.

“Bodor Laser is committed to providing customers with the best solutions and services,” says Liu.“The integration of laser components results from our continuous R&D, and we’re confident it will bring a revolutionary service experience to clients. With the five-year warranty, we want to show our customers that we stand behind our products and value their trust and satisfaction.”

For further information www.bodor.com

Mazak releases new CNC machining centres




Now available from Mazak is the company’s new HCN-4000 NEO and HCN-5000 NEO horizontal machining centres and its VariAxis i-700 NEO five-axis vertical machining centre. The new NEO models achieve enhanced precision, boasting three times better than ISO positioning accuracy. Additionally, continuous machining accuracy sees stabilisation thanks to the new ‘Ai Thermal Shield’ function, which uses advanced algorithms to determine compensation according to fluctuating temperature. The result?Improved concentricity for machining operations such as end-to-end boring.

As part of Mazak’s Go Green environmental initiative to achieve a 50% reduction in its carbon footprint by 2030, the new NEO series represents the most environmentally friendly to date. Mazak has committed to making all machines manufactured in 2030 at least four times more efficient than machines manufactured in 2010. To create a more sustainable future and reduce consumption costs for manufacturers, the latest NEO series incorporates a raft of technology enhancements to deliver a 30% reduction in energy consumption for the VariAxis i-700 NEO and 24% for the HCN-4000/5000 NEO.

Environmental performance sees further gains via the Energy Saver Dashboard, with a graphic display of power and CO2 consumption for users to identify trends via a visual indicator.In addition, a Mazak Smooth Coolant system automatically optimises coolant volume discharge to drive additional energy savings. The Smooth Coolant system also incorporates a sludge removal performance system that keeps the coolant sump clean and prolongs the service life of cutting fluids.

If required, Mazak can pair the machines with an integrated high-rise PalleTech system featuring the latest PMC NEO software. With a new graphical user interface offering tutorial-style data entry and interactive set-up guidance, PMC NEO includes advanced system monitoring, resource management and ERP integration capability.
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk

Compact five-axis multi-tasking machine




All-round speed of operation is the essence of the new Speedio M300Xd1 30-taper, five-axis mill-turn centre from Brother, which is represented in the UK and Ireland by Whitehouse Machine Tools.The machine is proficient at milling and drilling within a 300 x 440 x 380 mm working envelope and is equally well suited to turning components on the C-axis torque table, which sits on a -30/+120° swivelling A-axis trunnion. Machine shops can produce components up to 450 mm in diameter and weighing up to 75 kg.

Single set-up multi-tasking avoids additional set-ups, promotes high accuracy machining and minimises component handling. All machining takes place in a compact footprint of fractionally over 4 sq m.

Rivalling 40-taper prismatic machining equipment in terms of rigidity and high metal removal rate, the M300Xd1 is more agile and significantly more productive, reports Whitehouse Machine Tools. Furthermore, it typically draws 80% less power, giving it industry-leading environmental performance and low running costs.

The 380 mm Z-axis travel is nearly 25% longer than that of sister Speedio model M300X3, providing the new machine with a larger volume for fixturing components and allowing the application of longer tools up to 250 mm. New also is the ability to specify a 28-tool magazine, rather than one with 22 positions.

Research carried out by Brother indicates that electric and hybrid vehicles will account for more than half of global sales by 2030. With its prismatic machining and turning capability, the M300Xd1 is suitable for the production of complex traction motor cases and other components used in such vehicles. Further target markets include the conventional automotive sector, as well as the valve, roller bearing and medical industries.
For further information www.wmtcnc.com

Walter and Heller sign partnership agreement




Walter AG and Heller Maschinenfabrik GmbH have commenced a technology and development partnership that focuses on integrated customer solutions for the machining industry. The companies aim to test, optimise and market their products through the joint development of sustainable machining processes. Walter has held a strong partnership with Heller for many years, both as a customer and supplier. Several Heller machines are in use at Walter’s technology centres and production facilities.

Heller CEO Dr Thorsten Schmidt says: “Walter is an excellent technology partner with extensive tooling expertise and a wealth of experience in machining. Furthermore, Walter provides the tooling technology that can give our customers a direct productivity advantage in metal cutting. Together with the strengths that Heller brings to the table, we’re able to forge a strong partnership in the areas of development and technology.”
For further information www.heller.biz