BMA opts for Uniport 6000 machining centres

For over 170 years, BMA AG has been a well-known developer and manufacturer of machinery to perform all of the core processes involved in sugar production. In addition to its headquarters in Braunschweig, Germany, BMA has subsidiaries in China, Tunisia and the USA.

“As well as manufacturing our own products, such as centrifuges, we make our comprehensive fleet of machinery available to other companies on a contract manufacturing basis,” explains Jens Dohnalek, the production manager for mechanical machining, mechanical engineering, drum manufacturing and electrical and control cabinet construction at BMA.

The CNC machines from Unisign are also located in his department. BMA purchased its first Unisign machines in 1993, a Uniport5 and a Univers6. Two years later, the company took delivery of its first Uniport6 machine, which just like the Univers has been in operation ever since. In 2018, BMA expanded its fleet of machinery once more with the purchase of two Uniport6000 machines.

BMA machines large quantities of various components made of steel, stainless steel (or duplex stainless steel) and cast materials on its Uniport6000 machines.

“The workpieces that we produce include items such as centrifuge components, housings, scaffolding trestles, tube plates, support plates and tubular shafts, and these machines are also able to accommodate larger components,” says Dohnalek. “That’s very important, as it enables us to machine welded assemblies complete. That wasn’t the case before. We had to do the mechanical machining first and the welding afterwards, which was a big disadvantage.”

As a final point of note, BMA made a conscious decision to purchase Uniport6000 machines that offer pendulum machining, so the company can operate using parallel set-ups.

For further information www.unisign.com

Variant-rich small batch production with LPPs

Zhengzhou Hengda Intelligent Control Technology specialises in the development, production and sales of key components for intelligent control systems in coal mining.

To produce the often-large components in such a way that they meet the high safety requirements of mining, Zhengzhou Hengda uses machine tool technology from DMG Mori.There are now 14 NH 5000 DCG horizontal machining centre on site,all withlinear pallet pools (LPPs), which play a decisive role in production.

Initially, DMG Mori automated six models in 2018 using an LPP with 48 pallet positions and three set-up stations. The existing two machines were integrated as well. This was followed in 2020 by another LPP with 48 pallet positions and two set-up stations. Here, four automated NH 5000 DCGs were put into operation. The satisfaction with these solutions is reflected in the latest investment.

“In 2022, we purchased another four NH 5000 DCGs with LPPs, which arrived at the end of 2023,” says Wang Haipeng, head of machining at Zhengzhou Hengda. “When it comes to orders for major projects, especially in the area of R&D, we can rely 100% on machines supplied by DMG Mori.”

Zhengzhou Hengda is satisfied with what DMG Mori has accomplished in recent years. Notably, the management team is impressed by the customer-oriented consulting and on-time implementation of projects. Even more important, said the company, was the handling of individual requirements.

“In particular, the integration of existing machines into a new LPP and the associated change in production layout were a major challenge that DMG Mori mastered perfectly.During the adaptation and commissioning, which took almost 20 days, almost all machines remained in normal operation, so production capacity was not affected.” For further information www.dmgmori.com

Plus version of Hurco VMC has uprated features

One of Hurco’s best-selling three-axis vertical machining centres (VMCs), the VM30i with a 1270 x 508 x 508 mm working envelope in a compact footprint of approximately 4.1 x 2.7 m, is now available as a Plus version. The machine has been upgraded from a singlescreen to a twin-screen WinMax control and offers a 12,000 rpm/15 kW spindle instead of a 10,000 rpm version. Additional new benefits include 20 bar through-spindle coolant, LCD remote jog and an auger for efficient swarf evacuation.

Philip Carr, an applications engineer at Hurco Europe in High Wycombe, gave an insight into the advantages of the upgraded machine. He started by demonstrating the power of the spindle, with a Kyocera SGS seven-flute end mill ripping into mild steel to a depth of 50 mm. He was running a program with tool paths created using UltiPocket, a milling software option within Hurco’s WinMax programming and control software that allows the boundary of a component to be defined and then pockets or islands within it. The approach eliminates complex calculations and shortens part programming time.

Carr pointed out that the addition of a second control screen allows the generation of a graphical component image as cycle programming takes place and the display of a full simulation after it is complete. Operators receive a precise visual representation of the cycle and the ability to slow down the simulation, enhancing understanding and analysis.

“Utilising a Hurco VM30i Plus with our WinMax twin-screen control system, a manufacturer can take advantage of a powerful piece of production equipment that doubles as a VMC and a CADCAM system,” states Carr.

For further information www.hurco.co.uk

Building giant press brakes at Ursviken

The sheet metal solution and service providers at Ursviken have a reputation for thinking big. Indeed, the team is currently constructing the largest press brake in the industry. The Optima will have a bending length of 73 ft, a bending force of 5500 US tons and stand 33 ft above floor level. This enormous press brake will be anchored in a pit 20 ft deep. According to Anton Nordqvist, technical sales support for Ursviken, it will take operators more than 1 minute to walk around the machine. Seven front and back gauges, 11 sheet followers and approximately 500 ft of linear rails are key components of the design/build, with the company expecting completion in first quarter of this year.

“A single, large press brake can give a manufacturer more flexibility to bend bigger, longer parts because you aren’t limited by a C-frame configuration,” explains Jamie Sims, general manager at Ursviken Inc.

The new press brake showcases the company’s dedication to delivering cutting-edge solutions that redefine the capabilities of the metal fabrication industry. Notably, the machine features state-of-the-art automation technologies that significantly enhance productivity, precision and ease of operation. Automatic upper tool changes, variable die tooling and fully programmable front and back gauges are just a few examples of the cutting-edge features that contribute to the machine’s performance. 

Nicklas Jakobsson, CEO at Ursviken Technology, says: “The sale of the largest press brake ever built showcases our dedication to providing our customers with the most advanced and innovative solutions available in the market.” 

Ursviken says its milestone machine is the latest in a line of industry firsts that include automated sheet flipping technology, integrated CNC crowning, CNC variable die tools and the company’s proprietary FlexiCrown CNC crowning system.

For further information www.ursviken.com

Significant step forward for Clijsters BVBA

Clijsters BVBA has commissioned a new SafanDarley H-Brake 700T Ultra. This hydraulic press brake has a capacity of 700 tonnes and can bend sheets up to 7 m long. The investment marks a significant step forward in Clijsters’ production capacity.

The decision to invest in the new press brake stemmed from the need to replace an old machine. Managers at Clijsters BVBA searched for a modern press brake that would better meet its specific production needs. After extensive research and consultation, the company chose SafanDarley, partly because of the company’s ability to provide tailor-made solutions.

SafanDarley adapted the new hydraulic press brake to Clijsters BVBA’s specific requirements. Providing significantly improved accuracy and precision, the H-Brake will play a crucial role in increasing production efficiency and delivering high-quality products that meet Clijsters BVBA’s strict standards.

One of the added options is SafanDarley’s advanced laser angle measuring system: E-Bend L-Blue. This dedicated angle measurement system allows Clijsters BVBA to measure the angles of the material that requires bending in real time using laser technology. Measurement data is then automatically used to control the press brake, minimising human error and raising production quality to a higher level.

Eric Clijsters, director of Clijsters BVBA, speaks enthusiastically about the investment: “The purchase of our new press brake marks an important milestone. We’re always delighted to increase our production capacity and invest in the latest technologies. This modern press brake allows us to meet the ever-growing demand of our customers while ensuring the highest quality.”


Frank Clijsters, co-owner of Clijsters BVBA, adds: “We are convinced that this new press brake will enable us to serve our customers even better and exploit new business opportunities.”

For further information www.safandarley.com