INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Actuating tool with four inserts for stator bores

Actuating tools are the means of choice for creating turning geometries on machining centres. When it comes to machining stator bores on electric motors, tools with indexable inserts and fine boring tools were state-of-the-art until now. Mapal has developed a complex four-blade actuating tool to round off its solution portfolio for stator drilling.

With its solution, Mapal has come up with a highly productive machining process for the series production of stator housings used in electric motors. The solution offers productivity and precision as well as short cycle times with a process of three steps: pre-machining, semi-finishing and fine machining at machining diameters of more than 220 mm and with an HSK100 connection. A sophisticated actuating tool is part of the solution.

“With an actuating tool, the internal machining of the bore can be handled by a machining centre, which means turning is no longer necessary,” says Oliver Müller, customer service specialist at Mapal’s centre of competence for actuating tools. The entire machining process is thus executable with a single set-up. The only thing needed to use the actuating tool is a spindle with a drawbar – a so-called Uaxis in the machining centre.

“When it came to machining parts for electric cars, we were at our customers’ side with our tools from the very beginning,” says Müller.“Today, we help them to increase flexibility while machining the parts reliably and with short cycle times.” The actuating tool achieves more flexibility by ensuring both fast machining of varying contour trains in the bore and micron-level precision.
For further information www.mapal.com

Strong sales at injection moulding machine specialist

Despite a difficult trading environment, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Group, a specialist in all-electric injection moulding solutions, generated a sales turnover of €762m last year, aided by “substantial growth” in countries such as theCzech Republic, Hungary and Italy. This figure was only 6% lower than the historic accomplishments reported in 2021, when the group achieved its highest turnover to-date. CEO Gerd Liebig cites the dramatic impact of material availability and costs as the rationale for the sideways development, reporting that this inevitably had a negative effect on the company’s overall sales and profitability.
For further information www.sumitomo-shi-demag.eu

GrindingHub launchesdigital platform

Trade fair organizer VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association), in co-operation with the IndustryArena business network, is now offers the grinding technology industry a top-tier platform under the 360°SPECIAL brand, even in the years when no trade fair is held. On 23 May 2023, companies will have the opportunity to pitch their new products and technologies to an international online audience and make contact with potential customers. The event will be presided over by an expert moderator and include scientific presentations on current topics.
For further information www.grindinghub-digital.de

Like a brand new machine after 21 years

“Quality never goes out of style,” they say. Well for Water Jet Sweden cutting machines quality never goes out of performance either! The recent refurbishment of a 21-year-old waterjet cutting machine to almost-new condition by the in-house team recently demonstrated this perfectly, making it ready for many more years of quality cutting.

In 2001, Water Jet Sweden sold the machine to a Norwegian waterjet contract cutter. After 21 years of cutting, the customer decided to upgrade its workshop by investing in a new machine. Like many other well-maintained machines from Water Jet Sweden, the performance was still good, and a general ‘facelift’ could be worth the investment. The customer service team at Water Jet Sweden seized the opportunity and bought the old machine.

“We’ve supported the customer since the machine was delivered in 2001, and have good knowledge of both operating hours and service history,” says Ronny Martinsson, customer service manager at Water Jet Sweden.

Looking at the refurbished machine, it is difficult to imagine that it has been in production for 21 years. Although it looked a little more run-down than when purchased, after a thorough clean, the potential was clearly visible. Every renovation project is different: this time the frame was repainted, new table grids installed, hoses replaced and, most importantly, the electrical system replaced with a new Fanuc CNC system. The system change included everything from cables, motors and electrical cabinets to a modern PanelOne operator panel.

The refurbished machine is now ready for delivery to a new customer in Germany, a forging company that will use the machine as a workstation in its workshop. It cost about 60% of what an equivalent new machine would cost.
For further information www.waterjetsweden.co.uk

DNE Global range extended with LC4 model

TheEngineering Technology Group (ETG) says that the success of DNE Global fibre laser cutting technology has been phenomenal since its introduction to the UK last year. Now, ETG is extending the line-up with the arrival of the LC4. The latest high-quality cost-effective fibre laser cutting machine has a larger capacity and a host of features that reach beyond the smaller LC3 variant.

The new LC4 machine is suitable for a wide range of applications, from thin to thick sheets of steel, stainless steel, aluminium and non-ferrous metals. Delivering greater profit per part with its low investment level, comparatively low operating costs and low maintenance requirements, the LC4 is available in four variants: the LC4 2000, 3000, 4000 and 6000 with each of the four models signifying the respective laser power from 2 to 6 kW.

The LC4 can accommodate sheets up to 4 x 2 m with a cutting area of 4120 x 2110 x 100mm, and a maximum workpiece weight up to 1300kg. Depending upon the selected model and material in-cut, the LC4 can cut sheets from 5 to 20 mm thick at high speed and with a changeover time of just 27 seconds. The maximum positional speed in parallel axis X/Y is 100m/min with a maximum positional speed of 140m/min.

When it comes to precision, the new LC4 has a bilateral repeatability positioning of one axis (R) of 0.5mm,offering an average bilateral deviation of one axis (M) of 0.1mm with an edge detection precision level of ±0.5mm. Regarding footprint, the compact machine has a floor area of 13.1 x 6.4m with a height of 2.74m.
For further information www.engtechgroup.com