Chris Hellier, who has spent his career specialising in manufacturing has joined XYZ Machine Tools as commercial manager. He brings with him extensive experience across a range of industries, as operations manager at a leading automotive component manufacturer, and managing director at both a vehicle adaptation specialist and an industrial fan company. A common thread during all of these previous roles was his purchase of XYZ machines within their production environments.

“It’s fair to say that I had a good knowledge of XYZ Machine Tools prior to this opportunity,” he says. “That knowledge, combined with the chance to put my skills to use in what will be an all-round role of overseeing the ongoing growth and development of XYZ Machine Tools, made it a straightforward decision to take on this position.”

For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

The Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) facility in Rathcoole has recently installed a new Doosan Puma 2600SY II turning centre with work-holding technology from Hainbuch at the heart of the installation.

Working in collaboration with machine supplier Mills CNC, Hainbuch installed its SpannTop mini quick-change dead-length chucks on both spindles of the Doosan Puma, with an 80 mm chuck on the main spindle and a 52 mm system on the sub-spindle. The SpannTop mini incorporates a chuck with a dismountable end-stop plate that ensures precision workpiece clamping without the pull-back effect. SpannTop mini permits quick changeover from outside to inside diameter clamping, or three-jaw clamping, thanks to the flexibility of the modular system.

IMR’s machining applications specialist Chris Judge says: “To demonstrate the full technical capability of the Doosan Puma you need to be using the best work-holding and tooling systems available, so we were delighted to see the Hainbuch system selected.”

The design of the SpannTop mini significantly reduces interference contours and improves tool accessibility, making it suitable for limited space work envelopes. According to Hainbuch, with its compact design and lower mass than alternate systems, the SpannTop mini minimises inertia loss when compared with three-jaw chucks. The dead-length variant installed on the Puma machine converts to a fully functional ‘bar chuck’ when the end-stop plate is removed. Providing workpiece clamping without axial movement of the clamping head, the SpannTop mini clamps workpieces with a short collar or shoulder, even providing part pick-off without the pull-back effect.

Hainbuch UK supplied the SpannTop mini complete with machine adaptions, changing guns and a complement of 10 clamping heads on each spindle for holding a complete variety of components.

For further information
www.hainbuch.com

The VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association) expects production in the German machine-tool industry to grow by 6% to around €12.6bn in 2021. At the association’s annual press conference, chairman Dr Heinz-Jürgen Prokop (pictured) stated that the improved mood in the economy is raising the willingness to invest. “After two years of great restraint, there is now a strong need to make up ground,” he said.

China is proving to be the principal driving force behind the economic green shoots, particularly for the automotive industry. In Europe, too, the expectations are that investment will rise again by 10% after the major slump. Oxford Economics, the VDW’s forecasting partner, is predicting strong growth of 35% for orders in 2021. According to the VDW, there were already indications of this improvement in November and December.

For further information www.vdw.de

Victor has extended its line of machine tools with the Vcenter AX630 vertical machining centre. Available in the UK from GM CNC, the machine incorporates a B+C-axis rotary table to facilitate the five-axis machining of large parts.

The Vcenter AX630 has rigidity and precision incorporated into every aspect of the machine, something characterised by the trunnion-type B+C-axis table with its built-in, backlash-free roller cam mechanism seated on the base. In terms of speed, the B axis can rotate at up to 17 rpm with 6880 Nm of torque, whereas the C-axis rotation is capable of 33 rpm at 1960 Nm.

Notably, the Vcenter AX630 further optimises structure stiffness with the moving column and spindle, retaining an optimised centre of gravity. Front slideways fully support the spindle when the Y-axis travel is shorter than 300 mm.

The 9000 kg workhorse comes as standard with the FANUC 0i-MF CNC to drive tools around the 700 x 500 x 500 mm work envelope, while the 12,000 rpm spindle features a Big Plus BBT-40 interface. Powering the spindle is a continuous 11/15/18.5 kW motor.

Supplied with up to 30 tools via a twin-arm type fast-change tool barrel, customers can also select the machine with the option of 40, 48 or 60 tool positions. Offered as standard are a spindle oil cooler, fully enclosed splash guard, rigid tapping, remote MPG hand wheel, hand tools and toolbox, built-in work light, automatic power-off system, levelling pads and a screw-type chip-removal system.

For further information
www.gm-cnc.com

Starrag UK is offering potential customers of gantry mills a new range of machines by complementing its Starrag Group Droop+Rein brand with the machine portfolio built in Australia by H&H Machine Tools. The collaborative agreement provides UK customers with access to a range of five- and six-axis machines offering capacities to meet every need and price tags to suit all budgets, says Starrag. Importantly, too, the scope of optional extras available across both ranges makes available a wide choice of machining technologies for single set-up, multi-task machining of all material types.

H&H Machine Tools’ managing director Thomas Hegmann says that “H&H five-axis gantry machines can utilise a choice of spindles, milling heads and work envelopes to suit individual requirements”.
Starrag UK’s director for sales and applications, Lee Scott, adds: “Previously, we only focused on very complex applications – usually requiring automated head changing – but now we can discuss any gantry application. In addition, Starrag UK is well-versed in H&H build techniques and technologies, so machine installation, commissioning, service and maintenance are all catered for professionally.”
The agreement between Starrag and H&H follows the success of the companies working closely to deliver – and subsequently commission and maintain – the largest ever machine to enter operation in Australia: a Droop+Rein gantry mill with X, Y and Z-axis traverses of 14,000 x 13,000 x 3500 mm, and an 11 m rotary table.

Now, with H&H gantry mills being available in the UK for the first time, potential customers have access to four main five-axis machine ranges from the Australian manufacturer.

For further information
www.starrag.com