THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS

Automated storage supports laser facility

De Cromvoirtse, a Netherlands-based steel stockholder and contract manufacturer of small batches of semi-finished sheet metal components, has invested in two interlinked, automated storage systems from Kasto and connected them to three laser-cutting machines to help speed deliveries.

The Uniline store and Unitower B ensure fast, accurate, damage-free material handling, while the supplier’s warehouse management system keeps track of stock and ensures smooth order processing.
Manufacturing capacity at De Cromvoirtse includes press brakes in addition to the laser-cutting machines. About 90% of products are made from steel, stainless steel or aluminium sheet, the remainder being
pipes and sections.
The double-sided Uniline store from Kasto has nearly 1000 storage locations, with special pallets for different materials and sizes, as well as for remnants. A stacker crane travels between the two rows of the facility, storing and retrieving material automatically as needed.
“Kasto worked with us right from the planning phase to develop new ideas for the design,” says Janwillem Verschuuren, one of the company’s two managing directors. “They told us clearly what wouldn’t work, and
what would.”
For example, it proved possible to connect two flat-bed laser-cutting machines seamlessly to achieve continuous material flow.
The latest Unitower B storage system, which was installed in a few weeks without interrupting the stockholder’s operations, consists of a double tower and stacker crane. Rising to a height of 8.5 m and with a compact footprint, it has space for almost 80 pallets, each of which can hold sheets measuring up to 3000 x 1500 mm. An additional laser-cutting machine is connected to the Unitower, with loading and unloading being performed automatically.
For further information www.kasto.com

Chester and Blum on show

Keen to build an association with local manufacturing companies and support British business, Chester Machine Tools and Blum Novotest joined forces at the recent Manufacturing & Engineering show, North East.

Drawing the attention of visitors, Chester Machine Tools performed live machining demonstrations on its V6L CNC machining centre, which at the show featured a Blum ZXSpeed universal 3D probe for tool setting and breakage monitoring.
The Chester VL6 offers a simple entry to CNC machining and is suited to education and training environments, tool-room workshops, mould making and R&D departments. Importantly, the cast-iron construction of the machine is tempered for stress relief to promote structural stability, while C3-class ballscrews enhance accuracy and durability. The machine houses a 10,000 rpm spindle and can be supplied with a Siemens or Fanuc control.
For further information www.chestermachinetools.com

Dyson cleans-up with new machining centre

Founded almost 100 years ago, Milton Keynes based Dyson Diecastings Ltd initially started as a casting business, although nowadays the company offers a multitude of services, something that is supported by the recent acquisition of a Fanuc Robodrill B-series machining centre.

“As technology has evolved, so have customer demands and the capabilities of our company,” says director Paul Savage. “We have moved from just drilling and tapping to adding a CNC machining department, and now conduct profile milling, facing and much more. In terms of value-added processes, we offer painting, plating and polishing for those who want a fully finished product.”
The Fanuc Robodrill B-series D21LiB5 features an extended bed length that accommodates the variety of components that pass through the machine shop at Dyson.
“Usually, we would go for a 1 m bed length machine and also have a 600 mm Fanuc machine alongside, but this 800 mm bed length Fanuc is ideal for what we need,” says Savage. “A key factor in selecting the B-series is that we bought a Fanuc Robodrill T21iF about six years ago and its reliability has been outstanding. Spare parts are sourced locally and the cost of running it has been kept very low. The B-series machine comes with a new interface while the spindle speeds and indexing unit all match what we’d been running previously. Programs transfer very simply and it ticks all the right boxes.”
For further information www.fanuc.eu

7% more visitors at Subcon

The organiser of Subcon 2018, which was held at the NEC in Birmingham last month, says the show secured a 7% increase in visitor numbers.

In addition, the exhibition attracted more senior buyers than ever before. A cross-promotional partnership with Automechanika Birmingham, taking place at the NEC at the same time, was also successful in bringing new visitors to Subcon.
This year’s event debuted The Engineer Expo to create a cross-sector industry event with visitors able to enjoy unlimited access to both shows as well as The Engineer Conference, which featured names like Rolls Royce, Jaguar Land Rover and McLaren presenting to two theatres. Both shows will return to the NEC in 2019 from 4-6 June, together with the biennial Advanced Manufacturing Show.
For further information www.subsonshow.co.uk

Warwick to focus on Excetek

Following “an exceptional 12 months of business” with repeat/new customer orders and enquiries for the range of Excetek CNC wire-cut machines, Warwick Machine Tools will go forward concentrating exclusively on providing pre- and post-sales and service support for the brand in the UK and Ireland.

However, existing UK customers with ONA EDM machines will continue to be supported.
National sales manager Andrew Kilshaw explains the rationale behind the decision: “We have had an exceptional long-term relationship with ONA, supplying and supporting customers in many industry sectors, and we will not abandon those customers with older and more recent ONA EDM machines as we have the most technical experience and expertise to support them in the UK. However, the continued growth of Excetek demands our full focus and the tough decision was recently taken to end the business partnership amicably.”
Dudley-based Electro-Discharge Limited provides a good example of customers returning to WMT for further wire EDM capacity from Excetek. The company now has three of the latest generation Excetek CNC wire cut machines, which were installed to operate automatically at speed, to close tolerances in a ‘lights-out’ environment. Electro-Discharge now has two Excetek V650Gs and a smaller V400G CNC wire-cut machine.
General manager Rupin Vadera says: “Although we were aware of the Excetek range, we didn’t initially fully appreciate the capability and functionality offered. We arranged a demonstration at Warwick Machine Tools’ showroom and everyone was impressed with both the build quality and performance. The price-to-performance ratio is exceptional. The three new VG series machines are in addition to two larger V850G machines installed here last year.”
For further information www.warwickmachinetools.co.uk