The most powerful flat-bed laser-profiling centre ever to be installed in the UK for processing sheet metal has started operation at subcontractor ESP Laser Cutting, a specialist in producing components from 3 x 1.5 m sheet in an array of materials to a thickness of 30 mm. ESP’s investment follows the development of a 12 kW fibre laser source by Bystronic, which has delivered a machine of that power, a ByStar Fiber 3015 to the contract machinist’s factory in Rotherham.

Delivering one-fifth more energy to the metal sheet than the previous most powerful fibre laser (10 kW), the new source was expected to be 20% faster at cutting. What ESP’s joint owners Steve McMillan and Paul Short actually experience is a typical productivity increase of 33%.
For processing one particular job, chain links from 10 mm mild steel sheet, a three-fold productivity improvement was gained on the 12 kW machine. When formerly profiling the parts on the ByStar Fiber 10 kW machine that is still in use at the Rotherham facility, 200 components per hour was the maximum output, as there was not sufficient laser power to employ nitrogen as the assist gas. Instead, oxygen had to be used, requiring the cutting speed to be reduced so that acceptable edge quality could be achieved.
By contrast, the 12 kW machine produces 600 parts per hour, as the higher power allows the use of nitrogen and hence full profiling speed. There is the added advantage that cut edges are better, especially on the underside of the sheet, than when formerly using ‘active’ oxygen, as ‘inert’ nitrogen does not react with the sheet material. ESP employs a profiling speed of 6900 mm/min when producing the chain links, although the machine is capable of 150 m/min on thin gauges.
For further information www.bystronic.co.uk

In the UK, Trumpf recorded an order intake of £65m and sales of £60m in 2018/19, a 29% increase on the previous year’s figures.

“We continued, for a second consecutive year, to see a high number of customers purchasing more complex solutions,” explains managing director Lee Moakes. “There was also very strong growth in bending, especially automated bending. Trumpf is now providing its most comprehensive package ever to ensure customers get the best return on their investments. We’ve also increased our technical service capacity by more than 15% this year, ensuring we are prepared for further growth.”
Overall, the Trumpf Group recorded a renewed increase in sales in the 2018/19 fiscal year, which ended on 30 June 2019. Total sales rose by 6.1% to €3.78bn. Revenues for the Machine Tools division climbed by 1.2% to €2.39bn.
For further information www.uk.trumpf.com

Dugard Ltd has appointed three new sales engineers to support rising demand for the increasingly diverse ranges of machine tools that are now available from the company.

At the tail end of 2018, Dugard became the sole UK and Ireland sales and distribution outlet for the Korean brand of Hanwha sliding-head lathes, a move which was rapidly followed by the company being named as the sales and distribution outlet for the Kitamura brand of machines. Since taking on this added responsibility, sales enquiries have risen significantly.
To support the sales growth, Dugard has recruited Mark Anson, Alex Clarke and John Brimblecome as the respective area sales managers for the Midlands, southwest and northwest. All three are apprentice-served engineers with decades of experience to successfully service the Dugard customer base.
For further information www.dugard.com

Hainbuch’s established Centrotex quick change-over interface is now available in a version for smaller spindles. Thus, the company says that Centrotex S is the smallest system available on the market for setting up clamping devices in a matter of seconds.

Offering a diameter of just 224 mm, Centrotex S is well suited to quick change-over system for machines with a small work space. Offering repeatability to ≤0.002 mm on the interface – without having to align – the latest version of the Centrotex quick change-over system can also withstand rigorous operating environments.
The machine adapter is mounted on the spindle, and the clamping device (equipped with the adapter counterpart) can be exchanged for another clamping device in less than a minute. As a result, long set-up times are a thing of the past.
Hainbuch’s smallest Centrotex version does indeed incorporate the proven technology of its big brother, however, it is superior in terms of convenience. The Centrotex S is actuated via just one radial locking screw, while ergonomic operation has been significantly improved thanks to the fewer tightening turns required. In addition, the Monteq changing fixture unburdens the machine operator and contributes to a faster clamping device set-up.
For further information www.hainbuch.com

The Northern Manufacturing show made a triumphant return to EventCity, Manchester last month, where it welcomed 2240 industry professionals over the two days, an increase of more than 10% on the previous event. Over 200 companies and organisations participated from a variety of sectors and specialities.

Visitor demographics for the 2019 show reveal significant increases in attendance from the aerospace, defence, medical and industrial machinery sectors. Materials and composites, rapid prototyping, and toolmaking all saw significant upticks in interest, reflecting a wider interest in advanced manufacturing materials and techniques. Northern Manufacturing will return to EventCity on 7-8 October 2020.
For further information www.industrynorth.co.uk