The Europa eturn VS series of gap-bed centre lathes is being released into the UK market by RK International Machine Tools. Featuring eturn Energy Management Technology (EEMT), eturn VS lathes help to reduce energy consumption, particularly when the machine is stood idle.

The system constantly monitors the machine and, if a period of inaction is detected, puts the lathe into sleep mode, switching off all unnecessary power consumption. A simple push of a button brings the lathe back to full operational activity.
Along with its environmental advantages, the Europa eturn range also offers a high specification, with an electronic variable-speed spindle featuring Schneider frequency inverter. Transmission is via a Norton-type gearbox that delivers constant power and torque. Each machine in the range is also equipped with a Newall NMS300 two-axis digital readout for ease-of-use, while Bison has been selected as the work-holding partner, allowing a three-jaw scroll and four-jaw independent chuck to be supplied as standard equipment.
There are eight machines in the range, starting with the compact Europa eturn VS330 with a 330 mm swing over bed (510 mm in the gap), and either 750 or 1000 mm between centres. Spindle speed is totally variable between 40 and 2500 rpm, with two gear ranges to allow constant torque. Longitudinal feed rates are between 0.02 and 1.04 mm/rev.
The other machines in the Europe eturn range are the VS360, VS390, VS460, VS510, VS560, VS660 and VS760, with the number designating the swing over bed.
The larger machines in the range feature a three-range gearbox with maximum spindle speeds from 2500 rpm down to 1400 rpm on the largest model. Between-centre distances across the series are from 750 mm through to 6000 mm.
For further information www.rk-int.com

XYZ Machine Tools unveiled its Robo-Tend mobile machine-tool automation system to customers at two recent customer days held at its facilities in Devon and Nuneaton. Both events were well attended, with the new system receiving strong interest among companies looking to increase productivity and reduce overheads.

“In developing Robo-Tend the brief was to create a simple, easy-to-use robotic automation system that would appeal to a wide range of customers, especially those who may not have considered automation as an option previously,” says Nigel Atherton, managing director of XYZ Machine Tools. “Therefore, it was pleasing that many of those in attendance recognised this, with comments that it was one of the simplest systems they had seen.”
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

Filtermist is investing in a new distribution centre in Shropshire to help meet growing demand for products. The company, which is part of the Absolent Group, has taken on a 30,000 sq ft unit just a few minutes’ walk from its purpose-built headquarters on the T54 Business Park in Telford.

Impressive organic sales growth and an acquisition trail that has seen the company purchase the DCS Group and Kerstar Ltd in the past six months, resulted in the decision to create a central facility that would be responsible for Filtermist’s logistics operations. The move will further enhance stock control and delivery lead times, as well as release additional capacity to increase the firm’s metal fabrication footprint.
For further information www.filtermist.co.uk

Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence has appointed Maja Foster as the global marketing director for its Production Software business.

Joining the company after seven years at machine-tool manufacturer Mazak, including the last three as European marketing manager, Foster brings a wealth of metalworking industry experience to her new role, in which she will be setting marketing strategies for all product lines under the Production Software umbrella.
In addition to her marketing responsibilities, Foster will also lead product management, a specialist team tasked with gathering market intelligence, performing market analysis and defining future product content and direction. After completing three degrees – MEng in Structural Engineering, BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering, and BSc (Hons) in International Business and Marketing – Foster has worked for British, German and Japanese B2B organisations, holding senior marketing positions for 13 years.
For further information www.hexagonmi.com/products/production-software

To celebrate the company’s 100-year anniversary, Yamazaki Mazak UK hosted a day of festivities and fun for all of its Worcestershire employees and their families at Drayton Manor Theme Park.

In total, over 1,000 people were treated to a day out. Adults and children alike enjoyed themselves on the rollercoaster and rides, and helped themselves to an organised buffet as a thank you for all their efforts in helping Mazak reach this major milestone. Mazak’s European headquarters and manufacturing site, based in Worcester, produces more than 1000 machine tools every year.
Richard Smith, European group managing director at Yamazaki Mazak, says: “Despite its size and global manufacturing capability, Mazak remains a family business both in terms of its ownership and culture. A family day out at Drayton Manor Theme Park was the perfect way for us to celebrate our
centenary together.”
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk