THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS

Foundry installs third CNC machine

The foundry at Thomas Dudley in the West Midlands is to be equipped with a third CNC machine. This latest investment, in a new Dugard XP1600 CNC machining centre, comes in response to demand, further expanding the company’s ability to quickly manufacture patterns in-house.

“At present, we are producing patterns up to 700 mm wide,” explains foundry director Mick Cramphorn: “With this investment, we’ll be able to cut approximately 1150 mm wide, larger patterns all in-house. The machine has a faster spindle, which will reach up to 15,000 rpm, offering enhanced finishes when cutting fine details such as text or texture on patterns.
“Our maximum traverse feed rate at the moment is 15 m/min, whereas installing the new machine means this will increase up to 20 m/min, which is exactly what we need for projects that require a fast turn-around,” he continues. “The combination of advanced engineering technology, a skilled team and ‘can-do’ attitude provides a high level of flexibility. Producing new patterns with the Dugard XP1600 will enable us to reduce lead times even further.”
Thomas Dudley’s new investment supports a commitment to working in partnership with existing and new customers as a value-adding, strategic engineering partner. The company says that, unlike many competitors, its foundry division can call upon automated and air-set manufacturing facilities to provide a flexible, UK-based production platform.
For further information www.dugard.com

Mazak broadens aftersales support

Yamazaki Mazak has invested further in its aftersales support with the announcement of eight new service engineers. This latest intake includes two additional in-house engineers, who will work to co-ordinate the daily activities of the field-based specialist team. Reducing the need for engineer call-outs where possible, the increased amount of in-house engineers will also ensure that customers have access to quick-response technical support over the phone, helping them get their machines back up and running as soon as possible.   

The support team out in the field has also grown, with Mazak employing an additional member for both the install team and planned service team, as well as taking on four new engineers for the breakdown team. This growth is in line with Mazak’s goal to arrive at the site of a breakdown within 24 hours, regardless of geographical location, and get customer machines back into production within a 72-hour time frame.

    

For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk

Sawcraft reports a further increase in Cosen sales

Sawcraft UK has reported a record number of sales involving Cosen sawing machines. For instance, Wrekin Steels Ltd has taken delivery of its second Cosen G320 automatic bandsaw (pictured), which is cited by Sawcraft as the company’s top-selling model due to its output in relation to size and cost. Specifically designed for mass production cutting on material up to 320 mm diameter, bundle-cutting options are also available.

Elsewhere, Midlands-based Clarke Steels has ordered a second Cosen C-460NC to keep up with current production demands. The C-460NC is a fully automatic scissor-action bandsaw with a cutting capacity on round material of up to 460 mm diameter. A tilted saw bow is incorporated to reduce twist and maximise blade life. Smart NC 100 controls allow the machine to store up to 100 different cutting jobs, while automatic kerf loss compensation is a further feature.
Dyfed Steels Midlands Ltd is another company to invest in the Cosen C-520NC automatic bandsaw. The C-520NC also incorporates the latest Smart NC-100 technology. Operators can program up to 100 different jobs, including quantity and length of cut parameters.
At ContraCut, near Halifax, the UK’s first Cosen SVC-670DM vertical, semi-automatic, dual mitre-cutting Bandsaw has been installed. This saw was the obvious choice for ContraCut due to its large cutting capacity yet minimal floor space requirements.
For further information
www.sawcraft.co.uk

Waste service introduced

A waste management service that aims to get more manufacturing businesses to recognise the cost and environmental benefits of baling and compacting waste is being launched. Wastesaving Audit is being introduced by PHS Wastekit, and includes a free site survey to review businesses’ current waste management practices, a bespoke consultation to advise on where cost savings can be made and a free trial of a baler or compactor machine, plus training on how to use it. “Balers and compactors will – without exception – save businesses up to 90% of their waste disposal costs,” says managing director Joe Roberts.
For further information www.phswastekit.co.uk

Safran returns to MACH

MACH 2018 says that aircraft landing and braking systems company Safran Landing Systems (ex-Messier-Bugatti-Dowty) will be present once again at next year’s exhibition. Safran is a partner to 30 commercial and military airframe manufacturers, and supports aircraft that make over 54,000 landings every day. At MACH 2018 the company will be in the UK Supply Chain Zone, which is located in Hall 6 of the NEC. “It will again be interesting to see how Safran is using innovative design, research and systems integration, together with manufacturing capability, to push the boundaries of aerospace technology,” says James Fudge, head of events at MACH organiser, MTA.
For further information www.machexhibition.com