THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS

CNC bed mills released by MACH Machine Tools

The new MACH MDM 700-AR and MACH MDM 1000-AR CNC bed mills provide customers with high cutting performance, life-long precision, built-in flexibility and unrivalled reliability at a cost that, according to Dave Andrew, managing director of Vigilance Group (of which MACH Machine Tools is part), “will make your jaw drop and the guys in accounts smile”.

Both machines feature BT 40 spindles (5,000 rpm), roller-type linear guideways and large worktables (up to 1525 x 350 mm for the larger MDM 1000-AR model). The machines deliver positional and repeatable accuracies of 0.006 and 0.003 mm, respectively.

MDM 700-AR/MDM 1000-AR machines are supplied with the established DynaPath CNC integrated with MACH Machine Tools’ free, 24/7, Wi-Fi enabled ‘Remote Assist’ facility.Remote Assist provides customers with expert applications and service support, including free software updates, for the life of the machine.

“With Remote Assist, the 20 minute maximum response time to customer queries means that machine downtime is kept to an absolute minimum, which is proving a massive draw for customers,” says Andrew.

The DynaPath control includes: conversational and ISO/G code programming capabilities, making it easy to program machines on the shop floor;64 Gb on-board storage and 10,000 block look-ahead capability that ensure fast processing speed complemented by improved accuracy and smoother surface finish; functions such as datum setting using alignment, sub-program calling, the use of macro-programming, the ability to facilitate program simulation using tool path or 3D rendered graphics, and programmable spindle control; a DXF and onboard DXF editor; and a multitude of communication methods, including Wi-Fi connectivity.

As with all MACH machines, MDM-AR models are supplied, as standard, with technology features that include: 15.6” touchscreens, manual pulse generators, air power drawbars and coolant equipment.

More information www.machinetoolsalesonline.com

Future is bright for Bronte Precision Engineering

Mills CNCrecently supplied Bronte Precision Engineering, a Bradford-based precision subcontract specialist, with a new heavy-duty three-axis vertical machining centre.The machine, a box guideway Mynx 6500/50 II manufactured by DN Solutions, replaced an older Daewoo Mynx 540 machining centre supplied to Bronte by Mills CNC in 2004.

Since its installation, the Mynx 6500/50 II with FANUC 0iMP control and gearbox-driven 6000rpm (BT 50) high-torque spindle has been put through its paces machining a range of high-precision complex components. These parts include valve-type components (for subsea applications) made from Inconel castings for a long-standing customer and manufacturer of industrial pumps.

Programmed offline and machined in small batches, the pump valve components are approximately 400 x 300mm in size, involve long and intensive roughing and finishing operations, and are characterised by their tight tolerances and stringent surface finishes. Cycle times with the new Mynx 6500/50 II are significantly faster (up to 50%) than those achieved using the Mynx 540, vindicating the new machine acquisition.

Says Bronte Precision director Steven Haigh:“The Mynx 6500/50 II is a powerful, accurate and flexible machining centre that, in just a few short weeks, has proved its worth. Its rigidity, box guideway construction and BT 50 spindle with through-spindle-coolant capability has enabled us to improve our productivity and process efficiencies.The ability to ramp up speeds and feeds and take more aggressive depths of cut have shortened cycle times.”

He adds: “The machine is still being ‘bedded-in’ so to speak, but I’m confident that once we’re more familiar with its onboard technologies, we’ll hit tolerances of ±0.03mm on selected features.”

More information www.millscnc.co.uk

Starrag Machine Achieves Unprecedented MRR

The Starrag S1250 HD five-axis machining centre with hydrostatic guides, which is suitable for machiningtitanium thanks to its rigidity and damping attributes, achieved astonishing results in performancetestsperformed by Starrag at its main plant in Rorschacherberg. Using a carbide cylindrical endmill (40 mm diameter, 18 teeth), the machiningspecialist achieved a metal removal rate (MRR) of 1516 cm3/min. Starrag estimates this MRR is potentially a world record in titanium machining.

Even the prototype of the Starrag S1250 HD proved to be a highly efficient machine for cutting titanium structural components. Two years ago, in roughing tests, the machining centre with hydrostatic guides achieved up to three times the MRR of the Starrag STC 1250 version featuring roller bearings. The improved damping and dynamic performance also ensured high precision and surface quality during finishing.

For the series-produced machine, Starrag engineers imparted a few additional modifications to increaseMRR further and reduce tool wear. As the most critical factors in this context are rigidity and damping, Starrag made the machine and column structure even more sturdy.

Another revision concerned the rotary table, which is now designed as a gearbox version. With a high torque of 25,000Nm and a clamping torque of 32,000Nm, it fully meets the requirements of titanium machining. In addition, the compact swivel milling head was enlarged on one side, creating space for a 50% stronger Aaxis with 12,000Nm of torque and 20,000Nm of clamping torque while retaining accessibility.

In terms of the work spindle, a new feature is the HSK-B160 interface, which ensures high tool rigidity when cutting large depths.

Airbus has already ordered five Starrag S1250 HD machines for its Varel site in Germany.

More information www.starrag.com

Jobs secured as Clarity Group purchases NDB

More than 60 jobs in the Black Country and southwest have been safeguarded following the purchase of a critical supplier to the nuclear and defence sector. The rapidly expanding Clarity Group has purchased NDB Engineering and sister company Cofast from administrators in a deal that will provide security and fresh investment for robotics and a host of productivity improvements.

The business will trade as Cofast going forward and is setting its sights on leveraging new financial backing to attack multi-million-pound opportunities in decommissioning and big domestic naval projects. There is also significant potential to take its technical expertise and precision engineering performance into the aerospace supply chain, a market that demands safety-critical products.

More information www.cofast.co.uk

PP C&A signals £100m global expansion

Global expansion is on the agenda for a UK manufacturing outsourcing specialist after it revealed plans for a major acquisition drive. PP Control & Automation, which works with over 20 of the world’s leading machinery builders, is heading towards a record sales revenue of £40m in 2026, with the longer-term aim of hitting £100m within four years.

Growth will be achieved both through organic opportunities in clean energy, defence and life sciences, and the potential purchasing of complementary manufacturing companies in Europe, the US and Asia. The M&A activity will be led by new CEO Pinaki Banerjee, with discussions already taking place with targets in Italy, Eastern Europe, India and the US. PP C&A employs over 200 people at its state-of-the-art facility in the West Midlands.

More information www.ppcanda.com