THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS

German Chancellor meets service robot

Collaborating with robots and controlling them with gestures? German chancellor Angela Merkel experienced first-hand how this can be achieved in her opening day tour at the recent Hannover Messe 2018 exhibition. On the IBG Automation stand, Angela Merkel and the Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and his wife Angélica Rivera, got up close and in person with robotic hands from Schunk.

SCHUNK – HMI 2018, Hannover Messe, Hanover Trade Fair

Schunk’s SVH mechatronic gripping hand, which is designed for applications in assistance and service robotics, is very similar to its human counterpart in terms of size, shape and mobility. The five fingers can carry out all kinds of gripping operations with the help of nine drives. Elastic surfaces on the front phalanxes ensure a reliable hold on objects being gripped. As the hand can perform and imitate numerous gestures, visual communication between humans and service robots becomes significantly easier.
For further information www.schunk.com

Chuck provides best pull-out security

Sandvik Coromant has released the CoroChuck 935 high-precision hydraulic chuck for turning operations that is said to offer the market’s best pull-out security.

With CoroChuck 935, Sandvik Coromant says that machine shops can confidently perform demanding turning operations, including those with long overhangs. In fact, CoroChuck 935 ensures that a clamping length of four times the bar diameter can be achieved. Developed for use on lathes, turning centres and multi-task turn-mill machines, the chuck covers most common machine interfaces.
The design principle behind the high level of security offered by CoroChuck 935 is based upon fulcrum technology. A thin, brazed membrane offers an optimised clamping function whereby expansion creates two distinct clamping points on each side (fulcrums). The concept is said to ensure that the clamping force repeats for every use.
Additional benefits of the new chuck include the use of EasyFix sleeves to provide the correct centre height and help reduce set-up time. EasyFix sleeves are a solution for cylindrical boring bars that sees a spring plunger (mounted in the sleeve) click into a groove on the bar to guarantee the correct centre height. In addition, the metallic sealing offers good performance in applications that require high-pressure coolant.
CoroChuck 935 is available in 20 and 25 mm bore sizes to suit Coromant Capto, HSK-A/C/T, cylindrical shank and VDI machine interfaces.
For further information www.sandvik.coromant.com

XYZ continues to spread the 3D message

Following the success of its 3D-printing seminar in collaboration with HP and other specialists in the additive manufacturing sector at its Devon headquarters, XYZ Machine Tools has announced a second seminar at its Nuneaton Technical Centre on 5 July.

Those attending will get a detailed insight into the potential offered by the HP Multi Jet Fusion technology as a production tool.
The seminar is scheduled to run for around two hours and will include presentations from experts in the field of 3D printing, including HP and Siemens. Space is limited, so anyone wishing to attend should register their interest by visiting the company’s website and completing the online form on the home page.
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

Training the future at Babcock

Bringing on the next generation of engineers to work across its many customer programmes is a key focus for engineering company Babcock International.

This is highlighted at its Bristol facilities, where it develops specialist systems and complex equipment from concept through design, manufacture and assembly, to installation. Here, investment has taken place in the company’s production training facility, with seven machines being installed by XYZ Machine Tools, including a number of ProtoTrak controlled turret mills and ProtoTrak controlled lathes.
Bringing in these machines has enabled Babcock to adapt its training as the technology adds greater flexibility and capability. “We are now able to deliver the Performing Engineering Operations (PEO) NVQ 2 in the first year of training; after that apprentices and higher apprentices can focus on specific departmental roles in machining, fitting, assembly or project management,” explains Babcock’s apprentice training manager Tim Jacobs.
The XYZ ProtoTrak control delivers on requirements with its ease-of-use, making the transition from manual to CNC straightforward. The ProtoTrak mills are set up with just a two-axis option, with no powered Z axis. This means that apprentices and graduates gain good experience in ‘feel’ when it comes to machining through the combination of manual and CNC operation.
Jacobs highlights the simplicity of the conversational programming systems: “The XYZ ProtoTrak control is very straightforward to use and we always have the assurance that we can call on XYZ with any questions that we may have; be it on programming, or simply just getting the best out of the machines.”
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

Mazak’s Inabe plant goes into operation

Yamazaki Mazak has announced the completion of the first construction phase and start of assembly operations at its new Inabe plant in Mie prefecture, Japan.

The new plant has been opened to meet the increasing demand for large five-axis machine tools, specifically in the aerospace, construction and energy industries. Inabe is the sixth Mazak production facility in Japan.
Construction of the Inabe facility began in 2016, with the first phase completed in February 2018. The production of large machine tools has already been transferred to Inabe from the Minokamo plant in Gifu prefecture. In addition, by starting operations at Inabe, overall production capacity in Japan has been increased by 20%. The plant represents an investment of ¥16bn (first construction phase) and presently spans a floor space of 33,000 sq m.
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk