THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS

Dedicated Industry 4.0 sheet-metal event

A number of companies from across the UK sheet-metal industry are set to host an event dedicated to technology that can facilitate the implementation of Industry 4.0. Taking place on 29-30 November at Yamazaki Mazak’s European Technology Centre in Worcester, the ‘Sheet Metal 4.0’ event will see a selection of companies and industry experts come together to showcase technology which can unlock the next generation of sheet-metal production as part of a connected factory infrastructure.

Participants include: tooling specialist Mate Tooling Solutions; CADCAM software expert Radan; sheet metal supplier and service provider Press-Form; as well as used machine suppliers JTES and MSS Lasers. Thanks to the collaboration between these suppliers, there will be a number of sheet-metal cutting and peripheral machines on display, along with technical presentations, machine demonstrations and factory tours running throughout the day.
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk/sheetmetal

Coleg Gwent develops CNC capability

As one of the biggest, and most successful colleges in Wales, Coleg Gwent is not resting on its laurels. The college has embarked on an ambitious expansion programme to deliver day-release and full-time apprenticeships in support of the engineering sector in its catchment area. The first phase of this plan is now complete following the arrival of four CNC machines supplied by XYZ Machine Tools.

The four machines, two XYZ CT52 turning centres and two XYZ Mini Mill 560 vertical machining centres, will be used to develop full-time courses to introduce students to automation in the manufacturing process, as well as involving them in initial component design, CADCAM, programming and general machining. Courses are also designed for part-time students already in industry who want to upskill to make their qualifications more relevant to modern industry standards.
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

Mazak apprentices win three training awards

Apprentices at Yamazaki Mazak have scooped an unprecedented three prizes at the annual Worcestershire Group Training Association awards ceremony. The three apprentices, all of whom are now working full-time at the Mazak facility in Worcester, picked up their awards at a special event held at Worcester Rugby Club.

Bethany Addis, 17, won Engineering Apprentice of the Year, the first ever female winner of the award. Harry Fuller, 17, who is in the second year of a four-year apprenticeship, won the Personal Development Award as part of his sheet metal apprenticeship. Finally, Joe Kennie, 21, won the Post-First Year Craft Apprentice of the Year Award. “These three awards are testament to the ‘can do’ attitude of all our apprentices, their enthusiasm and willingness to learn,” says Richard Smith, European group managing director at Yamazaki Mazak.
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk

Mazak launches laser automation cell

Yamazaki Mazak unveiled its latest laser automation cell at Blechexpo in Stuttgart last week. The OPTIPLEX 3015 DDL 4.0 kW laser processing machine features Direct Diode Laser technology unique to Mazak, complete with a new robotic automation system. Those requiring ultra-fast cutting and high-quality edges are set to benefit most.

According to Mazak, the OPTIPLEX DDL series can cut thin material 20% faster than fibre lasers, and thick materials with high surface quality. The machine has an axis acceleration of 1.8 G and benefits from rapid traverse rates of 120 m/min. Positioning accuracy is maintained to within ±0.05 mm per 500 mm in the X and Y axes, and to within ±0.01 mm per 100mm in the Z axis. The machine also offers repeatability accuracy of ±0.03 mm in the X, Y and Z axes.
Crucially, the OPTIPLEX DDL is a machine capable of a wall plug efficiency of 40-50%, compared with 10% for a CO2 resonator, 15-20% for a disc resonator and 30-40% with a fibre resonator.
At Blechexpo, the machine on display was shown as part of a new automation cell that incorporates a robotic arm mounted to rails adjacent to the cutting table, to load and unload workpieces. The arm can quickly change between sorting tools – which are mounted directly to the robot’s base – depending on application and the size and weight of the workpiece. To deliver fast and accurate machining, the cell’s laser table is equipped with an automatic clamp to secure the workpiece’s position on the table. This is especially useful for cutting thin vinyl-protected material.
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk

Best ever EMO for Walter Ewag

Walter Ewag UK is reporting the “best ever EMO” after orders valued at more than €30m were placed at the show for Walter and Ewag tool grinders/eroders, and Walter tool measurement machines. The record order intake for more than 100 machines does not include orders taken for the other United Grinding Group brands exhibited.

Included in the host of new developments and machines shown at EMO by Walter was the Helitronic Vision Diamond 400L two-in-one tool grinding and erosion machine – for PCD, carbide, HSS, ceramic, cermet and CBN tools from 3 to 315 mm diameter and up to 420 mm long – and the Heliset Plus manual measuring device which is said to help optimise the erosion (machining) times of complex tools by up to 30%. Ewag’s display included the new six-axis Ewag Compact Line for the grinding (including peripheral grinding) of inserts in tungsten carbide, cermet, ceramic, PCBN and PCD.
For further information www.walter-machines.com