THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS

25th anniversary for Kautex Unipart

One of the UK’s longest-established joint ventures is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Kautex Unipart Ltd (KUL), a joint venture between Unipart Group and German partner Kautex Textron GmbH, has now produced 12.3million plastic fuel tanks at its state-of-the-art production line in Coventry. Fuel tanks have been manufactured for 19 different vehicle models since 1998, with £50m invested in the latest robotic cells, finishing stations and traceability technologies.

A celebration event was held to celebrate the 25th birthday, with all 122 employees at KUL praised for their commitment.They heard from management teams at both businesses about key achievements, which included the way the company supports STEM and the next generation of engineers, and how it has successfully embedded Industry 4.0 best practice across its 11,000 sq m site.

For further information www.unipart.com

DLM opens machine shop

Dynamic Load Monitoring (DLM) of Southampton has opened a machine shop in collaboration with sister company, Vulcan Offshore.Having taken a new lease on two buildings already fitted out as a machine shop in Vancouver Wharf, Southampton, each company will occupy an adjacent unit. A state-of-the-art suite of machining and milling equipment will give DLM full control of its manufacturing processes, reducing lead times.

DLM’s new CNC machine shop will include two Doosan Puma lathes, a Haas lathe and a Haas mill. The lathe, for example, can machine load pins to 200mm diameter and over 1m in length.Supporting the machine shop will be a dedicated team of five professionals, including a workshop manager appointedjointly by DLM and Vulcan. The team will be responsible for processes such as quotation, machining, gauging, documentation and shipment.

For further information www.dlm-uk.com

Productive Machines joins AMRC

Productive Machines has joined the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) as a new member with the aim of helping to increase productivity and reduce carbon emissions in manufacturing. Productive Machines, an AMRC spin-out company, specialises in AI-based technology designed to reduce waste and optimise machining processes through easy-to-use solutions.

The partnership between the AMRC and Productive Machines signifies a strategic alignment of expertise in the pursuit of precision engineering. As the newest member of the AMRC, Productive Machines brings its knowledge and disruptive technologies to the collaborative table, contributing to the AMRC’s mission of driving net-zero manufacturing.

For further information www.productivemachines.co.uk

UMATI opens showroom in China

Interested parties in China can now explore UMATI more fully and experience the benefits of open, standardised OPC UA-based interfaces live and in person. The joint connectivity initiative of the VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association) and VDMA (German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association), representatives of which recently opened the ‘Smart IoT in Production’ showroom in Pudong near Shanghai.

Dr Alexander Broos, head of research and technology at the VDW and UMATI project manager, says: “The future of connectivity is digital, but sometimes a physical platform is needed: a place where people can share ideas and present products. The showroom highlights in tangible form the benefits of UMATI in China, one of industry’s most important and largest markets.”

For further information www.umati.org

Ward Hi-Tech reports successful end to 2023

Machine tool supplier Ward Hi-Tech says that November and December 2023 saw the company conclude several significant projects, taking orders for a number of large-frame machines from principals Hwacheon, Kiheung, SFM and Dah Lih. For instance, two Hwacheon Hi Tech 850LYMC heavy-duty turning centres were sold to a large subcontractor in the north of England, while a Midlands-based manufacturer placed an order for a 5 m between centres x 1800mm swing CNC lathe from SFM.

The Hwacheon Hi Tech 850 series of horizontal lathes with box guideways are suitable for large and hard workpieces. With the Hi-Tech 850, userscan master demanding machining tasks which require milling and turning operations, thanks largely to the large and stable tool turret and monolithic machine bed.

The machine bed, which is slanted at 45°, supports optimal swarf removal and reduced heat input. For a maximum degree of stability and precision, all linear axes are provided with box guideways. Due to the main spindle’s transmission gearbox, the Hi-Tech 850 also provides very high torque at lower speeds. High-power machining is equally possible at higher speeds. The optional Y axis allows users to deal with particularly complex workpiece geometries.

Ward Hi-Tech also reports that the year ended on a high with two double-column Dah Lih machining centres sold in the northwest and a Kiheung U1200N CNC universal bed mill with 3 m X-axis travel delivered to a local manufacturer in Yorkshire.

The Kiheung U1200N bed-type mill offers an X axis from 2100 to 5000 mm, a 1250 mm Y axis and a Z axis from 1050 to 2000 mm. Storage for 24, 30, 40 or 50 tools is available.

Ward Hi-Tech says it moves into 2024 with several large projects on the boil.

For further information www.wardhitech.co.uk