THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS

GM CNC unveils heavy-duty machining centre

According to GM CNC,unparalleled stability and rigidity are the foundation blocks of the new VictorVcenter G-series range, which offers high material removal rates for applications where manufacturers are processing particularly challenging materials.

The three-axis G series is available in a trio of sizes to meet diverse demands. Unlike its competitors in the mid-sized VMC market segment, the G-series incorporates a meehanite casting with a wide base A-frame design, a wide span column, four boxways and screw removers with a wide boxway.

Victor’s smaller G105 provides X, Y and Z-axis travel of 1050 x 600 x 600mm,stretching to a spacious 1650 x 850 x 900mm on the largest G165. This freedom of movement is matched by accommodating bed sizes of 1100 x 600mm (G105), 1400 x 700mm (G135) and 1700 x 800mm (G165). Furthermore, the robust nature of the range permits the loading of components up to 1200, 2200 and 2500kg respectively.

Common features on all three machines include a powerful gearhead spindle design that generates a power output of 18.5 kW with a torque level of 498Nm. Developed, manufactured and built in-house by Victor, the 6000rpm gearhead design spindle retains maximum torque levels throughout the speed range. Thisfactor makes the Vcenter series a good choice for machining hard materials and exotic alloys with high material removal rates. In addition, the G-series incorporates a Big-Plus BBT-50 spindle taper that guarantees dual face and taper spindle contact.

The Victor Vcenter has an automatic tool change unit with 24-tool capacity and the option for 32 or 40 tool positions; all positions can accommodate tools up to 15kg.
For further information www.gm-cnc.com

Subcontractor gets into gear with Quaser machine

Leicestershire-based Sovereign Gears has recently invested in a Quaser MF400UH five-axis machining centre that follows on from three Nakamura turning centres also purchased from the Engineering Technology Group (ETG).

Director Ryan Spring says: “The majority of our work is 1- and 2-off bespoke gears, as well as jigs and kits for holding, assembling and working with the gears. Unfortunately, with so many complex forms, most of our milling work requires two, three or four set-ups, and this can take a lot of time and slow down our throughput. We bought the Quaser MF400UH with Open Mind’shyperMILL CAM software, also supplied via ETG to reduce our set-ups. The Quaser is our first five-axis machine, but we’re already seeing huge benefits.”

Previously, set-up time were frequently in the order of 4-5 hours, but the Quaser has instantly eliminated 75% of this time, and with only a single set-up required for five-sided machining.The precision of each component is subsequently improved.

“As a small business, it’s imperative that we maximise the productivity of both our machine tools and our staff,” says Spring.“By having the Quaser machine and reducing our set-ups, we’re freeing-up the capacity of two employees. Instead of spending excessive hours repeatedly setting up three-axis machines, staff can be allocated to other tasks.”

He adds: “Since having the Quaser, we’ve improved our ability to machine complex forms and this has ultimately won us new business that previously, we would have turned away. The ability to increase the type of work that we can machine, such as round gear teeth, challenging chamfers, forms and keyways has enabled us to increase our customer base and our offering to those customers.”
For further information www.engtechgroup.com

Horn mourns passing of managing director

Lothar Horn passed away earlier this month at the age of 66 after a long illness. As managing director of Paul Horn GmbH in Tübingen, Germany, he shaped the company into an international manufacturer of cutting tools, with production sites in the UK, Italy, the Czech Republic and the US, alongside subsidiaries in France, Hungary, China, Mexico, Turkey and Thailand. He joined the company in 1991 as son of the founder, Paul Horn, becoming managing director in 1995. In 2018, Lothar passed the reins to his son Markus.The Horn Group says it has lost an outstanding entrepreneur and a wonderful person.
For further information www.phorn.co.uk

Machine tool production rising

The VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association) is expecting production in the machine tool industry to grow by 9% this year, to a volume of €15.5bn. In nominal terms, this is only 10% below the record result of 2018. At its annual press conference in Frankfurt, Franz-Xaver Bernhard, VDW chairman, said: “We have largely overcome the effects of the pandemic. The industry has entered the current year with a significant backlog of orders.”

He continued:“Even though the gap between orders and sales is currently closing, the German Federal Statistical Office is still reporting a 12-month backlog of orders for the machine tool industry. This means that companies are well placed to weather any dip in orders in the first half of 2023, as suggested by the most recent figures.”
For further information www.vdw.de/en

CMF sets out net zero roadmap

A leading voice for the foundry industry has released a five-point blueprint that will help the castings sector deliver a £10bn boost to the economy.Published by the Cast Metals Federation (CMF), the Net Zero roadmap is urging government to create a stable policy environment that focuses on reforming energy markets and providing clean energy. It must also offer incentives for capital investment in zero-carbon furnaces and production equipment, and ensure UK trade policies support customer demand for low-carbon products from global markets.

The ‘asks’ also call for Whitehall to encourage and enable the release of land for modern, zero-carbon foundries and associated zero-carbon energy generation facilities.Adam Vicary, CEO of Castings PLC and chairman of the CMF Net Zero Advisory Panel, says: “This blueprint sets out how UK casting manufacturers can lead globally, growing the industry, decarbonising our components, providing strategic resilience to UK supply chains, creating jobs and wealth, and making the components required for a modern economy.”
For further informationwww.castmetalsfederation.com