Whoever takes a closer look at the machine shop of ’t Veer will see that HACO is its main supplier of machinery. Ardooie-based ‘t Veer started in 1984 with a handful of employees, but that number has since grown to over 600. The metal workshop began operations in 1988 with only a few metalworking machines.

“As the company expanded, we couldn’t meet increasing demands in certain areas of the metalworking process,” states production manager Yves Verhaeghe. “For instance, we soon reached full capacity on our two punching machines. To expand capacity we considered both a new punching machine and a laser cutting machine. At the time, the CO2 lasers were quite expensive but fibre laser machines opened new perspectives. In April 2022 we replaced our project for a new punching machine by instead investing in a HFL 4020E-22EQ from HACO, a fibre laser machine that cuts both plate and tube.”

He continues: “With the tube laser we can now do our pipework in-house, which is much more efficient. In the past we already performed drilling activities on pipes, but this was far more complex and time consuming. At different diameters on the same workpiece we first had to make holes with one diameter drill and then change the drill diameter for the other diameter. In contrast, our HACO tube laser can operate autonomously and complete different diameters in one cycle. Furthermore, our employees no longer have to drill the holes themselves, which gives them the opportunity to focus on post-processing.

“We still use our other punching machine,” says Verhaeghe. “For each job we choose the most efficient processing method. We put smaller pieces on the punching machine, on which they are easier to load and unload. The larger sheet metal work we put on the HACO fibre laser.”
For further information www.kingsland.com

The Engineering Technology Group (ETG), the exclusive UK & Ireland distribution partner for DNE Global fibre laser cutting machines, has sold a DNE Global LC3 6 kW machine to CJS Safety Systems.

The primary product manufactured by the Nuneaton-based company is Safegate, a lift shaft edge protection safety system. CJS is the UK’s leading manufacturer in its niche, with the firm supplying the majority of the UK and Europe’s construction and lift companies. Safegate provides guarding against falls during construction projects and lift installations, in essence protecting personnel from falls in lift shafts or falling debris from above.

Commenting upon the order, Shane Langston, product manager for the DNE Global range at the Engineering Technology Group, says: “CJS Safety Systems placed the order for the DNE Global LC3 machine as they had done their due diligence and recognised the build quality, productivity and innovation behind the Swiss-manufactured brand.”

He adds: “The quality and technology incorporated into the LC3 6 kW fibre laser far exceed anything else at the same price point in the market currently being manufactured in China or Turkey. This was one of the points that persuaded CJS Safety Systems to order the LC3 machine. Another key factor was the pedigree and engineering support structure at ETG, which further instilled confidence in the customer, which is a first-time purchaser of laser cutting equipment.”
For further information www.engtechgroup.com

Running on 6-9 December, Yamazaki Mazak’s ‘Discovery Week’ open house aims to help machine tool and laser processing users find solutions that overcome a host of productivity-led challenges to improve efficiency and minimise downtime. The event, which will be hosted at Mazak’s European manufacturing plant and technology centre in Worcester, will be supported by over 25 partners with expertise in tooling, tool management, swarf management, CADCAM and finance.

There will be more than 20 machines on display, including live cutting demonstrations on a range of five-axis, horizontal, vertical, CNC turning and laser processing machines, many of which will be equipped with third-party automation systems. Among the technology highlights will be Mazak’s newest vertical machining centre, the VCN-700. Designed and manufactured in the UK, visitors will see live production of the VCN-700 as part of the factory tours.
For further information www.bit.ly/3t4YHDX

As a manufacturer of high-performance electric and hydraulic sewer pipe rehabilitation robot systems, Pipetronics GmbH utilises two in-house CNC machining centres fitted with a wide range of Big Kaiser tools and tool holders that are available in the UK from Industrial Tooling Corporation (ITC). With headquarters in the South German town of Stutensee, Pipetronics uses the Big Kaiser range of products for the production of its robots’ turned and milled components.

To ensure complete coverage of all production processes, Pipetronics purchased a Grob G350 five-axis machining centre and a Mazak i400 ST turn-mill centre. Both feature robot automation.

“To mill very close to the clamping device along the spindle, a slim, stable and precise tool holder is required, which is where tool-holder specialist Big Kaiser comes into the picture,” says Rolf Dettinger, head of CNC manufacturing at Pipetronics. “From my previous job, I have significant experience with Big Kaiser spindle tools and Big Daishowa tool holders. After being repeatedly disappointed by the quality of the default chucks used on the Grob, I finally contacted Big Daishowa and they kindly provided us with the Mega Double Power Chuck for testing.”

Seeing the impressive results during the test phase, Dettinger was so impressed that he ordered several Micro collet chucks from the Mega Chuck series for the Mazak machine in addition to the tested power chuck.

“For our application, the Big Micro Chuck collet chucks offer optimal performance characteristics for machining hard-to-reach workpiece areas, where conventional collet systems fail to deliver,” he says. “Thanks to its groove-free collet nut, vibration at high speeds are prevented. The key is that this Big Kaiser micro-collet system is slim enough to implement in all our machining operations.”
For further information www.itc-ltd.co.uk