Resource centre for machine builders

Machine builders and companies looking to bring new technologies to market are set to benefit from a new resource centre launched by PP Control & Automation (PP C&A). The UK strategic manufacturing outsourcing specialist has pooled all its expertise and knowledge into an easy-to-use online hub that will provide crucial insights into the benefits of outsourcing and how it can overcome common pain points.

Free of charge to access, the content will be a mix of downloadable documents, podcasts and videos that will address key strategic outsourcing questions through a combination of guides, customer case studies and thought leadership pieces. There will also be specific white papers on UL standards, production and engineering topics, and industry analysis and trends.
For further information www.ppcanda.com

Apex becomes Renishaw partner

Edinburgh-based CMM support and equipment supplier, Apex Metrology, is the latest partner of Renishaw’s Channel Partner Programme, which aims to enhance levels of local customer service and product support. This partnership agreement sees Apex Metrology become a ‘Premium Partner’, supporting the installation and integration of Renishaw’s CMM product range, including the UCC range of retrofit solutions and providing access to the portfolio of gauging, styli and fixturing products. Apex Metrology is the first company from Scotland to join the programme.
For further information www.renishaw.com

Biomass proves inspired decision at XYZ

To help save energy, as well as the environmental and financial impact of disposing of over 100 tons of wood (pallets) every year, XYZ Machine Tools installed a Froling TX200 250 kW woodchip biomass boiler with Untha wood-chipper at its Tiverton site. Feeding a silo that can contain 10 days of wood chippings, the £180,000 investment is resulting in annual savings of around £100,000 as a result of eliminating costs for transport, landfill, and the gas bill, as well as a rebate for the energy saved.

These savings were at a time prior to the current spike in energy costs, so savings generated now may well be £25,000 per year greater. The rebate is due to the system at XYZ Machine Tools qualifying for the Government’s Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme (now closed to new applicants). The RHI provided businesses with a cash incentive for every kWh of heat generated, which requires monitoring along with the volume of wood used. Companies that qualified for the scheme receive a quarterly index linked rebate over a 20-year period.
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

ITC expands trochoidal tool range

Industrial Tooling Corporation (ITC) has once again extended its trochoidal milling portfolio with the introduction of the new 6054 end-mill series. Complementing the depth of the company’s four- and five-flute trochoidal ranges, ITC has now expanded its six-flute range with the arrival of the 6054 series.

Developed specifically for the machining of steel and exotic material types, the 6054 series offers manufacturers a long flute length for reaching into pockets and difficult-to-reach surfaces. The company says that the geometry of the 6054 series provides end users with a robust and stable platform which instils confidence when undertaking extended-length machining with high material removal rates. Furthermore, the latest end mills have a centre-cutting geometry with harmonic fluting to maximise material removal rates.

Swarf evacuation comes courtesy of effective chip breakers. The 6054 series has a square-end geometry for 90° machining in corners, with a corner radius range also available. The corner radius tools with 0.25. 0.5, 0.75 or 1 mm radius prevent edge chipping and prolong tool life.

ITC’s six-flute series is available with diameter options of 6, 8, 10, 12, 16 and 20 mm, with a length of cut from 18 mm on the 6 mm diameter tool, through to 60 mm on the 20 mm diameter end mills. To provide long reach, the 6054 series is available with an overall tool length from 75 to 150 mm depending upon the diameter selected. Rigidity and performance get a boost with a shallow chip gullet that guarantees core strength for high material removal rates and stability. Complementing this feature is the polished harmonic flutes and Cupro coating that work in synergy with the chip-breaker design to evacuate chips at high rates.
For further information www.itc-ltd.co.uk

Latest chip breaker for machining aluminium

Widia has added an AL geometry insert to its ISO turning portfolio, strengthening its offering of affordable tooling solutions for small to medium sized shops machining aluminium and non-ferrous materials. The AL geometry insert is available in two grades for increased machining versatility: an uncoated micro-fine carbide WU10HT grade and the WU05PT PVD AlTiN coated grade. Each grade is available in all popular styles, including C, D, R, T, and V inserts to increase customer tooling options.

In addition to enhanced product versatility from multiple grade and style offerings, the AL geometry insert offers additional benefits. For instance, a highly polished rake face improves chip flow, resulting in shorter set up times due to less manual retrieval of chips following each cut. The periphery ground insert also features a sharper cutting edge to increase overall tooling precision and reduce cutting forces. Reliable tooling performance means customers can dedicate more time to machining and less time to secondary deburring operations because of the reduction in built-up edge.

“The AL geometry portfolio offers tooling versatility when machining different components and workpieces, while also providing more precise and reliable machining performance,” says Anil Kumar, Widia global turning portfolio manager. “By focusing on both tooling performance and value, we’re helping our customers maximise their return on our products.”

Versatile, reliable, and cost-effective – Widia says that its AL geometry is a universal solution for machine shops seeking lower cutting forces, extended tool life and greater tooling productivity when machining a variety of non-ferrous workpiece materials, particularly aluminium. Customers can place orders for the new AL inserts and other Widia metal-cutting tools through any authorised distribution partner.
For further information www.widia.com