THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS

Latest MACH flat-bed lathes feature DynaPath control

MACH Machine Tools, part of the Vigilance Group, has introduced twoflat-bedCNC lathes into the market, both equipped with the DynaPath WinDelta control system.
The 8” (three-jaw) chuck MDL 1600 lathe and the larger 8/10” (three-jaw) chuck MDL 1800 model are equipped with 7.5kW/3500rpm spindles (12Nm), four-tool position turrets, sub-spindles (1kW/4000rpm), manual tailstocks (150mm travel), and boast 5 m/min rapids on their X and Z axes.

Capacity is model dependant.The MDL 1600 has X- and Z-axis travels of 230 and 820mm respectively, and a distance between centres of 1050 mm,while the MDL 1800 has 350mm (X-axis travel) and 1000mm (Z-axis travel) with 1250mm between centres.

The X and Zaxes on both machines feature precision ground box ways and precision ball screws for high accuracy and process optimisation.Both machines are suitable for performing a range of machining operations – turning, parting, grooving, facing, threading and tapping, as well as keyway, face and cylindrical milling of precision parts.

The DynaPath WinDelta control with 12.1” touchscreen available on all new MACH Machine Tools’ CNC lathes, tool-room mills and machining centres, is one of the most widely used control systems in the world. Deployed extensively in the US and the Far East for over 50 years, MACH Machine Tools says that the DynaPath control is flexible, versatile and easy-to-use, providing customers with simple-to-understand navigation and operation screens accommodating ISO and conversational programming on one platform. With online CAD editing capabilities, semi-auto functions and DRO operation, the DynaPath control provides power, speed and capability to even the most discerning machinist.
For further information www.machmt.co.uk

Renishaw and Metrologic renew strategic agreement

Some 20 years after their first agreement, Renishaw and Metrologic Group have strengthened their collaboration by signing a new strategic agreement to meet new challenges faced by the manufacturing industry. Customers will benefit from Renishaw’s Revofive-axis CMM scanning systems, PH20 five-axis touch-trigger systems and the Equator shop-floor gauging system, powered by Metrologic’s X4 software platform. This will provide full integration of metrology solutions with the X4 software platform.

Covering the entire manufacturing chain and bringing its expertise to five-axis technology applications and the Equator gauging system, Metrologic Group is introducing new developments to its universal software platform that will power Renishaw’s products with an easy-to-use, intuitive and ergonomic solution.

This win-win association allows the enduser to bring 3D measurement close to the production line with the combination of Metrolog X4 and Renishaw’s Equator system. Also, thanks to five-axis technology combined with the ease of programming of Metrologic Group software, manufacturers can increase their CMM productivity, improve part quality and reduce scrap.

Says Laurent Monge, president of Metrologic Group: “We are committed to working with our customers to improve their productivity and bring 3D metrology closer to the manufacturing line. As such, I am convinced that combining Renishaw five-axis technologies together with the Metrologic Group software solution represents a key step in that journey.”

Victor Escobar, president of Renishaw SAS, adds: “The integration of Renishaw’s measurement technologies with Metrolog X4 will allow both existing and new users of Metrolog software to reap the benefits of accurate, high-speed, multi-sensor CMM measurement and fast flexible shop-floor gauging. This combination of technologies from Metrologic and Renishaw will enable significantly faster, value-added measurement for both process control at the point of manufacture and conventional quality assurance activities.”
For further informationwww.renishaw.com

Trumpf to expand smart factory

Trumpf Group will add 55,800 sq ft to its production building for the manufacture of laser cutting, bending and welding machinery at Farmington, Connecticut. The project is part of ongoing recovery efforts related to damage sustained after an aircraft crashed into the production building in September of 2021. Trumpf will invest an estimated $40m into the project, which will include a smart factory that demonstrates advanced automated and connected precision sheet metal production. Completion is expected in May 2024.

“North America remains our most important business market outside of our domestic market in Germany,” says Nicola Leibinger-Kammüller, CEO of the Trumpf Group. “This project is an important step toward the next generation of manufacturing for Trumpf and our customers across the United States.”
For further information www.trumpf.com

NCMT sponsors university racing team

University of Wolverhampton Racing (UWR) has gained a new official sponsor – machine tool supplier NCMT, best known in the UK and Ireland as the sole agent for selling the Japanese Okuma and Makino brands. The agreement was struck in mid-February 2023, in time for the first race of the Britcar Prototype Cup.UWR is the only student-run team that competes in the Prototype Cup using a Praga R1, a Czech-manufactured racing car eligible for the competition.

Jonathan Smart, managing director of NCMT, says: “We are delighted to start sponsoring UWR, which unlike all other student teams in the UK competes against professional racing teams. It gives their graduates the edge when trying to enter professional motorsport or other employment.Moreover, the Department of Engineering is especially committed to extending opportunities and promoting diversity in engineering and motorsport.”
For further information www.ncmt.co.uk

OPG invests in brand new surface grinder

Gateshead-based Omega Plastics Group (OPG) has recently been successful in securing orders of over £2m for a wide range of multi-impression fully hardened production tools. This results in the manufacture of hundreds of core and cavity inserts, together with side cores and other ancillaries for customers.

OPG’s recent business-winning success was instrumental in its investment decision to extend the company’s surface grinding capability, thusimproving efficiencies and catering for multiple insert set-ups and larger X, Y and Z-axis grinding capacities. The machine is also equipped with dust extraction, an 800 x 400 mm magnetic table and a coolant filtration system.

Following a frustrating six-week period of window shopping and searching for a viable solution,the agility of the team from RK International Machine Tools resulted in the delivery of asurface grinder within three weeks from placement of order.

The new PERFECT PFG-D4080AH surface grinder was supplied and delivered to OPG on a short lead time and included the installation of a digital readout prior to shipping.This acquisition will allow the company to reduce its reliance on the laborious task of sub-contracting this type of work. Also through the ability of NC programming and auto down-feed will expand the multi-tasking approach of the company’s skilled workforce, and allow the machine to run unattended.

A survey based on the workflow of current production demands estimated that the time saved by investing in the new surface grinding machine will result in efficiency gains of 3%, resulting in saving over 180 hours compared with the company’s smaller manual machines.
For further information www.rk-int.com