Now available from stock from TW Ward CNC Machinery (Ward CNC) is the Takisawa TT1100GC twin-spindle turning centre and the single-spindle TCC1100GA.

The Takisawa TT1100GC is a gantry-loaded turning cell with an in-built component stocking system for the lights-out machining of precision small parts. With both spindles mounted on a single-piece rigid bed casting, this machine incorporates precision hardened and ground box slideways and a high-speed servo turret.

Emphasising the speed of this machine is the ultra-fast loading and unloading of parts. Capable of loading components in 1.7 seconds, the loader is positioned at the front of the machining chamber to reduce the loading distance, while the movement of the spindle forward to the loading position further reduces component transition times.

Takisawa’s load/unload system works in tandem with a supply and discharge station that is integrated into the machine envelope to minimise footprint. The station is configurable as a three-guide bar type or a centre-pole type station with the part gripper available as a parallel or swivel type hand. In addition, the machine incorporates a peripheral modular unit that presents a measuring unit, washing unit, part positioning via camera, phase determining unit and a turnover transfer unit.

Also available from stock is the TCC1100GA. With a footprint of just 1.8 x 2 m and a high-speed loader, the TCC1100GA is a 6-inch chucking machine offering a maximum turning diameter of 220 mm and a turning length up to 171 mm with a bar capacity of 42 mm diameter. This single-spindle, single-turret turning centre has the choice of an eight-tool turret as standard, or an optional 12-tool station.

For further information
www.wardcnc.com

A new name in Scottish subcontracting has continued its upwards trajectory and expanded its machining capacity through further investment in machine tools from Yamazaki Mazak. Aberdeen-based 247 Machining Services (247) was founded by husband-and-wife director team, John and Aileen Forrest, in 2018 after 30 years working in the steel fabrication and engineering sector. The company specialises in providing performance-critical parts for the oil and gas industry, and traditionally produces low-volume, high-value batches of components.

Having previously purchased multiple Mazak Quick Turn turning centres over the company’s three-year history, including a QT-Compact 200M and two QT-350MY machines, the Forrests have now invested in an Integrex i-400 five-axis multi-tasking machine to increase its production capabilities.

“The quality machining offered by our existing QT turning centres meant that when we were looking to expand our portfolio further, Mazak was our first choice,” says John Forrest. “We wanted to make the move into high-volume, high-quality batch machining for the oil and gas sector, and look at branching into additional industries in the future, and the Integrex fitted the bill.”

With a maximum machining diameter of 658 mm, and capable of processing in the X, Z, Y and W axes, the new Integrex is suited to 247’s ambitions to produce a wider range of more complex parts.

“Our combination of highly trained operators and cutting-edge machine tools, of which Mazak makes up the majority, have been key parts of our continued growth,” says Aileen Forrest. “These, alongside a rigorous quality control process, has meant we’ve been able to go from an empty floor to a situation where our current premises may not be large enough to service growing demand levels.”

For further information
www.mazakeu.co.uk

Supply chain support and longer-term assistance are top of the wish list for UK manufacturing SMEs if they are to make the most of the post-pandemic recovery and the long-anticipated UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Over 75% of the 335 firms questioned by the Manufacturing Growth Programme (MGP) in its latest report indicated that supply chain improvement would make them more profitable, while grants to help them buy new equipment and invest in new technologies to support digitalisation would make the biggest difference to ongoing performance.

The survey – the largest ever undertaken on the future of industrial business support – showed that management teams wanted access to specialist external advice and funding to drive profitability (68%), increase sales (62%) and boost productivity (58%). Some 75% felt that leadership and management training would be beneficial, while 83% wanted business support delivery from experts with significant industry experience.

For further information
www.manufacturinggrowthprogramme.co.uk

Bystronic UK enjoyed a successful bending workshop earlier this month. The two-day event focused on supporting existing press-brake operators by expanding their knowledge and increasing their skills with machines and tooling. Demonstrations and interactive presentations covered all aspects of bending technology, from improving set-up times, to automation and programming, and a big focus on tooling and tooling maintenance.

The visitors were able to learn from Bystronic global bending expert Gerrit Gerritsen, who has over 35 years’ experience. Bystronic UK is now planning another event: the company’s open house will take place on 4-8 April and will showcase all of the latest Bystronic technology. Visit the company’s website to book a place.

For further information
www.bystronic.co.uk

Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division has introduced full IP54 protection for its latest range of Absolute Arm models, together with other usability improvements and compatibility with the HxGN SFx asset management service. From ultra-high-accuracy probing with the Absolute Arm Compact to high-productivity 3D laser scanning with the Absolute Arm 7-Axis and Absolute Scanner AS1, every new Absolute Arm model will be fully equipped for the demands of measuring and monitoring in the most challenging measurement environments.

According to Hexagon, an IP54 protection rating is a market first for portable measuring arms and comes alongside a further environment-related improvement that sees the system’s maximum operating temperature increased to 45°C. Together with the Absolute Arm’s portability and versatility, these updates complete a package that is suitable for the demands of the hot and dusty environments in which metrology-grade inspection is used all over the world.

“In the past few years we’ve seen a migration in where our arms are being used,” explains Anthony Vianna, product director – portable measuring arms. “Whereas once most arms would sit in a nice clean metrology room, today we see them used on shop floors, in foundries and close to machining centres. That’s why this update to the Absolute Arm is so important – we want our customers to go into those environments with total confidence that they can measure anywhere.”

Also arriving with this update are improvements to the functionality of the Absolute Arm wrist display, now upgraded to a touchscreen, and the RDS software that drives it. These are changes intended to further enhance the ease of on-the-ground measurement processes by bringing more functionality to the point of measurement and reducing trips back and forth between the arm and its control computer.

For further information www.hexagonmi.com