Industrial Tooling Corporation (ITC) has introduced a solid end milling platform which offers an affordable series of cutting tools that demonstrate high performance and reliability in steel, stainless steel and cast iron applications. The new Widia WCE solid-carbide end mills deliver a cost-effective solution to suit small to medium machine shops.

Widia’s WCE platform initially features the new WCE4, a versatile four-flute geometry that offers features such as an asymmetrical pitch and variable helix. The asymmetrical pitch eradicates the harmonic effect of the tool to reduce vibration, enhance swarf evacuation and prolong tool life. Likewise, the variable helix geometry further reduces vibration to permit heavy cutting, while improving surface finish, tool life and overall stability.

WCE4 also introduces a new grade, WU20PE. According to ITC, this versatile grade provides exceptional versatility, giving the new end mills the facility to perform extremely well on steel, stainless steel and cast iron, as well as on high-temperature alloys and hardened materials. The grade’s design features, coupled with the four-flute geometry, deliver an end mill with reliable performance and application versatility, even in demanding operations such as full slotting and heavy cutting scenarios. Widia’s new variable helix end mills are available in diameters from 3 to 20 mm, and are suitable for shoulder milling, slotting, helical milling, ramping, plunge milling and 3D profiling.

The WCE platform includes four-flute square-end and ball-nose end mills with both straight and Weldon shanks available in metric and imperial dimensions. To provide complete flexibility, the new WCE4 series is also available with corner radii and a necked shank, providing engineers with additional reach when machining deep cavities, slots and complex forms. Later in 2022, ITC and Widia will be introducing the new WCE5 five-flute geometry end mills.

For further information
www.itc-ltd.co.uk

Yamazaki Mazak is set to open a new headquarters for its European laser business in Italy. The rising importance of European subsidiaries, as well developments in laser cutting technology, has ultimately led to the creation of a dedicated site, the new ‘European Technology Center (ETC) – Laser’ alongside the Italian subsidiary in Cerro Maggiore, near Milan.

The grand opening of ETC Laser will take place at an open house on 26-28 May. Notably, the new 800 sq m facility includes: a large showroom, where a selection of the company’s flagship laser-cutting machines will be in operation; a clean room, for maintenance operations on delicate optical components such as cutting heads; and other technological areas related to laser cutting machines.

For further information
www.mazakeu.com

A new electrochemical plasma process that reduces the surface roughness of 3D printed metal components is now part of Fintek’s subcontract services and machine sales in an exclusive agreement with Wallwork Heat Treatment. Palms, which stands for Plasma Additive Layer Manufacture Smoothing, was developed by Wallwork’s Cambridge R&D centre and its Manchester machine build division, which pioneers plasma coating equipment used by aerospace manufacturers, motorsport engineers and university R&D departments.

Wallwork director Simeon Collins says: “Despite the progress in additive manufacturing, the surface roughness of the parts produced can constrict their use in industries such as aerospace and medical. Having worked closely with Fintek we know that they are the UK’s foremost experts in meeting the real-world surface finishing needs of engineers. Palms gives them a new tool that is especially effective for metal parts made by 3D printing, as well as machined parts.”

For further information
www.fintek.co.uk/machines/palms

A strong order book has led a Thatcham-based manufacturer to invest in new laser equipment and move to a new facility. Taylor Made Fabrication (TMF) has purchased a Mazak Optiplex Nexus 3015 III fibre laser to improve processing speeds, increase production capacity and meet growing demand.

Ray Baker, director at TMF, says strong demand led the company to approve the investment: “We’re always busy and felt it was important to upgrade our laser cutting technology. Our previous machine was becoming slower and needed more maintenance to remain operational. We can’t afford any downtime or let customers down, so the new investment, which coincided with our move to a new facility, was deemed very important for the future of the company. Mazak’s Optiplex Nexus ticked all the boxes for us in terms of price, performance and capacity.”

The Optiplex is equipped with a 3 kW laser that has improved production throughput.

“We’ve been able to make significant improvements in processing speed and begin cutting thicker aluminium, stainless and mild steel, which has opened doors for us with new customers,” says Baker.

Founded in 1992, TMF manufactures parts for multiple industries, producing components to order through its fully equipped CNC machine workshop and online CADCAM facilities, which ensure continuity and accuracy.

“One of the main things that stood out about the Optiplex Nexus was the flexibility offered by its twin-pallet design, as opposed to our previous machine, which was only equipped with a single pallet,” says Baker. “Being able to save time on loading sheets while we take out completed workpieces has made a significant improvement to our productivity.”

For further information
www.mazakeu.co.uk

Grimsby-based specialist engineering company Fowler & Holden is set to expand its manufacturing facilities and invest in new machinery following a £250,000 funding package from HSBC UK. The support will allow the business to expand its facilities through the addition of new and repurposed factory space, with the additional space used to house a second moulding line and new plant room. This expansion will increase the privately-owned company’s production capacity by up to 80% and create up to 14 new jobs.

The HSBC funding will also enable investment in new equipment, which includes a sand recycling machine so that the business can re-use up to 95% of the sand from its casting process, substantially reducing waste. As a result, there will be a reduced need for sand quarrying, while fewer HGVs will be required for transportation.

For further information
www.bit.ly/3I8l0h2