Open Mind’s hyperMILL Best Fit is a new function to help optimise the planning of machining operations. Instead of having to manually align the un-machined part that is clamped in the machine to the NC program, the hyperMILL CAM system aligns the NC program automatically to the component position. This method saves time and increases process reliability, especially with carbon fibre parts, as well as cast, forged, welded and additively manufactured stock featuring small or irregular allowances.

The hyperMILL Best Fit function takes full advantage of the options offered by the virtual machine in the CAM program and communication protocols within a five-axis machining centre that make it possible to undertake 3D measurements and eliminate the uncertainty which comes with manual alignment.

Up to now, it has been standard practice to adapt the stock and the clamping in the machine to the conditions of the NC program. One way to solve this time-consuming issue is to align the component in CAM in real-time. The unaligned stock is probed on the machine by way of a 3D measurement. Then, the measurement log is sent to the CAM system, and hyperMILL Best Fit adjusts the NC code to the actual position of the component. Virtual world programming is adapted to real world clamping, not the other way around. Finally, the adjusted NC code is simulated in the virtual machine on the actual clamping set up, followed by automatic optimisation.

“What makes this unique is that unlike previous solutions available on the market, hyperMILL Best Fit does not change the origin on the controller and generates completely collision-checked tool paths,” says Manfred Guggemos, product manager at Open Mind Technologies.

For further information
www.openmind-tech.com

Research from Subcon has revealed that more than half (58%) of UK manufacturing businesses currently export, and that exporting volumes have increased for 32% of them over the past 12 months. The research also showed that 83% expect to increase export levels over the next 12 months, while exports are anticipated to grow by up to 10% for half of respondents, and 11-20% for the remaining half.

Two thirds (69%) of manufacturing and engineering businesses used subcontractors in the past year, with 48% expecting to increase the proportion of work given to UK subcontractors over the coming 12 months. This is mainly driven by a lack of in-house capacity (45%), a desire among manufacturers and engineering businesses to focus on core competencies (38%), and gaining access to skills that are lacking in-house (35%).

For further information
www.subconshow.co.uk

With over 300 ATC (Automatic Tool Change) press brakes installed throughout Europe and more than 1000 globally, Amada is bringing the company’s proprietary ATC technology to its mid-range line-up for the first time. Previously only available on high-end press brakes such as the Amada HG-ATC and its predecessor the HD-ATC, the new Amada HRB-ATC mid-range model responds directly to market demand for a solution of this type using original Amada tooling.

The HRB-ATC features a full size ATC, offering exactly the same number of tool storage racks as the company’s high-end HG-ATC press brake. Furthermore, the machine comes with a package of Amada tools based on an assessment of the customer’s manufacturing requirements. Importantly, the HRB-ATC is completely compatible with Amada AFH/Promecam standard tool sets. As a result, any existing customer using these tools can load them manually to the new machine if desired.

A CNC press brake with ATC capability brings many advantages to companies that want to increase the amount of time their press brake is engaged in actual bending activities. The ATC can reduce set-up times by up to 80% in comparison with an operator loading a tool manually, which is a clear benefit for subcontractors or companies that undertake several tool layout changes a day.

With its ATC and rapid set-up potential, the new press brake is suitable for those processing small batch sizes. Subcontract fabricators serving markets such as refrigeration, kitchen equipment, retail display, furniture and construction, for instance, will benefit.

The machine is initially available as a 100 tonne/3 m model, with a 220 tonne/4 m model planned for release later this year.

For further information
www.amada.eu

CNC tube and pipe bending machines from Schwarze-Robitec have long since proven themselves in shipbuilding and the offshore industry. Therefore, after successfully using a CNC 220 HD (Heavy Duty) for the past two years, Norwegian company Framo has once again opted for a tube and pipe bending machine from the HD series. The CNC 80 HD processes tubes and pipes of various geometries for Framo’s piping systems with precision and speed.

From its headquarters in Bergen, Norway, Framo offers numerous solutions for demanding pumping operations on ships and offshore installations.
The single-stack CNC 80 HD is suitable for continuous use under heavy loads, bending tubes and pipes up to a diameter of 89 mm with a maximum wall thickness of 7.6 mm. In addition to smooth stainless-steel pipes, it is even possible to process high-strength duplex steel with dimensions of 65 x 5 mm. Both the CNC 220 HD and the CNC 80 HD have an integrated flange pipe device that eliminates the need for any subsequent flanging of pipes, reducing costs and boosting productivity.

Even before the bending process begins, Schwarze-Robitec uses special software to determine the perfect cut length. Certain factors, information on the material and empirical values are included in the calculation. The specification of the ideal cut length eliminates the need for subsequent reworking and corrective work steps. After the bending process, the tube or pipe is immediately ready for installation, shortening production times and reducing material costs.

For further information
www.schwarze-robitec.com

The National Centre for Eye Proton Therapy, part of The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust’s Wirral campus, is a world leader in the treatment of rare eye cancers. The advantage of proton treatment is that the penetration depth of the 60 MeV proton beam can be controlled and only has a maximum range of 31 mm in water, making it suitable for treating any position within the eye and, in many cases, preventing the complete removal of a patient’s eye.

Patients require four treatments over four consecutive days that each take just 20 minutes. Key to the success of that treatment is a small brass component called a collimator, which is tailor-made to shape the beam to cover a specific tumour, while protecting the surrounding area. These collimators are now being machined using a new XYZ 500 LR vertical machining centre, in a cycle time that is 95% shorter than before.

Prior to treatment, a patient has the affected eye scanned to precisely identify the size and position of the tumour. Following conversion of the scan into a DXF file, a Siemens CAD reader generates tool paths for the XYZ 500 LR. From receiving the scanned data to finished part now takes between 15 and 20 minutes (against more than two hours previously), with less than seven of those minutes actual machining time.

This significant time saving has two major benefits. First, it frees-up time in the workshop to carry out other tasks, and second, on those occasions where a quick turnaround is required, it is possible to complete machining of the collimator in the time it takes the radiographer to set-up the proton beam machine and prepare the patient for treatment.

For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com