The National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) and the world’s largest aerospace company, Boeing, have officially opened a new research and development (R&D) facility in Westway Park, Renfrewshire. At over 60,000 sq ft, the new NMIS facility incorporates the Metallics Research Centre with Boeing, which will see the delivery of the aerospace giant’s £11.8m R&D programme in collaboration with the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), part of the NMIS Group.

Aiming to reduce materials waste and identify opportunities that improve safety, productivity and the environmental impact of its aircraft, technical teams from Boeing and NMIS are exploring novel manufacturing technologies for metallic components, building on over a decade’s worth of R&D with the University of Strathclyde and the AFRC, where Boeing is a founding partner. The new R&D facility will house cutting-edge manufacturing equipment for use across NMIS projects.

For further information www.nmis.scot

Citizen Machinery UK is holding an open house at its Bushey, Hertfordshire headquarters and recently opened Solutions Centre this week (12-14 October). The company sells its Japanese principal’s sliding-head (Cincom) and fixed-head (Miyano) bar-fed CNC turn-milling centres into the UK and Irish markets, and is the distribution hub for Citizen machines going into France, Spain, Portugal, Scandinavia, the Middle East and Africa.

Managing director Edward James says: “We are delighted to re-introduce the physical in-house exhibition format, where people can actually attend and network with others. We will not only be celebrating the return of this annual event, but commemorating a true milestone in the development of Citizen Machinery UK, as the open house will mark the fifth anniversary of the launch of our ground-breaking LFV (low frequency vibration) chip-breaking software.”

Register at: https://is.gd/hudidi

With the MD266 Supreme solid-carbide milling cutter for the aerospace industry, Walter is launching a universal aluminium specialist. The tool is suitable for all roughing, semi-finishing and finishing operations in ISO N materials.

In the new range, Walter offers the uncoated MD266 Supreme (z2/z3) with centre cut and a reduced neck from 2 to 25 mm diameter. A radius at the end of the cutting edge minimises transition steps when wall finishing. According to Walter, this concept is why the milling cutter is suitable for machining deep pockets where slot milling or ramping has preceded in the process. The internal coolant with axial outlet from 6 mm diameter maximises lubrication and improves chip evacuation. As a result, long tool life is possible with minimal build-up on the cutting edge, thereby ensuring increased process reliability.

The high operational smoothness of the MD266 Supreme is the result of a 30° helix angle and low-vibration micro-geometry. These features are a particular advantage for users because high speeds are frequently accompanied by challenging conditions. Walter’s MD266 Supreme is specifically for machining wrought aluminium alloys, particularly in applications where the focus is on high power and high metal removal rates, as well as process reliability.

Examples include the machining of structural parts in the aerospace industry, as well as components in general engineering. MD266 Supreme is capable of full slotting and ramping and, alongside its high performance and process reliability, is impressive due to its suitability for universal applications.

For further information
www.walter-tools.com

Manufacturing Technology Centre chief executive Dr Clive Hickman has received one of the Royal Academy of Engineering’s most prestigious awards – the Sir Frank Whittle Medal. The academy said that Dr Hickman received the award – named after the inventor of the jet engine – in recognition of his outstanding career in the automobile industry and for leading the set-up and growth of two engineering research centres: the Manufacturing Technology Centre and the Tata Motors European Technical Centre. Dr Hickman has been chief executive of the Manufacturing Technology Centre for more than 11 years.

Said Dr Hickman: “I am honoured to be awarded the Sir Frank Whittle Gold Medal but I could not have achieved anything in my career without the help and support of the great teams that I have been privileged to work with. So I would like to thank all of my colleagues, friends and family for their continued support.”

For further information www.the-mtc.org

Adding the XYZ SS 65 twin/sub-spindle turning centre to XYZ Machine Tools’ range breaks new ground as it is the company’s first foray into multi-spindle turning centres. The introduction is due to demand from customers looking for increased productivity and reduced spindle downtime.

Notably, the XYZ SS 65 houses a 16.5 kW, 4000 rpm main spindle with 65 mm bar capacity and 200 mm diameter chuck as standard. Complementing this is a 150 mm chuck on the 11 kW, 5000 rpm sub-spindle, which has a 52 mm bore. The German-built Sauter 12-position turret has live tooling at every station, with 100 mm (±50 mm) Y-axis travel.

Contouring is facilitated by the C axes on both spindles, which feature a brake to allow substantial milling cuts. The maximum turned diameter is 380 mm, while Z-axis travel is 520 mm, providing a significant working envelope.

Control is via the Siemens 828D ShopTurn 15-inch touchscreen panel, which customers can enhance with the optional Siemens offline programming and CAD reader software if required. All this is built around a 30° slant-bed design with linear ways for faster positioning speeds. The bed is of solid cast construction, meaning the XYZ SS 65 weighs in at 5000 kg, a robust base from which to maximise performance.

“The ability to machine components in one-hit, thereby reducing part handling and idle time, will enable machine shops to maximise productivity and spindle up-time, while making use of available labour,” says XYZ’s managing director Nigel Atherton. “And, at around £120,000, this high-specification machine is on offer at a tempting price point for either existing sub-spindle users looking to upgrade, or those wanting to take their first steps into this technology area.”

For further information
www.xyzmachinetools.com