UK NEWS

Another civil nuclear MOU

Sheffield Forgemasters has signed an MOU to collaborate with Holtec Britain on the development of components for its SMR-160 reactor.Following similar agreements signed with three other nuclear power companies, the MOU with Holtec will see Sheffield Forgemasters develop the design of Holtec’s SMR-160 components to identify the best routes to manufacture.The company says that the latest MOU positions it at the apex of the UK’s manufacturing supply chain for the small modular reactor (SMR) market and builds on its long history of supplying components into civil nuclear projects across the globe.
For further information www.sheffieldforgemasters.com

MACH Machine Tools unveils knee-mill series

MACH Machine Tools, part of the Vigilance Group and a supplier of CNC andmanual machines, is introducing a range of flexible, high-productivity CNC knee mills, comprising the MACH MDS 700-4T and MACH MDS 900-4T models. Both are equipped with the three-axis DynaPath WinDelta control and feature integrated, four-station automatic tool changers positioned around their directly driven BT40 (5000 rpm) spindles. The machines come with large worktables (up to 1470x 320mm) that support loads up to 220kg.

The DynaPath control, available on all new CNC lathes, toolroom mills and machining centres from MACH Machine Tools, is one of the most widely used control systems in the world.Used extensively in the US and Far East for over 50 years, MACH Machine Tools says that the control is flexible, versatile and easy-to-use – providing customers with simple-to-understand navigation and operation screens, and accommodating ISO and conversational programming on the same platform.

With online CAD editing capabilities, semi-auto functions and DRO operation, as well as the ability to run programs of unlimited size, top-of-the-line dynamic motion control and the system’s revolutionary 24/7 remote diagnostic control – the company says that it is clear and understandable why the DynaPath control is becoming the preferred option for experienced and aspiring manufacturers.

Says Dave Andrew, managing director of the Vigilance Group:“Knee-mill technology has come on leaps and bounds over the past few years and we are at the head of these developments.Our MDS 700-4T and MDS 900-4T machines, equipped with the DynaPath control system and integrated tool changers, demonstrate that toolroom mills that deliver increased and improved productivity, flexibility and process efficiencies.”
For further information www.machmt.co.uk

Protolabs expands production capabilities

Digital manufacturer Protolabs is expanding the production capabilities of its global CNC machining service, creating new opportunities for product development worldwide. Customers who upload a 3D CAD model to the online quoting platform can now access a range of better-qualified suppliers through Protolabs’ digital supply network. The seamless transition between in-house and network production options opens up a wealth of advanced machining capabilities designed to reduce part costs, increase tolerances and provide a broader range of finishing options.
For further information www.protolabs.com/en-gb

NTG invests in more five-axis capacity

NTG has put its first machine into a new facility in Gateshead and at the same time increased its five-axis machining capacity.The subcontract manufacturer remains on the Team Valley Trading Estate in Gateshead, but has massively increased the size of its premises, up to 45,000 sq ft, from 18,000 sq ft.The first machine into the new facility is a new Mazak VariAxis i-800 NEO.

Mike Hutchinson, group managing director at NTG Holdings, says the investment in both the new facility and the new machining technology opens up opportunities for his company: “Our five-axis capability has become a bottleneck due to demand from customers for this type of complex work. The new machine will enable us to offer shorter lead times by reducing the restrictions around our five-axis work.”

The VariAxis i-800 NEO is a five-axis vertical machining centre that delivers advanced high-speed multiple-surface machining in a large machining area. It will be followed by another 50 machines that will be transferred to the new facility in the coming weeks, including Mazak turning centres, Integrex multi-tasking machines and vertical machining centres.

“We’ve increasingly diversified the business from its roots as predominantly a tooling and oil and gas focused supplier,” explains Hutchinson.“We now operate across defence, food production, energy, subsea, electric vehicles and renewables. The new facility will give us the footprint to be able to continue to grow and service all our sectors, while also giving us the footprint to introduce more capacity and new technologies in the future.”

Mazak has been a long-time partner for NTG, helping the company make the move into complex five-axis work more than a decade ago.
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk

GM CNC unveils heavy-duty machining centre

According to GM CNC,unparalleled stability and rigidity are the foundation blocks of the new VictorVcenter G-series range, which offers high material removal rates for applications where manufacturers are processing particularly challenging materials.

The three-axis G series is available in a trio of sizes to meet diverse demands. Unlike its competitors in the mid-sized VMC market segment, the G-series incorporates a meehanite casting with a wide base A-frame design, a wide span column, four boxways and screw removers with a wide boxway.

Victor’s smaller G105 provides X, Y and Z-axis travel of 1050 x 600 x 600mm,stretching to a spacious 1650 x 850 x 900mm on the largest G165. This freedom of movement is matched by accommodating bed sizes of 1100 x 600mm (G105), 1400 x 700mm (G135) and 1700 x 800mm (G165). Furthermore, the robust nature of the range permits the loading of components up to 1200, 2200 and 2500kg respectively.

Common features on all three machines include a powerful gearhead spindle design that generates a power output of 18.5 kW with a torque level of 498Nm. Developed, manufactured and built in-house by Victor, the 6000rpm gearhead design spindle retains maximum torque levels throughout the speed range. Thisfactor makes the Vcenter series a good choice for machining hard materials and exotic alloys with high material removal rates. In addition, the G-series incorporates a Big-Plus BBT-50 spindle taper that guarantees dual face and taper spindle contact.

The Victor Vcenter has an automatic tool change unit with 24-tool capacity and the option for 32 or 40 tool positions; all positions can accommodate tools up to 15kg.
For further information www.gm-cnc.com