UK NEWS

Cloud-based app for CNC machining optimisation

Productive Machines, a spin out from the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) is unveiling‘Essential Optimization’, a web application that prevents chatter vibrations and provides engineers with a simple-to-use solution to select optimum, stable spindle speeds and feed rates.

The Essential Optimization app, powered by Productive Machines’ machining dynamics algorithms, promises to turbocharge machining operations by mitigating chatter vibrations and cutting force related problems. This new capability enables manufacturers to increase productivity, reduce waste and improve surface finish. It provides a new approach to stable milling by taking into account both the machine tool dynamics and the cutting forces involved prior to manufacture. This user-friendly software-as-a-service (SaaS), assists manufacturers in making their processes hyper-efficient without the need for installed software or machining physics expertise.

“Productive Machines is committed to providing cutting-edge solutions that assist engineers in reaching the best part, faster, first time,” says Dr Erdem Ozturk, CEO of Productive Machines. “Our Essential Optimization app represents a significant step forward in the quest for chatter-free machining. We are replacing trial-and-error processes with data. By combining tap testing data and innovative algorithms, we’re providing a vital easy-to-use tool for the machining industry. This capability will be a direct input to our digital twin, enabling five-axis tool-path simulation and optimisation in 2024.”

Richard Nevill, commercial director at Productive Machines, adds:“We are running a special promotion to get engineers/operators tap testing called TapStarter. Tap testing, enhanced by Productive Machines’ easy-to-use technology, brings precision and efficiency to manufacturing, enabling operators to optimise machine tool performance, reduce waste and enhance product quality.”

For further information www.productivemachines.co.uk

£140,000 for iAero Centre

The Heart of the South West LEP has announced £144,500 to support ‘factory of the future’ digitisation for SMEs. This new funding will allow the iAero Centre at Yeovil to install an Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) Factory+ demonstrator and equipment, thus creating a dedicated digital data demonstration space. TheiFACTORe project will focus on harnessing the power of data to drive innovation and collaboration in the aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors. By collecting and analysing vast amounts of data, companies can enhance efficiency and productivity.

For further information https://iaerocentre.co.uk

Record-breaking revenue for Mills CNC

Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of machine tools by DN Solutions and Zayer in the UK and Ireland, and a supplier of advanced automation systems, has had a great 2023. The company, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, announced that combined sales revenue from all of its operations over the past 12 months, surpassed £78m for the first time in its history.

“2023 was a real watershed for the company,” statesTony Dale, Mills CNC’s CEO. “We introduced new models, began selling Zayer machines,and our automation and turnkey solutions business went from strength-to-strength.These factors, combined with higher demand for our more established DN Solutions machine tools, resulted in our best-ever sales performance and I would like to thank all our customers for their continued support.A big ‘shout out’ also goes to our incredible team because, without them, we simply couldn’t have achieved such ground-breaking results.”

For further information www.millscnc.co.uk

Birmingham engineer gets royal recognition

A West Midlands engineer was recognised in the New Year’s Honours List.Rowan Crozier, CEO of metal pressing, stamping and tooling specialist Brandauer, received an MBE for services to manufacturing and enterprise.Crozierhelped steer the company through the pandemic and towards a record-breaking £9.3m year, sending millions of components to more than 26 countries every week.He is also an ambassador for developing the industry professionals of the future, revolutionising the firm’s apprenticeship scheme, and helping to launch the UK’s first Precision Toolmaking Academy in late 2022.

For further information www.brandauer.co.uk

Ceratizit-sponsored cyclist wins again

Having won world, Olympic and European champion titles, Katie Archibald is a track cyclist with an impressive number of achievements. Competing worldwide for Team GB, Archibald enjoys sponsorship by Ceratizit: she rides a top-of-the-range Hope Technology bike featuring component machined using Ceratizit cutting tools.

In celebration of Archibald recently accomplishing her 20th European title, she was invited to Ceratizit’s Technical Centre in Sheffield where she was presented with a trophy to mark this incredible milestone. Among those presenting Archibald with the trophy was Stephen Pennington, projects application engineer for Ceratizit UK and Ireland, who worked on this project from the start. The company used Ceratizit tooling to manufacture the trophy.

For further information www.ceratizit.com