GEWEFA UK Adds Tool-Holder Range for Turning Centres

Under a sole agency agreement, GEWEFA UK has been appointed to sell and service in Britain and Ireland the driven and static tool holders, both standard and special, manufactured in Germany by Wendel Tools.

It means that the UK subsidiary of GEWEFA, also a German manufacturer of tool-holding and allied products, now probably offers the most comprehensive range of such equipment. The company arrives at this understanding because it also sells the products of six other partner firms, all but one being German: EWS (driven and static turning tool holders); Fahrion (chucks and collets); Nann (standard and special collets); Ott-Jakob (tool clamping systems); Pibomulti (a Swiss manufacturer of angle heads, speeders and multi-spindle heads); and Rineck (heat-shrink tool holders and machines).

Nicole Lloyd-Foxe, managing director of GEWEFA UK, says: “We regularly receive enquiries from manufacturers seeking bespoke driven and static tooling for very specific production applications on turning centres. However, our parent company and other principals either do not include them in their portfolios, or are unable to supply them quickly enough and at reasonable cost.”

She continues: “This is exactly where Wendel scores highly. Following my visit to their stand at the AMB machine tool show in Stuttgart last September, where we discussed adding their products to our portfolio, we have now been appointed to represent them exclusively in the UK and Irish markets.”

Lloyd-Foxe adds that the manufacturer’s products are known to be of high quality and robust, while the ‘specials’ in particular benefit from a knowledgeable and experienced design team in Germany.

More information www.gewefa.co.uk

Maintenance tips that extend cold saw life

Cold saws are known for their precision, durability and ability to produce clean, burr-free cuts in a variety of metals. However, like all industrial equipment, they require consistent maintenance to stay in top condition. Whether running a small fabrication shop or a large production facility, proper maintenance of cold-cut saws will not only extend their lifespan but also ensure continued performance, safety, and cost efficiency. Dimakin offers the following guide to maintaining cold saws.

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to maintain a cold saw is regular cleaning. After every shift, remove chips and debris from the working area, base and blade guards, and clean the vice jaws and clamping surfaces to ensure accurate cuts. Dimakin says its cold-cut saws are designed with easy-to-access cleaning points and robust enclosures to help keep debris away from sensitive components.

Secondly: sharp tools equal smooth cuts. The blade is the heart of a cold saw. Using a dull or damaged blade can result in rough cuts, overheating and excess wear on the motor and bearings. Inspect the blade daily for signs of dullness, chipping or warping, and replace or sharpen blades before they cause undue stress on the machine. Dimakin’s range of cold saws supports a wide range of blade diameters and materials, while inverter-driven models allow for optimal blade speed settings, reducing wear and tear over time.

Naturally, proper lubrication is vital as it minimises friction and keeps machines running smoothly. Lubricate the gearbox, spindle and pivot points as per the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Further tips include the inspection of electrical components and safety features, the tightening of bolts and checking of alignments, and the scheduling of preventive maintenance.

More information www.dimakin.co.uk

Avent Extrusion Steels opts for Gentiger saws

Avent Extrusion Steels & AVA Special Steels has invested in two new high-performance Gentiger bandsaws supplied by Prosaw. James Avent, director at Avent Extrusion Steels, says: “We can confidently say it’s the best investment we’ve ever made in our sawing capacity.”

Avent has used bandsaws for nearly 25 years since its inception, and the company has seen a wide range of machines come and go.

“The Gentigers have truly raised the bar,” sates Avent. “These saws have increased our cutting capacity by almost 20% in terms of size and, when paired with carbide-tipped blades, they cut up to five times faster than the machines they replaced.”

He continues: “This exceptional performance has enabled us to reduce our bandsaw count from seven machines down to five, without compromising output – in fact, quite the opposite. The Gentigers easily handle the workload of the previous four saws they replaced and still have more to give. Such a reduction not only streamlines our operations but also leads to significant energy savings, a vital factor given today’s energy costs and the growing emphasis on sustainability.”

Another stand-out attribute of the saws is their ability to cut tough materials while still delivering smooth surface finish and extremely flat cuts.

“We’re now able to saw material down to near-net sizes, which means less secondary machining and reduced waste. Combined with their ability to achieve remnant lengths as small as 7 mm, these bandsaws have brought a massive improvement to our material efficiency.”

In addition, the Gentigers feature energy monitoring capabilities, allowing Avent to track and record electricity consumption.

More information www.prosaw.co.uk

Milestone for ACE

A precision manufacturer has celebrated 25 years in business by producing its 150millionth component. The ‘etched’ part, is heading into the world of electrification and is the perfect way for Advanced Chemical Etching (ACE) to mark nearly a quarter of a century of manufacturing in Telford. “We want 2025 to be a real celebration of what the business has achieved and where we want to go over the next 25 years,” says managing director Ian Whateley. “A big summer BBQ took place recently and we’re going to give every one of our 70-strong workforce their birthdays off as a little thank you.”

More information www.ace-uk.net

JLRQ Award for BCW

Component manufacturing solutions provider BCW Engineering has received the Jaguar Land Rover Quality (JLRQ) award, marking a major milestone in its journey as a tier-one supplier to one of the UK’s most iconic automotive manufacturers. The award presentation took place this week at BCW’s Innovation Drive headquarters in Burnley, where senior representatives from Jaguar Land Rover joined the BCW team to celebrate the achievement. The JLRQ award is a significant quality accreditation granted to suppliers that demonstrate exceptional performance across quality, cost, delivery and customer satisfaction.

More information www.bcwgroup.co.uk