Leader Chuck International provided demonstrations of Balance Systems’ range of solutions at the recent Advanced Engineering 2019 exhibition in Birmingham, UK.

In the spotlight was grinding-wheel balancing, in-line dynamic gauging, touch detection and spindle monitoring with the B-Safe machine tool monitoring system.
Mark Jones, managing director at Leader Chuck International, says: “Balance Systems’ knowledge and experience of grinding process systems helps to improve the quality of the workpiece. They offer the capability to reduce grinding-wheel wear and speed-up cycle-time, while extending machine lifetime and increasing operator safety.”
Spindle and grinding wheel balancing is an essential operation in order to achieve workpiece surface quality and ensure long life for the rotary components.
Says Jones: “We offer a range of systems based on balancing heads that can be installed externally or built into the spindle. Control units are equipped with cable and contactless solutions, and provide constant vibration monitoring. The newly designed ‘Absolute Balancer’ technology is characterised by high performance levels in terms of execution speed and balancing precision for single and two-plane applications.”
In-process measuring systems offered by Balance Systems allow manufacturers the opportunity to produce components that conform to specification even under the most severe environmental conditions, such as warm-up, thermal shifts, chemical coolant, local or induced vibrations, and so on, and to operate using high-speed cycles.
The close control of grinding wheel balancing and its dresser helps attain a near perfect profile, while also optimising the removal of the grinding wheel surface, as evidenced by longer tool life.Identification of the instant when the tool touches the workpiece is essential to minimise cycle time, reduce ‘air grinding’ and optimise axis infeed.
For further information www.leaderchuck.com

A historic building converted into a £100,000 training facility at Tees Components has been officially opened by the leader of Redcar & Cleveland Council, Mary Lanigan.

In total, the investment has created seven training stations, which feature manual and CNC turning, manual and CNC milling, surface grinding and bench work. The development includes the introduction of two new machine tools – an XYZ CNC and DRO manual mode milling machine, and a Colchester Harrison M300 manual lathe. In addition, the centre includes a workshop classroom area complete with IT facilities.
For further information https://teescomponents.co.uk/

Ross Brawn OBE, a legend in the field of motorsport, has officially opened the new Oxfordshire Advanced Skills (OAS) Training Centre, which is run by the Manufacturing Technology Centre, on the UKAEA Culham site in Oxfordshire.

Coventry-based MTC Apprenticeships has been procured by the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) to provide training to hundreds of apprentices in the new OAS centre. Brawn, who is currently managing director of Formula One’s Motor Sports division, began his career as an apprentice with the UK Atomic Energy Authority.
For further information www.oas.ukaea.uk

An engineering firm providing equipment to many of the UK’s heaviest industries has reported a dramatic improvement in noise levels on the shop floor following the introduction of air compressors from Vert Rotors.

East Lothian based DMI Precision installed 10 Vert A100 compressors to run equipment throughout its shop. Says DMI managing director David Black: “As well as making it easier to communicate, a quieter workplace also makes it easier to concentrate, which is an important consideration for the highly skilled work that we undertake.”
For further information www.vertrotors.com

The spindle team at Matsuura Machinery Ltd has been strengthened by appointing Stephen Orton as spindle technical support engineer and Simon Parkinson as spindle technician.

Prior to joining Matsuura, Orton worked as a time-served machine-tool fitter and team leader with extensive experience in a production/assembly environment. Parkinson’s engineering career history includes eight years as a machine operator for a carbide and abrasive manufacturer, and two years in mechanical engineering for a pneumatic service and repair centre.
For further information www.matsuura.co.uk