UK NEWS

Mazak chosen for government 5G factory initiative

Yamazaki Mazak has been chosen as one of a select few UK companies to act as a ‘testbed’ for the deployment of next-generation 5G technology, with a view to improving commercial digital infrastructures and ultimately boosting productivity across the UK industrial sector.

5G is set to become the industry standard for connectivity in the future. With potential speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second, it could allow for industrial automation systems to operate at as-yet unseen speeds, as well as increase the speed of real-time analysis, meaning quicker reactions to any red flags and reduced downtime.
The consortium has been granted £4.8m in government funding to conduct the 5G testbed trial. This funding will be used to gauge how faster internet speeds can improve industrial productivity and advanced cyber security, via increased investment in next-generation technology. The work will include experimenting with preventative and assisted maintenance techniques using robotics, big data analytics and augmented reality, at the company’s European Headquarters, in Worcester.
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk

Citizen names open house dates

Low Frequency Vibration (LFV) machining technology will be an important theme at Citizen Machinery UK’s annual open house event being staged at the company’s UK headquarters in Bushey on 16-18 October.

Among the 16 machines on view will be the UK launch of the LFV version of the Citizen Cincom L32-Vlll sliding-head turn-mill centre.
The Citizen L32-VlllLFV with 38 mm bar size option and removable guide bush can carry up to 30 tools. According to specification, this can include six for gang turning, four to six gang driven, four to nine for front drilling, and between five and 11 for back drilling. Both main (7.5 kW) and sub-spindles (3.7 kW) have 8000 rpm motors with 1 kW driven tools (with 6000 rpm motors). Rapid traverse rates are 32 m/min.
For further information www.citizenmachinery.co.uk

Visualize 3D V21.1 launched

Theorem Solutions has released the V21.1 version of its Visualize 3D CATIA V5 to JT solution. V21.1 supports CATIA V5-6R2015 to CATIA V5-6R2018, as well as all versions of JT, up to and including 10.0.

Visualize 3D products are aimed at creating visualisation data for users of digital mock-up, virtual reality or desktop applications, and for companies wanting to share JT data as part of a collaboration process. This unidirectional product can be licensed with Theorem’s JT to CATIA V5 product to create a bidirectional translator.
V21.1 enables CATIA V5 users to create a JT representation of their data and support the translation of assembly structure, geometry, attributes, 3D product manufacturing information (PMI) and metadata. The software can also be used as a data exchange format for popular CAD/CAM systems which support JT.
Visualize V21.1 also includes: a newly developed single JT configuration file that supports all translation requirements from (supported) CAD to JT, removing the requirement for multiple files; the ability to use standard CATIA V5 menus to select Theorem configurations created using the Theorem Configuration Manager or from within the Theorem Unified Interface; and the ability to export JT files directly from within CATIA V5 using the standard ‘File > Save As’ functionality, which helps to reduce the risk of error using familiar menus.
Theorem’s strategic partnerships with Dassault Systemes and Siemens ensure that there is parallel development between the latest releases of CATIA V5 and JT, and Theorem’s Visualize 3D products, allowing Theorem to continue to provide data solutions for CATIA V5 users wanting to create JT data.
For further information www.theorem.com

Maintaining control choice for XYZ heavy-duty VMCs

XYZ Machine Tools’ philosophy of offering ‘what the customer needs’ has led to its Heavy-Duty (HD) range of vertical machining centres being made available with the Heidenhain TNC 620 control.

“We offered Heidenhain as a control option many years ago, but found it a slow seller due in part to the additional cost and complexity of the system,” says Nigel Atherton, managing director at XYZ Machine Tools. “However, with recent changes to the Heidenhain control, such as the addition of touch-screen technology, along with a more modern and compact user interface, we see opportunities that fully justify adding it to our HD series of machines. Our independence as a machine tool supplier means that we are free to adapt our machine range to suit changes in customer demand, such as giving them a choice of control.”
The Heidenhain control option will initially be available on the XYZ 660HD, XYZ 800HD and XYZ 1100HD vertical machining centres. XYZ’s move will allow the company to access business from which it was previously excluded (where Heidenhain controls are popular), such as mould and die and aerospace, as well as in the education market.
“We recognise that control choice is important to customers, and that they tend to be loyal to a particular CNC due to their expertise and familiarity with it,” says Atherton. “Extending our use of Heidenhain controls to the HD series – we already offer Heidenhain on our flagship UMC-5X machine – was a logical step. It was encouraging that before the first machines arrived at our factory we had already received orders for machines with Heidenhain controls fitted, which fully justified our decision to pre-order 50 machines for stock.”
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

Westwood joins Mollart

Anthony Westwood, 42, has been appointed technical sales engineer for Mollart Engineering covering England and Wales as the Chessington-based company further expands its subcontract and tooling operations.

In his new role he will also provide customer support to the deep-hole drilling and honing machine sales operations in the area.
For further information www.mollart.com