A specialist in multi-axis machining is leveraging the benefits of Universal Robots supplied by RARUK Automation to load and unload its machine tools.

A mix of seven UR5 and UR10 robots have helped Rousant Sherwood maximise the productivity of its workforce by automating repetitive tasks and bidding for contracts which would have otherwise been unprofitable. One of the UR10 robots is currently serving a Nakamura-Tome Super NTJX multi-tasking turn-mill centre. The robot loads square billets of aluminium into the machine, where they are turned into aerospace components as part of a 40-minute cycle. Machine and robot are running 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“Just to be clear, we have not invested in robots to save on headcount, we’ve done it to win contracts,” says general manager Robin Salter. “We would never have been able to tender for jobs like this without automation. Using a robot makes us profitable on work where we wouldn’t normally be able to compete.”
For further information www.rarukautomation.co.uk

The recent MACH exhibition at the Birmingham NEC started in spectacular fashion for Open Mind Technologies with the CAM specialist selling three seats of HyperMill CAM software in the first two days, an additional four by the end of the show and another three in the week after the show.

Five of the seats were sold to subcontract manufacturers, including Iver-based Newmax Precision. The Buckinghamshire aerospace and defence manufacturer is taking delivery of its first five-axis machining centre in July, a Matsuura MX330.
For further information www.openmind-tech.com

When one of the UK’s largest laser-profiling and fabrication subcontractors wanted to enhance its CADCAM capabilities for press-braking operations, the company turned to Amada UK. Duly acquiring Amada’s Production Designer CAD and VPSS 3i BEND software suites, the company has reduced its press braking cycle times by up to 50%.

Since its foundation in 2000, SSC Laser Cutting has grown to become a major UK force in precision laser profiling and fabrication, today operating across three manufacturing sites in Stafford, Derby and Bristol, with plans to expand in the northeast and northwest. Although using an array of Amada press brakes, including two HFE-130 M2 machines, a HFE-8025 model, and a HD-1703 long-stroke machine, until recently SSC had been restricted by the use of basic CADCAM software.
“To be honest, the software capability for our press brakes was a little old school,” admits SSC’s group production manager Julian Till. “It was slow and not enough information would reach the press brake operator, which in turn would lead to occasional incorrect developments.”
SSC reviewed the market for CADCAM software that would be able to streamline the press-braking process.
“We’ve had Amada press brakes for many years, and although we looked at other options, it was apparent that using Amada software was the way to go,” says Till. “The amount of time saved varies as no two projects are the same, however, with the use of Production Designer CAD and VPSS 3i BEND software, production time can be reduced by up to 50%. We simply bring in the parts, pop in the tool and away we go.”
SSC Laser Cutting now has three seats of Production Designer and VPSS 3i BEND, one for each production site.
For further information www.amada.co.uk