UK NEWS

Defence sector success for Norco

Norco Holdings has been selected by Atlas Elektronik UK (AEUK) to build the fleet of replacement workboats ordered recently by the UK MoD. Due to be delivered over the next six years, the contract is for more than 30 boats, ranging in size from 11 to 15 m.

As the primary composites supplier for the project, Norco will produce all major parts for the new vessels including hull, deck, super-structure and associated multipurpose modules. The multi-role vessels share common components and will be modular in design.
For further information www.norco.co.uk

Students come to Rupert’s aid

Engineering students at Cornwall College responded magnificently to a telephone call from the owner of Rupert, a retired greyhound who was struggling to walk due to chronic arthritis in his back legs. As part of their BTEC level 3 CNC training, the students designed and manufactured a special harness from aluminium, titanium and carbon fibre, making use of machine tools from XYZ in the college workshop along with Mastercam software.

The parts for the harness were initially sketched out on paper before being finalised using Mastercam. Data for the main frame of the harness was then transferred to the college’s XYZ Mini Mill 560 vertical machining centre for milling, profiling and drilling, with other fittings turned on the workshop’s XYZ SLX 1630 ProTurn lathe. As a result of these efforts, Rupert now has improved mobility and his quality of life is vastly improved.
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

Mazak bringing taste of EMO to UK

Yamazaki Mazak has announced the date for its ‘EMO Encore’ open house, which offers UK machine users the opportunity to see first-hand the latest technology debuted in Hanover last month. The event will be held at Mazak’s European Technology Centre in Worcester on 14-17 November, and will combine machining technology in live cutting action, with guided tours. Attendees will also have the chance to gain insight and understand the capabilities of Mazak’s iSmart Factory concept.

Among 20 machines on display, 11 of which were on the original stand at EMO, will be the Integrex i-500 – which was created in response to requests from the European market for an Integrex with a bigger workspace envelope. The machine is therefore equipped with increased X- and Y-axis capacity, and a large machining envelope. Benefitting from a new 24 kW, 12,000 rpm mill spindle, complemented by a 37 kW, 2500 rpm main spindle, the i-500 also allows the operator closer access to the workpiece.
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk/emoencore

Simultaneous multi-axis HMC unveiled

A partnership between Cambridge Dynamics and Fanuc has delivered the world’s first simultaneous, multi-axis horizontal machining centre. The new SOHMAX (Simultaneous Operation, Horizontal Multi-Axis) machine has been designed for machining operations on both ends of shafts, bars, axles and couplings, reducing set-up and cycle times.

SOHMAX uses a Fanuc CNC for its programming and a Fanuc robot for loading and unloading. The machine allows up to 12 operations to be performed on components simultaneously, from simple turning, drilling and tapping operations, through to profiling, broaching, swaging, spline shaving, pressure testing and assembly operations.
For further information www.fanuc.eu

Inflexion agrees Xtrac buyout

Inflexion Private Equity has agreed the buyout of Xtrac Ltd, a specialist in the design and manufacture of transmissions for the motorsport and automotive industries. Xtrac’s established management team will remain with the business, overseeing the company’s future expansion as a result of this investment. It is planned that more staff will be added to 330 already employed, while the Xtrac factory at Thatcham will be extended and additional machinery introduced.

Adrian Moore managing director of Xtrac, says: “Inflexion shares our values; its investment will accelerate our ambitious growth strategy, developing the next generation of high-end transmission systems and expanding our coverage of the high-performance hybrid and electric car transmission market. The partnership supports Xtrac’s ethos of employee ownership, and our team looks forward to a new chapter in the continuing development and growth of our company.”
For further information www.xtrac.com