UK NEWS

Free machine safety guide released

Rockwell Automation has released the latest version of its ‘Machinery Safebook’, a guide to safety-related control systems for machine builders. Machinery Safebook 5 expands on previous versions with a host of new information, examples and calculations. The 146-page booklet has been authored by subject matter specialists and is structured into easy-to-digest chapters, covering: regulations, standards, strategies, calculations, design concepts, application examples and tools. Machinery Safebook 5 is free and can be downloaded as a pdf file and/or requested as a hard copy document in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Polish or Czech. Japanese and Portuguese will be available shortly.

For further information www.rockwellautomation.com

Mazak supplies six machines to Renault F1

For the 2017 season, Yamazaki Mazak has revealed that it supplied six new machines tools to the Renault Sport Formula One Team. The machines are located at the team’s base in Enstone, Oxfordshire, and include a number of models from Mazak’s multi-tasking and turning machine ranges. Specifically, Renault F1 has taken delivery of two Integrex i-300 models, which feature a 30 kW, 4000 rpm main spindle. Also supplied were two Integrex i-100 multi-tasking machines. Two Quick Turn Nexus 250-II MY turning centres completed the line-up.

Jolyon Palmer (GBR) Renault Sport F1 Team RS17.
Bahrain Grand Prix, Friday 14th April 2017. Sakhir, Bahrain.

Example parts produced by the machines include the front axle housing and master cylinder body for brake systems, which are both made from aluminium on an Integrex i-300; stainless steel thermocouple brackets, manufactured using an Integrex i-100; and aluminium centric rings for the wheels, which are manufactured in one process on a Quick Turn Nexus 250-II MY.
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk

Dugard to launch X5-800 at open house

Dugard has announced that it will launch the new X5-800 five-axis vertical machining centre at the company’s open house in Hove next month (18-19 October). The X5-800 is described as a “fusion of German technology and Taiwanese competitiveness”, and features an 18,000 rpm, 25/35 kW built-in Kessler spindle. The torque motor driven rotary table is also made by Kessler and boasts a 1300 kg capacity.

Two torque motors drive the A axis, with up to 80 rpm available, while the C axis is driven by a single torque motor delivering a rotary table speed up to 100 rpm. Although 32 tools are standard, there is an option for another 32 tools in the second magazine. Furthermore, the double-driven, four linear guideway Y-axis design is said to reduce vibration during high-speed machining, increasing rigidity and ensuring exact positioning.
For further information www.dugard.com

$1m aerospace contract secured

Coventry-based Arrowsmith Engineering is flying high after securing a $1m aerospace order from the US. Backed by support from the Manufacturing Growth Programme (MGP), the company now expects to double annual sales to £7m by 2020. Arrowsmith has also just been awarded the Silver SC21 award. The company has been working with the MGP since October last year, first with the SC21 application and, more recently, in a gap analysis for the new AS9100D aerospace quality standard. Assistance has also been given in developing a long-term strategy and how to make the most of international opportunities.

Arrowsmith Engineering, Coventry

For further information www.manufacturingrowthprogramme.co.uk

Experience adds value at XYZ

A recent run of long-service awards at XYZ Machine Tools highlights the value of people to a successful business. Out of the 80 employees at XYZ, 30 of them have a combined service of almost 500 years. “Our philosophy has always been that when a customer commits to buying from XYZ, we commit to supporting that customer,” says Nigel Atherton, managing director. “This support ranges from our applications and training teams, which get customers up and running, through to the free programming helpline for users of our ProtoTrak and Siemens controlled machines, as well as the spares and service back-up that we provide with our nationwide team of engineers.”

Recognising that the pool of skilled machine tool builders was getting smaller, XYZ implemented a training plan two years ago that has seen a number of new recruits join the business, including several apprentices who will eventually take up the mantle of applications, programming support and service engineers over the next 10, 20, 30 years.
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com