UK NEWS

Toolmaker gets right tool for the job

As a small subcontract toolmaking and machining business, Precision Engineering Services (Buxton) Ltd has carved a niche in the production of press and mould tools for the construction and DIY sectors. As part of these activities, the business undertakes a significant amount of wire EDM work, which is why it has just invested in a Mitsubishi MV1200S wire EDM machine from the Engineering Technology Group (ETG).

The Buxton-based manufacturer has a selection of manual and CNC machine tools as well as a die-sink EDM machine and a wire EDM. However, with the company’s 12-year-old Mitsubishi BA8 wire EDM being the busiest machine, its precision levels were sadly diminishing after more than a decade of non-stop operation.

“After more than 10 years of non-stop running, the ball screws on our existing Mitsubishi BA8 wire EDM were deteriorating and maintaining precision was becoming more of a challenge,” explains managing director Chris Barlow.“We knew that a new machine would be the best route forward. With linear drive technology and tubular shaft motors instead of ball screws, the new MV1200S has a 12-year accuracy warranty and an optical drive system that provides circular accuracy within 1μm, so we won’t have this concern in the future.”

With regard to overall cutting time, Barlowsays: “The speed of cutting is always restricted by the wire. However, features that would take four passes to finish on the BA8 are now possible in three or sometimes two passes with our new MV1200S. This improves our productivity by 25% and even 50% in some cases.”

This impressive productivity improvement is credit to the new V350 generator, which has a significantly higher effective clock rate.
For further information www.engtechgroup.com

Paperless shop floor

AMRC Cymru is set to become the first facility in the University of Sheffield AMRC cluster to run a completely paperless shop floor.Senior manufacturing research engineer Anmar Al-Qutayri devised theidea, which uses computer software and an interlinked touchscreen kiosk to house all the necessary documents for a shop floor to function safely.Al-Qutayri says the system is very easy to use: “One of the best things about it is you can store as many documents as needed, all in one place, and complete updates quickly without the need to use countless sheets of paper.”
For further information www.bit.ly/46orl4N

Excel Precision buys Homerosion EDM Supplies

Excel Precision Group, a major UK EDM specialist, has acquired Homerosion EDM Supplies Ltd,a UKsupplier of EDM consumables and spare parts that has provided an excellent service to the EDM industry for almost 20 years. As a result of the acquisition, Excel Precision Group has changed the name of Homerosion EDM to Excel EDM Supplies Ltd and set up a new website under that name. All other details remain the same, such as company registration number, VAT number and bank account details.

As Excel EDM Supplies, the company will continue to provide all customers with high-quality consumables and spares, on time.However, it will also be increasing both its product range and levels of inventory.As part of a structured growth strategy, Excel EDM Supplies is now able to offer pre-owned EDM machines and chiller units. The company also provides a range of tooling, work-holding equipment, training, design services, software solutions and service packages.

Ultimately, Excel EDM Supplies can support customers through every aspect of their EDM journey.Thousands of items are currently on the shelf ready for next-day delivery. Recent product additions include the company’s new brass and super brass wire. According to Excel EDM Supplies, super brass wire cuts up to 25% faster than standard brass wire.

As a further point of note, Amanda Caffery has joined the team as sales and administration manager for Excel EDM Supplies. Please note that Homerosion Ltd is not part of this acquisition. Martin Homer is still operating Homerosion Ltd and his contact details remain unchanged.
For further information www.exceledmsupplies.com

Engineering skills conference

Engineering and manufacturing leaders from across the West Midlands are set to descend on the inaugural Next Gen Makers Engineering Skills Conference at The Black Country & Marches Institute of Technology for an insightful day of discussion on 2 November.In partnership with MSC Industrial Supply, the free event will see leaders from across the region explore how to tackle the long-standing skills crisis currently posing a significant business challenge for engineering and manufacturing companies throughout the Midlands region.
For further information www.bit.ly/46oVKAg

NCMT appoints NE and Scotland sales manager

Andy Skee has joined machine tool supplier NCMT as sales manager for the northeast of England and Scotland. The company is sole agent in the British Isles for Makino machining centres and EDM machines, and for Okuma machining centres, CNC lathes and grinders. It is also the European agent for photo-activated adhesive work-holding systems manufactured by Blue Photon in the US. From previous roles, Skee has direct experience using Okuma twin-chuck vertical machines at a subcontractor specialising in subsea equipment manufacture, followed by several years in a similar role within the UK MoD.
For further information www.ncmt.co.uk