Sydney-based engineering company Baker & Provan has completed installation of a large CNC machining centre.

Commissioned in August, the machine weighs 112 tonnes and was added to Baker & Provan’s existing 12-metre CNC floor borer, with a 6-axis rotary table. The company said this makes it one of the largest and modern CNC machine shops in Australia.

The new large CNC machining centre will improve the way medium- and large-sized components are machined for the rail, mining, defence and steel industries.

The new large CNC machining centre will improve the way medium- and large-sized components are machined for the rail, mining, defence and steel industries.

The machining centre has tables rated to 20 tonnes, commonly referred to as a pallet changer. While a work piece is being machined on one pallet, machinists can prepare the next pallet for rapid changeover and re-commencement of machining.

This machine will be able to machine medium and large work pieces with greater efficiency for multiple work pieces. The machine is able to work on five sides of a work piece with machining envelope up to 6.25 m x 3.5 m wide in a single setup.

This machine will also be able to provide significant efficiencies for medium-sized work pieces that have reasonable volume by jigging up multiple work pieces on each pallet, and then unloading and loading multiple work pieces on the second pallet.

The company said that the new machine will complement its range of 12 CNC machines and heavy fabrication capability at the 6,800 sq. metre facility.

http://www.myfen.com.au/Article/Baker-Provan-completes-CNC-installation/499989.aspx

They also expect a recovery during the last quarter of 2009-10, following the late revival of the monsoon.

The economic downturn of the past 12 months has taught Indian industry many lessons in its quest to become competitive, cut costs and stay alive in the market. Some sectors have had to change the very way they do business. The machine tool sector, considered the mother of all industries, has learned a lesson in how to de-risk itself.

The biggest lesson the industry learnt was the danger of over-dependence on any single market segment. Until a year ago the machine tool industry was heavily dependent on automobile and auto components manufacturers for orders. Today, because of the downturn, which badly hit the automobile sector, machine tool manufacturers have reduced their dependence on this sector and turned to other customer segments.

Says Shailesh Sheth, former president of the Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association (IMTMA) and an industry expert: “In the last one year, machine tool makers have started reducing their excessive dependence on the automobile and components sector and have turned towards the power sector, large government contracts and public sector enterprises for orders. There is a huge demand from PSEs like BHEL, BEML, BEL and Indian Railways, among others. There is no drop in spending by these PSEs.”

Other key trends resulting from the downturn, Sheth points out, are cost cutting and right-sizing of manpower levels. This has helped companies reduce product prices and increase competitiveness, even though margins are under pressure. However, machine tool units, mostly run by technocrat-entrepreneurs, are not bleeding heavily yet, and Sheth believes that there is no scope yet for consolidation in the industry.

After chalking up a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 25 per cent over the last few years, the Indian machine tool sector’s total production (CNC and non-CNC machines put together) declined by 35 per cent to Rs 1,235 crore in 2008-09, compared to the previous year. This was mainly due to the decline in the automobile industry, which contributes around 70 per cent of the sector’s orders. The production of CNC machines fell by 44 per cent to Rs 713 crore in 2008-09, while the output of non-CNC machines dropped by 18 per cent to Rs 521.4 crore.

The slowdown was at its worst in the fourth quarter of 2008-09, during which the output of CNC and non-CNC machines dropped by 49 per cent to Rs 365 crore. The consumption of machine tools in 2008-09 declined by 24 per cent to Rs 6,542.8 crore compared to the preceding year. Indian industry, which is still largely dependent on imports for bigger and more sophisticated machines, also witnessed a fall in imports of machine tools to Rs 5,478.4 crore, a decline of 20 per cent over 2007-08.

During the first quarter of the current fiscal year (April-June 2009), the industry registered a near 50 per cent drop in output to Rs 201 crore, compared to the corresponding year-ago quarter. “Normally, business is always dull in the first quarter of every year. This year, due to the prevailing sentiment, there were even fewer orders than usual. But we hope to arrest the trend of falling orders towards the end of the year,” says Srinivas Shirgurkar, managing director of Ace Designers, a Bangalore-based machine tool manufacturer.

The industry is deliberately making an effort to develop alternative avenues for growth. “It is starting to look at other areas like government contracts, aerospace and general engineering sectors in a big way. This will not only help them survive the downturn, but also secure contracts for the future,” says Mohanram, director of the technology division of IMTMA.

The sector, having begun adopting newer technologies and having also become cost effective, is now able to compete with imported machines, Mohanram notes. The industry is developing more multi-function, more accurate and more productive machines with high-end features. Companies like BFW, HMT, Jyoti CNC, Lokesh Machines, Lakshmi Machine Works, TAL and Premier have introduced machines based on new technology in recent months.

Shirgurkar says, “The first half of 2008-09 was very good, but subsequently the output dropped by 60 per cent in the second half of the year. From July this year, we have seen signs of improvement. Going by current indications, we may end 2009-10 with a drop of just 25 per cent over the last fiscal.”

But Shigurkar notes that the industry has seen some positive factors as well. Apart from trying to reduce its dependence on the automobile sector and widening the search for customers, machine tool makers, who were until now focusing on small machines, have started work on producing large machines.

Moreover, most companies have exhausted their piled-up inventories and are set to book new orders. The industry hopes for a revival during the last quarter of the current fiscal, following the late revival of the monsoon and the quicker growth in the automobile industry over the last two months. It reckons that sales will stop declining towards the end of the year and thereafter move into positive territory.

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/machine-tool-makers-de-risk-their-business/371688/

Changing production over from single customised to volume-customised bikes introduced CNC machin tools but using similar programs and standardising on tool libraries from machine to machine.

The management at Orange County Choppers (OCC) bicycle plant in the USA is busy laying the groundwork to make the company the best-known and most influential bike builder in the world.

Paul Teutul Senior’s business planners, designers, machinists and builders are settling in to manufacture a new line of standardized production bikes to support a growing chain of OCC retail dealers.

Until now, each bike has been specifically made to order for each customer, so the move represents a major shift in the way everyone at OCC must approach the work.

Perhaps no one faces greater changes than OCC’s machine shop manager Jim Quinn.

“It’s definitely a challenge,” said Quinn.

“In some ways it’s easier, but in many ways it’s more difficult.

Because of the way we’ve networked our machines, once we’ve made a part to spec, it’s just a matter of loading the program and we can duplicate it again without any problems”.

Trying to dedicate machines to manufacturing production, while building one-off bikes under the pressures of television deadlines, is no simple matter.

“That’s the other part of it,” said Quinn.

“It never fails.

As soon as I get a machine set up to run production wheels all day, it’s ‘Oops!’ we’ve got to break in and run a special design for one of the bikes for the show”.

OCC set out in 2006 to virtually double the size of the machine workshop.

Paul Senior and son Mikey, with a full video crew in tow, visited the 1,000,000ft2 Haas Automation factory in Southern California, and humorously scribed their names on the machines they wanted.

Jim Quinn and many others had thoughtfully coordinated the expansion and suggested which machines to acquire weeks before the stars left for the sunny coast.

The OCC machine workshop began to expand, expanding into what had been the warehousing area of the 30,000ft2 building.

This new annex holds a recently installed Haas Mini Mill, TL-1 Toolroom Lathe and EC-500 horizontal machining center - all tied in with the crew’s ever-busy VF-5/50, VM-3 and VF-2SS vertical machining centers and SL-20 lathe.

* Machining in real time - Quinn said: “The nice part is that I now have crossover between all my Haas machines.

Pretty much the same program will work on any of them.

And, I keep my tool libraries the same from machine to machine: Tool two is always a drill; tool seven is always a quarter inch endmill and so on.

With this broad interchangeability, it’s amazing what we can do”.

He continued: “There was a day here, a couple months ago, when I had wheels running on four of my five mills, even the (smaller) VF-2,.

A lot of Senior’s old-school bikes take a 16in rear wheel, instead of the usual 18s and 21s we put on most of our new choppers.

I said, ‘you know what? I think this will fit in here’ I’d never even thought of cutting wheels on the VF-2 before, but I needed four sets going out that day.

Happily, the 16 incher fit the VF-2’s cutting envelope with a bit to spare, and I didn’t have to change a thing in the program.

To be able to just throw it in and cut wheels on all those machines, all at the same time, was just amazing”.

Every Haas machine at OCC is fully networked, and has either a 20- or 40-gigabite hard drive, which Quinn accesses from his office.

“I use my desktop to post the programs through Mastercam,” he said.

“I output that post, and send the NC code directly to the machine tool”.

The flawless finishes Quinn achieves on OCC’s famous appearance parts are the result of both his machining skill and the flexibility of this network setup.

“The chaining tolerances I use in Mastercam are always evolving,” he admitted, “I’m now down to about five-millionths.

This makes the programs extremely large, but you couldn’t ask for a finer finish.

Since the programs are too big for resident memory, I do most of my wheel and surfacing files through DNC,” he explained.

“Our chromers and polishers really love the finish we’re getting off the Haas machines”.

Multi-functional - with the challenging expansion into production manufacturing alongside the custom-build television demands, nearly everyone in the OCC shop, including Quinn, is wearing a lot more hats these days: machinist, designer, fabricator, engineer, assembler and, of course, TV personality.

Everyone has to be a little bit of everything.

“Yeah, that’s kind of what we’ve become,” said Quinn.

“But this way, everybody knows the product a lot better than when we were niched, always doing the same job.” The change was absolutely necessary, he explains, to get OCC to where it is today.

“When you consider some of the tight time frames we face, it’s obvious we can’t afford a machinist-versus-designer standoff around here,” said Quinn.

“Everybody has to work together to put out bikes; our systems have to be efficient.” The crew has to give Paulie what he needs, when he needs it, and Senior what he wants, when he wants it”.

After peering below the surface of OCC, it’s easier to value Senior’s hard-nosed work ethic, and to appreciate why nothing sets him off like ‘wasted time’.

But, above everything else, this is a business of talented, creative people influenced by the imaginative minds of Paulie and Mikey Teutul.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/has/has139.html

Computerized Numerical Control Machines

CNC Machines are Computerized Numerical Control Machines. They are available in single or multi-head and multi-axis control. They are used for large scale complex and intricate machining jobs. They are versatile enough to do several machining operations of complex nature, such as turning, milling, drilling, boring, thread-cutting, complex profile cutting, etc. by using special CNC program.

One CNC machine with an operator or without operator has the capacity not only to perform the work of about ten conventional machines but also it can turn out most accurate machining operations with amazing speed. Lot of time is saved in the form of set-up timings, taking measurements of the job in progress, loading the jobs, changing tools, etc which are inevitable while working with conventional machines.

In spite of so many advantages, the machine suffers from the disadvantage of its high cost and expensive installation. But the disadvantages pale into insignificance, when compared with its advantages and when there is sufficient work load that warrants its acquisition. The high production level and less number of operatives offset the disadvantages and convert the possession of the CNC machine to a profitable proposition.

The production targets can be met easily by installing a CNC machine and thereby you can attract more customers, besides giving them satisfaction in sticking to the delivery schedules. Besides, the quality of work generated by the CNC machine enhances customer satisfaction, as can be gathered from their feedback and positive response in the form of increased orders.

Now, considering the high cost of
the machine, you cannot afford to keep it idling for prolonged period. The break-down period should be kept to minimum. The productive hours from
the machine should be kept up as much as possible to recoup the cost of the asset and generate profits. This requires a sound maintenance strategy.

Before the procurement of
the machine is initiated, technicians or artisan staff and engineers should be earmarked for training in the operation and maintenance of the
CNC machines being procured. So, this aspect should be included in the draft contract for the procurement of
CNC machines.

Then, proper place should be earmarked in the factory for installation of
CNC machines. The following precautions should be observed in this regard:
1. There should be a separate glass enclosure with air-conditioning facility for the
CNC machines or pressurized chamber.

2. There should be separate electrical grounding for each CNC machine.

3. It is preferable not to have welding sets operating close by. The return currents from the welding sets could be harmful for the working of the
CNC machines. If the operation of a welding set in their vicinity becomes unavoidable, then high conductivity cable should be used for carrying the return current.

4. There should not be high power forging machines in the proximity, as the impact of vibrations will have adverse impact on the working of the
CNC machines.

5. There should not be high voltage fluctuations in the power supply system. Each CNC machine should be equipped with an Isolation Transformer and high-speed voltage stabilizer to take care of voltage fluctuations, electrical noise and electrical surges.

6. There should be a separate feeder for the power supply of
CNC machines. If the budget permits, UPS may also be installed.

7. There should be a well equipped CNC laboratory (if one does not already exist) which can efficiently cater to the Mechanical and Electrical maintenance needs. The laboratory should be adequately equipped with digital oscilloscopes, IC testers, logic probes, programming kits, hydraulic trainer kit, micro-processor training kit, pressure gauge testing and calibration equipment, temperature-cum humidity checking meters and well equipped library with modern racks consisting of indexing facility so as to keep the CNC manuals, drawings and CNC literature.

8. The CNC laboratory should be air-conditioned and provided with protective gear at each work table to inhibit electrostatic charges.

The maintenance of
CNC machines requires special culture. Each machine should be provided with a history card, which should contain the following information:
1. The name of the CNC machine, the date of its installation, the address and the

Telephone numbers of the manufacturer. The details of website of the manufacturer and the contact details of the agent may also be recorded.

1. Dynamic data like the hours of idling of
the machine (with date and time) and the causes thereof, the nature of breakdown and action taken to set right the defect, the components replaced etc.

1. Circuit modifications made from time to time as per requirement, or
modifications made to the system or circuitry as per requirements with date.

The history sheets of
CNC machines should be studied and analyzed at regular intervals for taking prompt action.

The
CNC machines should be kept absolutely clean and free from the metallic dust and scrap generated by following an efficient system of daily cleaning and disposal. The metallic dust and scrap are most harmful for the working of these machines. They can gather on the PCBs and cause damage to
the machine due to short circuit. The metallic dust and scrap pose potential threat to the working of limit switches, proximity switches and micro-switches.

The grounding of
the machine should be checked regularly. The ground wires may get snapped. So their continuity should be checked in the periodical maintenance checks. The functioning of the voltage stabilizer, refrigerating system, isolating transformer, etc should be checked periodically. When the refrigerant is to be replaced, it should be done by the specified type of refrigerant as indicated on the name-plate of the equipment. The hydraulic oil, which is required to be replenished, should be of specified grade and type. Otherwise, the system will not function properly. All these aspects should be covered in the maintenance check lists.

Protective devices in the control panel should be checked regularly. In the event of failure of motors, the causes of failure should be investigated. Periodical checking of the bearings, the lubrication system,
limit switches and protective relays will avert the incidence of many of the failures. In the event of failure of axis motors, the functioning of the overload relay and the single-phase preventer should be checked first before restoring the repaired motor. Otherwise, there is imminent danger of the repaired motor failing immediately after starting or after a few minutes of operation.

Though PCB failures of a good CNC system are a rare occurrence, the replacement of PCBs in the event of their failure is a very expensive proposition. The cost of the PCBs is exorbitantly high. Hence, card level repairing is indispensable for the maintenance team. For this purpose, the CNC laboratory must be well equipped with requisite diagnostic tools, like the Storage Oscilloscope, the micro-processor based IC tester which contains adequate library of the ICs and microprocessors, logic probes and PCB repairing kits. Staff should be well qualified and trained for carrying out repairs at card level. The manufacturers of the CNC system offer training facilities, which should be availed. In addition, there are also good training institutions where tailor made courses are conducted. Besides, in-field training should also be imparted to the staff by instructors and veteran staff.

The importance of maintaining inventory of essential spares needs to be emphasized here. Generally, some important spares are supplied with the machine, which should be replenished as per need. Most of the CNC systems become obsolete in a very short time, due to strident advancements of technology. As such, the lead time in procuring the spares is very high. CNC machines cannot be allowed to be kept idle for long periods for want of a spare component. A lot of planning based on experience goes into the maintaining of stores of spares. Too many spares add to the overhead costs of the machine maintenance, while inadequate number of spares adversely affects the productive hours of the machine. Striking the correct balance is definitely a skillful job.

If the same type of CNC system is chosen for a majority of the fleet of CNC machines in a factory, the saving in the cost of maintaining the spares gets drastically reduced. The idle time of the CNC machines will also become negligible, due to efficient spares maintenance. Such a situation will permit keeping of some spare PCBs, linear scales, encoders, hydraulic valves, etc in hand. Procurement of such expensive spares will not be economical if the fleet of CNC machines contains various types of CNC control systems.

A CNC machine is a good asset, but it becomes a great burden if it cannot be maintained in working condition or if it cannot be fed with enough loads. It, therefore, warrants thorough ground work and infrastructure before welcoming one such machine into your factory premises.

http://zikkir.com/scitech/789

DMG Australia says client MAC Surgical is using its machine tools to make a name for itself on the world stage orthopaedic implant manufacturing.Sydney-based MAC Surgical manufactures customised instruments to aid surgeons. It started out by specialising in surgical equipment repairs for surgeons, hospitals and multi-nationals before branching out to manufacture a range of surgical devices.MAC Surgical currently uses its 3D modelling CAD software and multi-axis CNC machining capabilities to design, manufacture and modify surgical instruments.According to MAC Surgical, the Gildemeister CNC milling and turning machines from DMG Australia allowed it to move quickly in response to customers’ needs, opening up global opportunities.MAC Surgical’s purchased its first Gildemeister DMG turning machines from DMG Australia in 2000, installing a CTX 200 and CTX 400 to machine cobalt chrome and titanium for manufacturing hip prosthesis.In a 2008 expansion, the company installed a DMG CTX 310 V3 eco universal turning machine and a DMC 1035 V eco compact machining centre.

MAC Surgical uses the CTX 310 V3 eco to handle a wide range of small runs, while the DMC 1035 V eco has a sturdy design and powerful spindle for machining surgery gadgets.

According to MAC Surgical, choosing two Gildemeister machines means it can interchange tools and use the same Siemens operating software for easy programming and 3D simulation functions.

http://www.metalworker.com.au/article/dmg-australia-s-gildemeister-cnc-machines-give-mac-surgical-the-edge/498613.aspx

The flexibility of a CNC ‘mini-mill’, with its 16-tool turret and ease of programming, is making the task of meeting stringent autosport deamnds an easier thing to do.

These days, Terry Kempe, who is responsible for production and quality control at 15-employee Monard Precision Engineering, can still on occasions be found operating one or other of this specialist sub-contractor’s machine tools.

A former apprentice with the English Electric Company, he says that after nearly 40 years in engineering, it is difficult to do ‘cold turkey’.

It’s a trait he shares with fellow director, Paul Barnett, who joined Monard straight from school and now oversees the machine shop.

He, too, is a highly skilled machinist who believes in a hands-on response when tight deadlines demand it.

The ISO 9001 accredited company moved to its 3600ft2 premises in Rugby in 1985, from where it delivers precision machined components to numerous blue chip customers.

It is, for example, an official supplier to Mitsubishi Motors Motor Sport, one of the leading contenders in the 2005 FIA World Rally Championship, as well as supplying parts to manufacturers of laser equipment.

Common to OEMs in both these industries is a preference for design and assembly rather than in-house manufacture.

“Because of this,” says Kempe, ” Monard is closely involved in the ‘design for manufacture’ aspect of - in the case of motorsport - various engine, gearbox and suspension components”.

“Much of this is prototype and development work, although production batches, too, are usually small”.

“Either way, the emphasis is always on high accuracy and on-time delivery.” With this in mind Monard has invested in a 13HP XYZ Mini Mill 560 compact vertical machining centre equipped with a Siemens 810D control running Shopmill conversational programming software.

This latest addition sits alongside several XYZ manual/CNC lathes and mills, machining for the most part stainless steel and aluminium workpieces.

Although the ‘mini mill’ concept originated in the USA in the late 1990s, the objective being a vertical machining centre capable of machining the widest range of components within the smallest possible machine space, the XYZ Mini Mill 560 has taken this concept a step further.

Its 560mm (X) by 400mm (Y) by 500mm (Z) working envelope is contained within an 1800mm (width) by 1980mm (depth) footprint.

This combines small size with a level of rigidity, courtesy of the machine’s Meehanite cast iron construction, that is second to none.

Three Monard employees have been trained to operate the new machine and, says Terry Kempe, since installation the XYZ Mini Mill 560 has done everything required of it.

Shopfloor programming is the norm, but off-line programming is also used, with completed programs transferred via ‘memory sticks’.

Although motorsport is one of the most interesting industries, it is also a hard taskmaster.

Terry Kempe and Paul Barnett enjoy the challenges this brings to Monard but see little point in making life more difficult than it has to be”.

“”We have always prided ourselves on going that extra yard for all our customers,” says Kempe, “Now the flexibility of the Mini Mill 560, with its 16-tool turret and ease of programming, makes this an easier thing to do.”.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/xyz/xyz152.html

CNC double-spindle, tool and cutter grinder has been introduced to manufacture and resharpen a variety of wood working tools from round shank cutters to complex profile routers or blades.

Australian CNC grinder manufacturer ANCA has released a new machine designed specifically to grind woodworking tools.

Named the WGX, the new machine can manufacture and resharpen a variety of wood working tools from round shank cutters to complex profile routers or blades.

The WGX provides diversity with new applications allowing scalable production capabilities.

WGX’s double-ended spindle gives the freedom of using multiple wheels on a single job.

This is ideal when producing profile blades as a dedicated roughing and finishing wheel enables high material removal and finished profile accuracy and quality.

The wheel spindle is a direct-drive motorised spindle capable of 10,000 rpm.

With a constant power of 4.2kW (5.6HP) and peak power of 9.5kW (12.7HP), the WGX offers sufficient power for producing profile blades, sharpening applications and some new tool production.

To meet heavier grinding requirements, the spindle can be upgraded to have a constant power of 8.2kW (11HP) and a peak power to 19kW (26HP).

WGX is compact yet has a deceptively large working envelope for a machine of this size.

The machine offers all the standard features used on all ANCA CNC machine including: * Polymer concrete base.

* MPG feed.

* Automatic tool probing.

* Direct drive technology.

* 5DX CNC digital servo drive system.

Productivity on the WGX can be enhanced by installing any of several automation options.

CLX - Compact Loader - compact in design, this loader is mounted inside the machine and does not increase the machine footprint.

It offers small batch loading capability enabling short periods of unmanned operation, and is suitable for both round shank tooling and profile blades.

WLX - High capacity Loader - a high-production loader makes extended unmanned operation possible.

The loader offers exceptional flexibility and can be set up to load: * Profile blades.

* Round shank tooling (drills, compression cutters).

* Router with head diameters upto 100mm.

The Loader software allows the machine to grind a batch of tools that are different in size, shape and type.

This ensures the loader is used to its full capacity when possible.

The ANCA ToolRoom software suite with its easy to follow user interface is capable of producing a wide variety of tools in one setup.

The intuitive software has clear and precise help images to simplify use.

* Compression Router - this software package is for tools where the cutter requires opposite cutting flutes on a single tool.

Commonly called compression routers, they are also known as compound shear or up/down cutters.

* Special Tool Profile - a wide variety of customer-defined profile tools - such as routers or spindle Blocks for cope and pattern sets - can be produced on the WGX.

The user interface allows tool profiles to be drawn on the machine or imported directly as a DXF from any third-party CAD software.

The possibilities are limitless.

* Profile Blade - this software is used to manufacture replaceable profile blades.

The blades are ground on the centre line of the machine with relevant hook and shear angles to suit the cutter body entered by the operator.

The software uses the final profile shape required and will automatically distort the profile to obtain the required cutting shape based on the hook and shear angles.

* Tooling options - there are numerous options available with the WGX, giving it the flexibility to suit a wide range of applications.

These include popup steady, iView tool measuring system and a range of pneumatically operated work holding systems.

When manufacturing profile blades a fully automatic blade chuck is available.

The blade chuck is a very strong and rigid unit providing exceptional work holding for blades ranging in length from 8mm to 80mm.

The chuck is designed to cater for different possible datum features on a wide variety of blade types.

* About ANCA - ANCA was founded in 1974 to design and manufacture high technology computer numerical controls (CNCs) for the machine tool and metal-based industries.

Today, ANCA has become a leading designer and manufacturer of complete, precision CNC tool and cutter grinding machines in a global niche market.

With its core values of precision, innovation, quality and technological excellence, ANCA is today an international organisation of more than 300 employees with a robust set of technological and entrepreneurial skills.

Offices are located in major cities in Europe, North America and Asia; with dealerships represented in over 25 countries.

ANCA continues to understand market demands and produce products and services to benefit its customers.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/anc/anc121.html

For the manufacture of turned parts up to 7mm diameter, an easy to operate CNC turning centre precisely machines small components to a guaranteed precision of +/-2 micron.

At the UK’s MACH 2008 machine tool exhibition, Tornos will be giving the Micro 7 its UK exhibition debut.

The new Micro 7 guarantees precision of +/-2 micron whilst demonstrating excellent flexibility, productivity and operator simplicity, said Tornos.

Designed for the manufacture of turned parts up to 7mm diameter, the Micro 7 is ideally suited to the precise small component and electronics sectors.

With a maximum workpiece length of 60mm and a spindle and counter spindle speed of 20,000 rev/min, Tornos is offering a highly productive machine proven to outperform the cam-type machines that have dominated this small component sector.

Tornos told manufacturingtalk.com that to enhance processing times the Micro 7 combines its high speed spindles with simultaneous machining in front and back operation modes.

* Flexibility - with flexibility instilled in every aspect of the Micro 7, this remarkable machine can hold up to 20 tools on a 5 + 2 axes configuration (with C-axis), explained Tornos.

The Micro 7 can work with a wide range of tool holders and equipment suited to the exacting needs of every user.

Meeting the productivity, accuracy and flexibility demands of the modern machine shop, the tools on the Micro 7 work independently for flexible manufacture.

* Programming choice - for ease of use and customer simplicity, Tornos is launching this machine with the option of the renowned Tornos TB-Deco programming system or the industry standard ISO system driven by a Fanuc Series 32i control.

All these elements are built upon a strong and rigid construction that delivers the productivity and accuracy benefits associated with the Tornos family of turning centres.

For further information on the Tornos Micro 7 that will be available from the second quarter of 2008 or any alternate turning centres in the Tornos range, please come and visit us at MACH 2008, said Tornos.

* Tornos Technologies at MACH 2008, NEC, Birmingham.

UK, April 21-25, Hall 5, Stand 5575.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/toa/toa188.html

Techno as introduced a Tabletop CNC Router line.

These machines have ball screws on all three axes to ensure minimal maintenance and machine longevity.

To complement the new line’s special design, Techno has also equipped the machines with closed-loop servo motors and drives.

The quality components Techno uses create a standard of optimal performance, speed and accuracy in each and every one of your routing applications.

The Tabletop line of CNC Routers is ideal for the production routing of plastic, wood, aluminum, composites, etc Beyond the heavy-duty construction and design, the new Tabletop line comes standard with Techno’s easy to use Windows PC-based interface for communicating with any CAD/CAM G-Code outputting system.

Most major functions are just one click away with the Techno CNC Interface, including: a built-in G-Code editor and toolpath preview, production logging and reporting, infinite look-ahead and continuous motion and free lifetime updates (via the internet).Techno Tabletop Routers are available in 5-standard sizes ranging from 11in x 13in to 41in x 49in and can be upgraded with several of Techno’s CNC Accessories, such as: vacuum table hold-down, tool-change spindles, 2D, 3D and laser scanning options.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/toi/toi110.html

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. (Aug. 31, 4:40 p.m. ET) — Weeke Bohrsysteme GmbH, a German maker of computer numerically controlled routers, has started making an entry-level series of the routers at a 30,000-square-foot plant in Grand Rapids, near the headquarters of its long-time, exclusive distributor, Stiles Machinery Inc.

Stiles Machinery announced the news at NPE2009 in Chicago.

Weeke North America was formed as a joint venture between the Stiles, Weeke and Weeke’s parent the Homag Group, a German industrial conglomerate. The Michigan plant is making the Weeke Vantech series of routers for panels.

Weeke North America sources components from local manufacturers. The plant produces CNC routers to order, but can offer short delivery times, the companies said.

http://www.plasticsnews.com/headlines2.html?id=16528