XYZ Machine Tools has revealed that Mills and Coombs has selected the company’s CNC/manual bed mills to produce replacement parts and specialist cutting knives for paper-bag making machines.

The variable speed VM 3500 bed mill has a 1372 x 355mm table with travels of 762 (X) x 508 (Y) x 508mm (Z), while the two larger 7.5HP/5000rev/min SMX 5000 bed mills have a 1930 x 356mm table with travels of 1524 x 596 x 540mm, providing a 5ft-plus cutting length for larger components.

Tim Cousins of Mills & Coombs praises the the programming simplicity of the XYZ ProtoTRAK control.

Tim Cousins of Mills and Coombs runs the CNC/manual bed mills to make the knives, and selected the machines due to the simplicity of the Prototrak control.

He said the choice of an XYZ VM 3500 CNC/manual bed mill was based on the ease with which its Prototrak CNC could be programmed simply by following plain English prompts, and being able to use the Traking facility to manually wind the machine through the entire program to check for problems before beginning the machining process.

The three bed mills have been installed at two-yearly intervals, with XYZ Machine Tools helping to arrange the appropriate financial package on each occasion.

Cousins said that XYZ’s after-sales support and training has been helpful and technical advice is readily available free-of-charge over the phone.

He has also bought a right-angle head attachment from XYZ as it is relevant to another part of his business, making the stringer needles and other spares needed for machines that punch a hole through each batch of 100 paper bags and thread through the cord by which the bags can then be hung up.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/xyz/xyz270.html

First quarter sales of Doosan milling machines outstripped Doosan lathe and turning centre sales, for the first time in Mills CNC’s history. Mills continuing growth in the wider milling markets was also reflected in the sales figures, with three horizontal machining centres and a large horizontal boring machine sold in the same period.

Nick Frampton (pictured), managing director at Mills CNC said: “During the January – March period over 55 per cent of company sales were milling machines, which has substantially increased our market share in this sector”

“Particularly pleasing were sales of our 3- and 5-axis vertical machines which numbered 20 in total, and included 4 from our new range of DNM Heidenhain-controlled machines.”

“Whilst milling machine sales just about beat lathe and turning centre sales, we did sell significant numbers of the Lynx and Puma lathes, and 2 MX-series mill-turn centres. This definitely provides an optimistic outlook on the general manufacturing recovery in the UK and Ireland.”

“Another interesting aspect to our sales performance has been the continued success of our SMART Options Rental Scheme, which has helped encourage (often new) customers to invest in Doosan Technology for the first time.”

Mills CNC will be at MACH 2010, where 8 Doosan machine tools will be making their debuts on Mills’ stand (Hall 5, Stand 5430).

http://www.machinery.co.uk/article/24600/Doosan-vertical-machines-sales-boosts-Mills-CNCs-first-quarter-performance.aspx

Mills CNC have announced the MX 3100ST multi-axis mill-turn centre and the TT 1800 SY twin-turret, twin-spindle turning centre, will be among the machines on their biggest ever stand (No 5430), at MACH 2010.

Mill turn and turning centres announced by Mills CNC for MACH 2010Mills CNC, exclusive distributor of Doosan machine tools in the UK and Ireland, will be exhibiting 14 Doosan machines, reflecting the breadth and depth of the Doosan range and including 6 brand new machines, all making their UK debuts at MACH.

The latest multi-axis mill-turn on display will be the MX 3100ST making its UK debut at MACH. The machine is the latest MX machine from Doosan, and will be showcased alongside the smaller MX 2100ST machine that was introduced into the UK in 2008/09.

The MX 3100ST has a bar capacity of 102 mm and powerful 30 kW, 3,000 rpm main spindles (left and right). Machining flexibility is enhanced via the machine’s 22 kW 12,000 rpm milling spindle; a B-axis range of +/- 120 degrees and +/- 85 mm double slide Y-axis. The machine has a 12-station, driven-tool bottom turret and 40-position ATC.

Representing Doosan turning centres, the compact TT 1800 SY 8-axis twin-turret, twin-spindle turning centre, with integrated Y-axis capability (+/- 50mm), launched at MACH 2008, is making a return visit .

The TT machine being showcased has a 65 mm bar working diameter; 22 kW 5,000 rpm spindles (left and right) and 40 m/min rapids.The turning centre is particularly suited for the high volume manufacture of small-to-medium size, complex parts.

http://www.machinery.co.uk/article/24040/Mill-turn-and-turning-centres-announced-by-Mills-CNC-for-MACH-2010.aspx

The new, compact, travelling-column, vertical spindle VC630/5AX is, says Nick Frampton, Mills CNC’s managing director: “Destined to be a huge success”.


The VC630/5AX is a versatile 5-axis machine and has been designed for a diverse range of applications. From heavy-duty machining of difficult and hard-to-machine materials, like titanium and inconel, through to high speed cutting of aluminium, the VC630/5AX is said to offer high accuracy machining, heavy metal removal and fine finishing operations…and seemingly everything in-between, it is reported.

As such, the machine is forecast by Mills CNC to be a big hit with manufacturers machining high precision, complex parts for the aerospace, defence, motorsport, medical and mould tool and die sectors.

Working capacity is 650 by 765 by 520 mm in X, Y and Z, respectively.

Concludes Mr Frampton: “The VC630/5AX will be available to customers from February 2010. Similar to other Doosan multi-axis machines we’ve launched into the UK and Irish markets over recent years - like our MX-series of Mill-Turn Centres - we’re extremely confident about the success of this new 5-axis machine - and we’re already taking enquiries for the VC630/5AX some 3 months before its availability.

“For precision manufacturers looking to increase their productivity by being able to machine complex parts in fewer set-ups (often in one-hit), the new VC630/5AX will be hard to beat…on price…and on performance.”

http://www.machinery.co.uk/article/20635/First-Doosan-5-axis-machining-centre-coming-soon.aspx

A UK injection mould tool specialist has recently invested in a high-speed milling machine and a high-performance milling machine to increase capacity and overall manufacturing flexibility.

Buckinghamshire-based injection mould tool specialist - Precision Moulds and Tools (PM and T) - has recently invested in a high-speed milling machine (HSM) and a high-performance milling machine (HPM) from AgieCharmilles GF.

The vertical machining centres - a Mikron HSM 800 and a Mikron VCP 800W Duro - have been installed (September 2006) at the company’s 10,000ft2, purpose-built facility in Aylesbury, UK - and provide PM and T with a significant increase in machining capacity and capability as well as improving the company’s overall manufacturing flexibility.

PM and T, established in 1991 by joint managing directors Michael Rush and Paul Newton - and now employing 20 people in the UK - is a market-leading design and manufacturer of complex, high-precision mould tools.

The company has an international reputation for the quality and the sophistication of its tooling solutions (single through to multi-impression) and has a global customer base (US, Far East, Europe, etc) covering a diverse range of industry sectors - medical devices, electronics, white goods, cosmetics, etc * Total solutions - PM and T provides total systems solutions to its customers.

This does not just include the manufacture of complex single and multi-cavity production precision tooling - but also involves working in consultation with customers to develop and design mould tool concepts and prototypes - and providing pre-production testing and sampling services.

The company also has comprehensive mould tool modification and repair capabilities.

This ‘concept through to completion’ approach helps differentiate PM and T from the competition - it also helps explain the company’s continuing growth and success.

Said Rush: “The days when tool makers just ‘made’ things are over.

Customers not only expect (and demand) high-quality, reduced lead times and cost competitiveness from their tooling supplier - they are also looking, in many instances, to work in collaboration with them - sharing expertise, shortening design-to-manufacture processes and lead times - and minimising risk.” This pragmatic and strategic approach to business is evident across all of PM and T’s operations.

* New technology - forward-looking and forward-thinking companies make prudent and timely investments in new technology - and PM and T is a case in point.

Already equipped with state-of-the-art CNC machine tool technology that includes suites of EDM machines (both wire and sink) located in the company’s designated EDM manufacturing cells - PM and T has now invested in Mikron advanced milling technology.

Saidl Newton: “The 2 new Mikron machines were selected for specific (and different) machining applications and operations.

The HSM 800 is a 3-axis High-Speed (HSM) milling machine.

It is being used to hard machine (steel) mould inserts that are often characterised by their intricate forms and micro features.

The machine is also used to manufacture copper electrodes for our spark erosion machines.” The HSM 800 supplied has a high-speed 36,000 rev/min High Torque spindle 20Nm (HSK 50E) and can achieve surface finishes of 0.2 micron Ra and accuracies of +/-6 micron (ISO 230 standard).

The machine’s speed, accuracy and surface finish have resulted in less reliance on EDM spark erosion machining (often a slower process), higher productivity and the elimination of time spent polishing the moulds.

The VCP 800W Duro is also a 3-axis machining centre and is being used on larger mould tools for roughing out operations - where the emphasis is on accurate high volumetric removal.

The machine has a 20,000 rev/min spindle (HSK 63A), 30 position automatic tool changer and rigid work table (900 x 600mm).

Both machines feature the powerful Heidenhain iTNC 530 control plus SMART technology software for improved process reliability and performance (Intelligent Thermal Compensation - ITC; Advanced Process System - APS) and laser tool measurement and workpiece probes - both fitted as options.

As well as both machines fitting PM and T’s requirements - the after-sales service provided by Agie Charmilles was also important in the purchase decision.

Said Rush: “We have a long relationship with AgieCharmilles GF (owing to our Charmilles wire EDM machines) - and value the after-sales services that are provided.”.

http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/agi/agi147.html

Mills CNC has announced that order intake for the first half of 2009 exceeded £14 million.Exclusive distributor of Doosan machine tools into the UK and Ireland, this achievement follows the company’s best-ever first quarter results (January – March), when the company reported orders in excess of £7 million.

“The latest sales results show that, despite current economic conditions, the strength, popularity and value for money of the Doosan and Mills brands are second to none,” said Nick Frampton, Mills CNC managing director.

“In the first 6 months of this year, we increased our market share across the board and, probably the most illuminating statistic we have to hand of this is that 33 per cent of all machine tool orders achieved during January to June were to new customers.”

The managing director also highlighted that the company has carried over a record order book - £8 million - into the second half of the year.

Further analysis of the company’s performance reveal that approaching two-thirds of all CNC lathes (chuck size 12″ or above) sold in the UK in the first half of 2009 were Doosan lathes; and a quarter of machining centres (verticals and horizontals) sold during the same period were also Doosan machines – all supplied by Mills.

As far as the remainder of 2009 is concerned, and also looking forward to 2010 and beyond, there is confidence that the sales performance achieved to date can be replicated - and improved upon - in the months to come, it is said.

“New Doosan machines and models will be launched by Mills into the UK in the near future – and these will help us move into new markets and consolidate our strong position on others,” Mr Frampton underlined.

‘”These new machines include the new range of vertical machines with Heidenhain controls (available since July 09), and a new range of Doosan 5-axis machining centres, which will be available towards the end of the Year.

“We’re confident that these new technology developments combined with the drive and commitment of our people will help Mills achieve even greater success in the future.”

http://www.machinery.co.uk/article/19512/Mills-CNC-orders-exceed-14-million-for-the-half-year.aspx

The Microcut 5025 CNC bed mill is a three-axis CNC machine with a sliding head that travels vertically on a square column, providing 27.5″ of Z-axis travel. X and Y axis travels are 50″ X 24″.

The table size is 63″ long and 19″ wide and is supported by a 55″ long saddle. Ball screws with a 40 mm (1.57″) diameter move the machine in all three axes.

The head on the 5025 mill is driven by a 10 hp motor and achieves electronic variable speeds controlled by a 10 hp rated inverter. The mill’s spindle is 40 taper and travels 6″.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3101/is_8_72/ai_n27556445