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2009 Edition Now Available. Launched in March 2006, the third edition of the Manufacturing Buyers Guide is now available. The Manufacturing Buyers Guide covers all areas of engineering, including automation,advanced manufacturing systems, machine tools, machine building, subcontracting and production together with warehousing and handling equipment. If you require any further information regarding any of our guides please complete our online enquiry form.
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James
James is an applications expert for one of the worlds leading adhesives companies. He specialises in bonding dissimilar materials, especially plastics and metals in structural applications. Jeremy is technical director of one of the best sealants business
Read full story New radius adapter aids gasket installation on control cabinets
This novel new component from FDB Panel Fittings is expected to be a significant aid to panel builders seeking to improve the look of their enclosures, while saving time on the assembly process. By providing a quickly placed corner fillet the new radius a
Read full story FAST exhibition brings cost savings for manufacturers
Industrial engineers designing and manufacturing superior quality products here in the UK know that material choice and assembly methods are critical elements to secure the integrity they demand of their finished products. And when it comes to higher inte
Read full story Nano-particle suspension in pharmaceutical mixing
A new clever mixing process is announced by the people at Intertronics using the Thinky ARV-310 and Thinky ARV-5000 industrial non-contact "planetary" mixers for engineering compounds. In particular these machines are excellent in creating nano-part
Read full story High speed rod guide from FDB Panel Fittings
Fixing of cabinet door hardware, like locking systems, can be a bit fiddly so manufacturers are taking serious steps to reduce the time taken on this task. Consequently, FDB Panel Fittings are delighted to announce availability of a new clip-on rod guid
Read full story NEW DIGITAL LASER SCANNER SPEEDS WELDING OF WIND TOWERS
A new, scanning-spot laser sensor designed to automate and speed the manufacture of wind towers and other structures containing metal of different thickness has been launched by Meta Vision Systems. Designated DLS200, the sensor is produced at the compan
Read full story HURCOS DECEMBER OPEN HOUSE BOOSTS TURNOVER BY 750,000
Representing a broad range of industries, 25 companies from the UK and Ireland attended the Hurco Europe open house, held at the companys High Wycombe showroom and technical centre from 8th to 10th December 2009. Fourteen machines valued at 750,000 wer
Read full story NEW BANDSAW IMPROVES PLASTICS STOCKHOLDERS SERVICE - and results in material savings of at least 10 per cent
One of Britains largest stockholders of engineering plastics, Ensinger Ltd, is providing faster delivery of more accurate cut pieces to its customers following the companys investment in a Missler DEB 540 ce bandsaw from KASTO, Milton Keynes.
Instal
Read full story IMPROVED LASER-SINTERING MACHINE PRODUCES TITANIUM COMPONENTS FASTER AND MORE ACCURATELY
Build speeds increased three- to four-fold and surface finish improved by up to 200 per cent using EOSINT M 270
The high strength, low weight and outstanding corrosion resistance of titanium and its alloys are well known, and so too are the difficulti
Read full story Keep on track with isel
Episode 7: Low-Cost CNC router saves money and reduces time to market for product display shelves
A manufacturer of personal care products has saved money and reduced time to market by switching to a low-cost computerised numerical control (CNC) route
Read full story KASTO OFFICIALLY OPENS NEW HEADQUARTERS
To celebrate its move from Southampton to new headquarters in Milton Keynes, the UK subsidiary of German sawing and storage equipment manufacturer, KASTO, held a two-day open house on 11th and 12th November 2009.
Mrs Lee Shaw, Chairman of the Alumin
Read full story CLITHEROE ENGINEERING GAINS AS9100
With effect from 23rd October 2009, Clitheroe Engineering has been accredited to AS9100 quality standard.
Based in Lancashire, in the heart of an important cluster of aerospace manufacturing companies in the north west of England, the subcontracto
Read full story 2 MILLION CELL AUTOMATES VIPER GRINDING OF POWER TURBINE VANES
A new cell based on a robotically fed Makino machining centre configured for VIPER (very impressive performance extreme removal) grinding has been installed at one of the Crewe production facilities of Trac Group. It follows the award of a long-term cont
Read full story LIGHTS-OUT SAWING AT STEEL STOCKHOLDER
Threefold productivity increase using high-rise, automated store
and carbide saws
With order sizes becoming ever smaller and the variety of cut sizes increasing, Finnish steel stockholder, Kontino, has invested in a computer-controlled sawing c
Read full story LARGEST HURCO MACHINING CENTRE GOES TO U.K. AEROSPACE SUBCONTRACTOR
The first of Hurcos largest vertical-spindle machining centres, a DCX32 with travels of (X) 3,200 x (Y) 2,200 x (Z) 920 mm and an installed weight of 39 tonnes, was delivered in June 2009 to TGM, an aerospace subcontractor in Preston serving both the civ
Read full story Largest Hurco machining centre goes to UK aerospace subcontractor
The first of Hurcos largest vertical-spindle machining centres, a DCX32 with travels of (X) 3,200 x (Y) 2,200 x (Z) 920 mm and an installed weight of 39 tonnes, was delivered in June 2009 to TGM, an aerospace subcontractor in Preston serving both the civ
Read full story Eye Spyraflo, a look at bearing applications....Episode 23: Giving gangways a new security
A manufacturer of equipment for loading and unloading at docks, such as gangways, crossover walkways and towers, discovered that bronze bushings used in their gangways were cracking and breaking. Spyraflo provider of innovative bearing solutions, solved t
Read full story DIRECT METAL LASER SINTERING (DMLS) OF TITANIUM GAINS IMPORTANCE IN THE MARKET
An increasing number of applications involving series production and customised manufacture of parts from titanium powder is reported by EOS, which manufactures additive layer, laser sintering systems at its Krailling factory near Munich.
Since the in
Read full story NEW SAWS FOR STRAIGHT AND MITRE CUTTING OF ALUMINIUM AND PLASTICS
A new range of circular saws has been introduced by KASTO, Milton Keynes, specifically for cutting aluminium and plastic profiles without damaging the delicate materials. Models in the KASTOalu range comprise manual and semi-automatic downstroking models
Read full story AUTOMATED ULTRASONIC CLEANING BOOSTS SEAL MANUFACTURERS PRODUCTIVITY
Stainless steel seal components are being cleaned more quickly, efficiently and economically at John Crane UK, Slough, following installation of a four-stage, aqueous cleaning line from Turbex. The equipment replaced two separate industrial washing syste
Read full story NEW GENERATION LASER SENSOR INCREASES QUALITY AND SPEED OF WELDING
A new laser sensor was launched at Schweissen & Schneiden by British manufacturer, Meta Vision Systems, for all types of mechanised and robotic welding. It is the first such sensor to incorporate high performance image processing in the sensor head i
Read full story ACOUSTIC MONITOR CUTS COST OF MACHINING
Sliding-head lathes 4,000 retrofit pays for itself in 10 weeks
Birmingham turned parts subcontractor, MSP, was experiencing a problem when machining components from Hastelloy bar on a CNC sliding-headstock lathe. The materials toughness was caus
Read full story Batch cleaning system from Drr covers wide application range
Designed for fine cleaning applications and capable of cleaning to Class 1 specifications, the new EcoCMax single-chamber aqueous system from Drr Ecoclean will be launched at Surface World 2009 by sole UK agent, Geo Kingsbury Machine Tools.
It
Read full story Compact aqueous cleaning system to be launched
Visitors to Surface World 2009 looking for aqueous cleaning equipment to solve their industrial washing and degreasing problems will find practically everything they need on the Turbex stand. New this year will be the FinnSonic Versa ultrasonic cleaning
Read full story HURCO ANNOUNCES HIGHER PERFORMANCE AT NO EXTRA COST
Hurco has launched a major upgrade of its best-selling, compact-footprint VM range of vertical machining centres. The improvements include adding around 50 mm to the Y and Z axes and providing a 10,000 rpm spindle as standard.
Designated VM10, VM
Read full story KASTO MOVES CLOSER TO ITS CUSTOMERS
Sawing machine and storage system specialist, KASTO Ltd, is moving its UK headquarters, showroom, technical centre and warehouse from Southampton to Milton Keynes. They will be operational from the new premises as from 1st October 2009.
The addre
Read full story Heald Worldwide First For Roadblocker
Following the recent crash tests on their HCR4M1200RB in line with the British Standard PAS68, Heald are pleased to announce the success of another test - A WORLDWIDE FIRST FOR A ROAD BLOCKER!
Tested at MIRA on Friday 20th March 2009 the Road blocker was
Read full story SCIENCE MUSEUM HOSTED LASER-SINTERING DEMONSTRATION
Over three days towards the end of August at the Science Museum in London, under the title CREATE AND MAKE - PRINT IN 3D, a FORMIGA P 100 plastic laser-sintering machine from EOS gave the general public a glimpse into the future of manufacturing. The m
Read full story MODERN STAR LATHES ARE TWICE AS FAST AS THEIR PREDECESSORS
There can be few manufacturers of turned parts in the UK with more experience of multi-axis CNC sliding-headstock machining than Oxley Developments in Ulverston, Cumbria. The firm is a global leader in the design and production of night vision equipment,
Read full story Wind turbines produced faster and to higher quality with British welding technology
Formed in 1984 as a spin-out from a research project in Oxford Universitys engineering science department, Meta Vision Systems is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year with a continuation of strong global business, despite the recession.
It
Read full story Hanningfield Uni-Dust Powder Recovery System
The recovery of waste powders using filterless cyclone technology
Air/solids cyclone technology provides an effective and very efficient solution for the separation and collection of powders in dust extraction applications.
The use of air/solids cyc
Read full story ARCHITECTURAL COLLEGE MAJORS ON LASER-SINTERING FOR MAKING DESIGN MODELS
The foremost academic institution for architechture and design in the UK, London-based UCL Bartlett School of Architecture, has installed two plastic laser-sintering machines from EOS to form the centrepiece of its additive layer manufacturing (ALM) depar
Read full story MiniTec writes the book on machine framing systems
MiniTec UK has compiled and written a reference guide on machine framing system design and applications. The pocket-sized 72-page hard copy book entitled Profile Systems for Mechanical Engineering covers a diversity of useful information from materials
Read full story FREE TRAINING PROVES POPULAR AT HURCO OPEN HOUSE
Free training classes in programming Hurco machine tools were a big attraction at the companys open house exhibition, held at Hurco Europes High Wycombe showroom from 6th to 9th July 2009. In total, 44 companies visited the show and 12 orders worth 70
Read full story SUBCONTRACTOR EXPANDS INTO 5-AXIS MACHINING AND LARGER COMPONENT PRODUCTION
The installation of two new Hurco machining centres has allowed Lancashire subcontractor, A&G Precision, to attract more work and produce components more efficiently in fewer set-ups.
The company is a leading producer of complex components use
Read full story NCMT to sell equipment for avoiding machining chatter
The exclusive UK distributorship for Manufacturing Laboratories Incfs MetalMAX and Harmonizer diagnostic products, which analyse machine vibration on the shop floor, has been awarded to NCMT. The company has already been using the etap testingf equipm
Read full story STAINLESS STEEL AERO PARTS MACHINED FASTER IN ONE HIT
A stainless steel shaft for an aerospace fuel system is machined at both ends in one hit from S143 aerospace stainless steel bar in a reduced cycle time on the Star SR-20RIII sliding-head lathe at Crediton subcontractor, Rotamic Precision Engineering. Pr
Read full story NCMT wins presetting and measuring machine agency
NCMT has been appointed sole agent in Britain and Ireland for the range of tool presetting and measuring equipment manufactured by Speroni S.p.a. Headquartered in Pavia, Italy, the company has more than 5,000 installations worldwide.
Renowned for
Read full story New machining centres for cutting titanium
As new aircraft have to fulfill ever-higher standards of efficiency to lower emission levels, increasing use will be made of titanium due to its lightness and strength. Fifteen per cent of the extra-wide-body version of the Airbus A350 by weight will be
Read full story Ex rated Explosion Proof Housing for Optical Sensor Range.
Leuze electronic have extended their range of explosion proof optical sensors with several new versions, plus a range of innovative new protection housings. These housings can be fitted to Leuze electronics very cost effective standard sensors to enable
Read full story Seven-machine FMS ordered by aircraft constructor
Despite the economic downturn, German machine tool builder, Drries Scharmann Technologie GmbH (DST), has received one of its biggest ever orders from aircraft constructor, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), based in the south coast city of Sacheon. The m
Read full story HURCO INTRODUCES BRIDGE-TYPE MACHINING CENTRES
Three new twin-column, bridge-type machining centres, designated DCX 22-40, DCX 22-50 and DCX 32, have been introduced by Hurco Europe, High Wycombe.
Their construction has advantages over gantry-type and C-frame machines in that it has superior t
Read full story Leuze electronics Smarter Camera for Industry
Leuze electronics new LSIS 400i smart camera represents the next generation of smart cameras because it combines high-performance, with unique and innovative features such as homogeneous lighting, motor-driven focus adjustment and integrated configuratio
Read full story Schneeberger low friction MONORAIL BM series linear motion guide bearings are available from LG Motion Limited
Schneebergers MONORAIL BM series, 4-row recirculating ball guideway provides automation machine builders with a high load, high rigidity linear bearing system that is optimised for exceptionally smooth and quiet operation. The low friction bearing is an
Read full story LG Motion launch new manual and motorised rotary table range
LG Motion Limited, the Basingstoke based motion specialists has launched a new range of manual and motorised rotary stages for precision positioning applications across laboratory, optical bench and industrial automation with standard accuracy to 0.1 degr
Read full story MiniTec grows with acquisition of FMS solutions provider Profi-team
Machine building and framing specialist MiniTec Maschinenbau GmbH, the parent company of MiniTec UK Ltd has recently acquired the Spanish flexible assembly line and belt conveyor systems company Profi-team S.A.
A new company, MiniTec Espana S.L. has been
Read full story BESPOKE CLEANING MACHINES AT STANDARD PRICES
A new range of industrial component cleaning machines has been introduced by the Finnish manufacturer, FinnSonic, that allows users to order systems that exactly suit their needs for the same price as a standard system. Availability in the UK is through
Read full story UK subcontractor beats Asian prices
Subcontractors in China, India and Eastern Europe have traditionally undercut British firms when bidding for contracts to produce large volumes of turned parts, but that is changing. Last autumn (2008), DJJ Precision Engineering, Pontypool, invested in a
Read full story SEMINARS ON MAXIMISING TITANIUM MACHINING EFFICIENCY
Following NCMTs successful titanium machining roadshow, which visited six venues around the UK during March and April and attracted more than 150 engineers, principally from the aerospace, power generation and medical sectors, the company has announced t
Read full story What keeps India
The polymer bearing company igus, based in Northampton, illustrates just how robust "iglidur" plastic plain bearings are using a real Bollywood film as an example. In Bangalore and many other Indian cities motorised taxi rickshaws are fitted with
Read full story igus is giving away free cable carrier and Chainflex continuous-flex cable samples
igus (UK) has announced it is giving away free cable carrier and continuous-flex cable samples as part of its newly-launched Sample Test Drive Program.
The program is aimed at OEMs who want to evaluate the performance of igus products before purchas
Read full story New: Twistable optical fibre cable for 3D movements in energy chains
Bus system problems often occur during twisting applications in energy chains, particularly with shielded data cables if the shields get damaged or open up. This is not the case with glass fibre-optic cables: These do not have a mechanically vulnerable sh
Read full story Lubrication-free DryLin R linear plain bearings replace bearing guides. A wide range is currently available ex-stock
DryLin R linear plain bearings from igus UK are free from lubrication, robust and corrosion-resistant. The linear bearings with highly wear-resistant polymers are replacing metallic bushings in many cases. Maintenance intervals are shortened, service li
Read full story Maintenance-free polymer ball bearings in new materials and dimensions
The plain bearing specialist igus has recently expanded the new xiros plastic ball bearing range. The positive feedback from customers has resulted in the "xiros" maintenance-free polymer ball bearings becoming an independent product line. The n
Read full story Lubricantion-free "iglidur" high-temperature micro-bearings
igus, experts in durable machine components and systems made of tribo-plastic (tribologically optimised special plastic), have further stretched the bounds of possibility further than ever. Tribology is the science of the interaction of friction, lubric
Read full story Toothed belt drive for quick positioning
igus have developed a lubricant-free toothed belt drive, specifically for the low-cost sector for the fast positioning of small loads of up to 15kg. The new linear unit "DryLin ZLW-0630 Basic" is compact, very small and a lightweight design a fa
Read full story DryLin W" guides now with adjustable bearing clearance
Adjustable clearance, lubrication-free and resistance to contamination are todays current trends in linear technology. Keeping in line with these, the plain bearing expert igus have developed a new "DryLin W" linear guide with a "turn-to-fit[D
Read full story Triflex RS" for compact cable guidance
Plastic corrugated tubes used in robotic applications can bend and tear because they cannot absorb torsional movements very well. Energy chain experts igus have already developed the "Triflex R"; a multi-dimensional energy chain system with comple
Read full story DryLin EasyTube: the totally lubrication free compact linear module
igus UK, the industry-leading developer of plastic cable carriers, bearings and continuous-flex cables, has unveiled a new maintenance-free linear unit for format adjustments.
DryLin EasyTube can be used for adjustment tasks up to 150 newtons in ver
Read full story HIGH-SPEED, 5-AXIS MACHNING CENTRE FOR SMALLER AEROSPACE PARTS
The Japanese machine tool manufacturer, Makino, has introduced a new, 5-axis, horizontal machining centre which extends the productivity benefits and cost savings of its MAG range of high-speed aluminium profilers down to smaller size components.
Read full story TURBEX LAUNCHES NEW WEB SITE
Organisations that are considering buying an automated or manually operated, aqueous cleaning machine or line will find their web-based research easier now that Turbex has revised and upgraded its web site. Changes have been made to facilitate searching
Read full story Meta Appoints North America Sales Director
STEPHEN THACKER has been appointed Director of Sales for North America by Meta Vision Systems Inc, Montreal, Canada. The company is a world leader in the design and manufacture of laser- and camera-based systems for automating production processes, notab
Read full story Optimized performancefor demanding operations in large machines
Sandvik Coromant has launched the largest size of Coromant Capto coupling as standard.
Coromant Capto coupling size C10 is designed to improve performance for demanding applications in the large machine tools. It allows higher feeds and depths of cut
Read full story Product InnovationPoppit, the discrete fastener with many applications
Poppit was designed by bigHead to solve a tricky problem; How to discretely fix a panel with a fastener that ensures perfect alignment and allows the panel to be easily demounted without damage to the panel or the fastener. The system must be quick and s
Read full story SUBCONTRACTOR CHOOSES ROBUST SLIDING-HEAD LATHE FOR AEROSPACE APPLICATIONS
Most of the components produced by APPH Nottingham are destined for the aerospace sector, particularly the landing gear that its parent group designs and manufactures. Many components are mill-turned from stainless steel and titanium bar, so in June 2007
Read full story NEW ALUMINIUM CUTTING LINE
Ideal for small to medium volume manufacturers of high performance, aluminium doors and windows, a new cutting line has been introduced by the Italian machine builder, FOM. Availability in the UK is through sole agent, KASTO, Southampton.
The LT5
Read full story Marshall Vehicle Engineering goes large with first production robot implementation
Marshall Vehicle Engineering, part of Marshall Land Systems, has illustrated just how effective welding robots can be with its first implementation of robots in a production environment. Two robots mounted on a 24 metre overhead gantry are welding compl
Read full story FANUC Robotics makes a strong entry into 09
Riding the cyclical trends of industrial markets is something that FANUC Robotics UK Ltd has performed well since its entry into to the UK robotics sector in 1982. As it begins 2009 it can celebrate its highest January order book for over ten years.
Thi
Read full story Compact zero-backlash gearbox and servo actuator range punches well above its size with 18 Nm torque rating in 50 mm housing
A new range of ultra-compact high-torque gearboxes and servomotor driven rotary positioning actuators, based upon SPINEAs TwinSpin bearing reducer technology has been launched by motion control specialists Heason Technology.
The TS50 gearbox
Read full story Nord Gear adds NORDBLOC.1 range to same-day UK gear motor assembly service with new production line
Nord Gear Limited has added a further production line at its Abingdon based assembly and service facility, expanding its same-day assembly service to NORDBLOC.1 series helical inline gear motors for torque output to 640 Nm and motor ratings to 9.2 kW.
Read full story Pilz to launch novel automation system at Hannover Fair
Pilz will be on stand K12 in Hall 14 at the 2009 Hannover Fair, which takes place from 20-24 April, plus Safety Network International eV will be on stand L19 in the same Hall.
Pilz will be unveiling a novel automation system that combines safety, standar
Read full story Are you still using BS EN 954-1?
It has been widely reported that EN 954-1 is being replaced by EN ISO 13849-1 'Safety of machinery, Safety-related parts of control systems, Part 1: General principles for design' and that there is a transition period during which EN 954-1 remains c
Read full story Machinery safety questions and answers
Pilz Automation Technology has run education and training events for over ten years, with the most popular courses consistently being those relating to machinery safety regulations and standards. Attendees find the question-and-answer sessions extremely v
Read full story LARGE, 5-AXIS MACHINING CENTRE CAN BE AUTOMATED
Following Hermles introduction of the C 50 U vertical machining centre for 3- to 5-axis machining of workpieces weighing up to two tonnes, the German manufacturer has announced the availability of a pallet changer and other automation equipment. UK agen
Read full story NEW DIGITAL LASER SCANNERS
Following an extensive R&D programme combining optics, electronics, firmware and mechanical sensor design, Meta Vision Systems has launched a new, 3D digital laser scanner for use in automated welding equipment. Designated DLS300, it can be in other
Read full story T-SLOT COVERS AID SWARF REMOVAL
T-slots in a machine table tend to harbour swarf and make it difficult to remove. To avoid the problem, BIG Daishowa has introduced a range of covers, called T-Slot Clean, through UK agent, NCMT.
The ability to remove swarf quickly and comprehens
Read full story ENERGY CONTRACTS DRIVE MACHINE TOOL INVESTMENT
At its Moranbah North underground mine in central Queensland, Australia, Anglo Coal is deploying the worlds largest hydraulic roof supports, with almost 50 per cent more thrust than other designs. Much of the internal hydraulic valve gear was machined b
Read full story KASTO RECEIVES SAFETY ACCREDITATION
The Southampton subsidiary of German sawing machine and storage system manufacturer, KASTO, is one of the latest firms to receive accreditation under the SAFEcontractor scheme, which recognises the highest standards of health and safety practice among UK
Read full story AIR TURBINE SPINDLE FOR ULTRA-HIGH-SPEED MICRO-MACHINING
To achieve sufficiently high cutting speeds for efficient metal removal and acceptable tool life when using very small diameter cutters, BIG Daishowa has introduced two new air turbine spindles. The RBX5 version operates at between 30,000 and 50,000 rpm,
Read full story 5-AXIS MACHINING PAYS OFF FOR SUBCONTRACTOR
Bedfordshire subcontractor, Anotronic, specialises in machining exotic materials like titanium alloys, nickel alloys and CPM10V, a 9.75 per cent vanadium tool steel that is four times tougher than D2. To reap the benefits of 5-axis machining in these dif
Read full story BRITISH LASER VISION SYSTEMS TO AUTOMATE CHINESE PIPE MANUFACTURE
One of the largest, privately owned manufacturers of spiral pipe in China has placed a large repeat order for laser-based weld seam tracking systems from Meta Vision Systems, whose headquarters and factory are located near Oxford.
The mill first p
Read full story ENTRY-LEVEL PUNCH PRESSES AND PLASMA CUTTING MACHINES
new range of entry-level punch presses, punching /plasma cutting combination machines and hydraulic notching equipment has been introduced to the UK and Irish markets by Press & Shear Machinery, Tamworth. It follows the conclusion of a sales and serv
Read full story Doyen launches 4DS Wound Care Dressing Converting Machine
Doyen Medipharm Ltd, a specialist supplier of Converting and Packaging lines for the medical and pharmaceutical industries, is launching their new 4DS wound care converting machine.
The 4DS complements Doyens range of high end manufacturing equipment,
Read full story NEW TURNING CENTRE FROM HURCO
For mill-turning complex components in a single set-up, Hurco has added a new turning centre to its range of 6-, 8- and 10-inch chuck lathes. The company has chosen the 8-inch capacity machine with 64 mm bar capacity to be the first to be equipped with d
Read full story ULTRASONIC CLEANING SYSTEM HAS COMPACT FOOTPRINT
Cleaning machines for washing and rinsing components in several stages often have their rectangular process tanks positioned end to end in a line. The Versa+ ultrasonic cleaning machine is different in that the Finnish manufacturer, FinnSonic, has swivel
Read full story Understanding the true value of free technical support
With increasing pressure on design and maintenance engineers to achieve more in less time, it becomes even more important to source technical components from suppliers that provide an exceptional level of customer support. While an engineer will typically
Read full story SLIDING-HEAD LATHES ARE AS FAST AS MULTIS
The two Star CNC sliding-headstock lathes operated by Reading-based contract machinist, Rodmatic, are able to mill-turn components of medium to high complexity as quickly as any of the 42 cam-type, six-spindle automatics on site, according to owner and ma
Read full story Free booklet outlines machinery safety training courses
Unlike many other training providers, Pilz Automation Technology truly practices what it preaches. People attending Pilz machinery safety training courses can therefore be assured that they will benefit from knowledge gained by Pilz engineers and consulta
Read full story NEW TOOL CABINETS MAXIMISE PRODUCTIVITY
Re-engineering cuts subcontractors tooling costs by 20 per cent. The cost of buying metalcutting tools has been slashed by one fifth at Chard subcontractor, Metaltech Precision, resulting in a monthly saving of around 2,000. It follows a company-wide a
Read full story RIGGS AUTOPACKS FILLING EXPERTISE ON SHOW
Riggs Autopack Ltd, one of the UKs leading equipment suppliers to the food industry, will be showcasing a range of its depositors, filling machines and transfer pumps, including its renowned fully automatic filling line, at this years Pro2Pac exhibition
Read full story LASER-SINTERING SPEEDS DEVELOPMENT AND MANUFACTURE OF PARTS FOR SPINAL SURGERY
One of the worlds largest producers of implants and instruments for spinal surgery, DePuy Spine of Raynham, Massachusetts, is dramatically reducing lead times for making new and customised equipment for minimally invasive surgery (MIS). It follows the a
Read full story HURCO OPEN HOUSE BOOSTS DECEMBER ORDERS TO 1.5 MILLION
Orders for 21 machine tools to the value of 1.5 million were taken by Hurco Europe during December 2009. This was partly due to the success of the companys open house at its High Wycombe showroom during the second week, which was attended by nearly 100
Read full story TURN-CUTTING ON A MACHINING CENTRE IS TWICE AS FAST AS TURNING ON A LATHE
A subcontractor in Honley, near Huddersfield, has reported astonishing benefits by turning large, eccentric components on an Okuma MA600-HB horizontal machining centre (HMC) instead of on a vertical turning lathe (VTL). Cutting cycles are at least twice
Read full story MiniTec UK Ltd Stand 804
MiniTec UK Ltd are attending the show for the third year running and will show an even larger selection of machine framing and modular positioning components and systems from its innovative Profile System and Linear System ranges.
These ranges ha
Read full story Buoyant coal industry boosts subcontractors turnover by 40 per cent
Substantial investment over recent years by owners of coal mines in the UK has been instrumental in Lancashire-based contract machinist, Clitheroe Light Engineering, increasing its turnover by 17 per cent in 2007 and a further 21 per cent in 2008.
Read full story FRAME MACHINING TIMES HALVED
Aluminium and steel frames for marquees and other temporary or portable structures are being machined twice as quickly at Tectonics UK, Alresford, since a FOM machining centre took over from manual drilling, slotting and milling in January 2008. A furthe
Read full story ISCAR OFFERS ENHANCED 5-AXIS APPLICATIONS ENGINEERING SERVICE
OEMs and subcontractors often expect complete applications packages to go with new cutting tools and are demanding ever higher levels of support from suppliers. Iscar Tools has taken a further initiative in this area by investing in a Mazak Variaxis 730-
Read full story UK launch of laser-sintering powders for additive layer manufacture
The Warwick subsidiary of German laser-sintering machine and powder manufacturer, EOS, has decided at the last minute to exhibit at Autosport International. The reason is that accelerated development of new plastics and metal alloys in powder form, ideal
Read full story COST EFFECTIVE MACHINE TOOL PROBES INCREASE ACCURACY AND PRODUCTIVITY
Equipment that supports broadcast cameras has become much more complex and precise over the last decade, according to leading British manufacturer, Camera Dynamics. To assist in machining the component parts to the required accuracy, many of its machine
Read full story Travelling-column machining centre is largest yet
An enormous working envelope of up to 40 metres in the longitudinal X-axis, 5.1 metres in the vertical Y-axis and 1.8 metres in Z is offered by a new, travelling-column machining centre from SHW, Germany. Called UniForce 7, the horizontal-spindle machine
Read full story Cell flexibility allows reconfiguration for welding or machining
Polishing to remove imperfections from the surfaces of extruded aluminium shower rails that have been stretch-formed and bent is a dirty, messy job to do by hand. Aluminium oxide, dust from the polishing mop and the liquid medium c ombine to make an oper
Read full story EASILY PROGRAMMED PRESS BRAKES ARE IDEAL FOR STORAGE SYSTEM MANUFACTURE
A long-time user of CNC press brakes for the production of garden tractors and ride-on mowers, Countax is also now making tower storage systems for factories. It needed press brakes of increased bed length to cope with large sheet metal panels and other
Read full story Plant Assessments check safety of machinery and work equipment
HSE (Health and Safety Executive) investigations of machine-related accidents often find that the machinery was inadequately guarded. Other contributory factors include faults with safety-related control systems and too heavy a reliance on operating proce
Read full story PAYNE EXPERIENCED AT DEUTZ AG-UK DURING THE CREDIT CRUNCH
Alan Beech, Director of UK and Irish Operations at Deutz AG is pleased to announce the recruitment of Christopher Payne. He has joined as Engine Sales Team Leader to complete the company's Leadership Team.
Chris has a formal M&E trained backgr
Read full story PRESS BRAKE TOOLING CAN BE ORDERED ONLINE
A new web site, www.pressbraketooling.com, has been launched by sheet metal machinery specialist, Press & Shear, to allow press brake users to browse an online catalogue containing the full range of tooling that the company supplies.
Three pop
Read full story MACHINE IDLE TIMES REDUCED TO ALMOST ZERO
One of the worlds leading manufacturers of safety valves, LESER, located in Northern Germany, has installed two (soon to be three) Scharmann DBF630 horizontal machining centres from Drries Scharmann Technologie (DST) to machine large valve bodies and th
Read full story Partnership drives competitiveness at Perkins Engines - increasing UK based in-house machining
Manufacturing Coach is a job title that becomes very obvious after only a few minutes talking to Tony Green of Perkins Engines. Enthusiasm pours from Tony as he explains the shift in working practice that has benefitted the company, and the UK, over the
Read full story Centreless Tooling Group now offers Weldon Solutions grinding machines
Centreless Tooling Group has concluded an exclusive agency agreement with Weldon Solutions which sees the company representing the full range of CNC grinding machines from the American manufacturer.
The Centreless Tooling Group has an enviable reputa
Read full story Free guaranteed next-day delivery
From 1 January 2009 Horn Cutting Tools Ltd, Ringwood will be offering free guaranteed next-day delivery on standard tooling orders over 50 net, for orders placed before 6.30 pm.
The offer follows a major investment at Horn GmbH in a computer controll
Read full story KASTO at Autosport International 2009
Whereas at last years Autosport International, KASTO exhibited its automated storage and retrieval systems for long stock, sheet metal and other materials, at the 2009 show (8th / 9th January, NEC) the company will present its latest Workshop range of sa
Read full story BURCAS EXPANDS AEROSPACE SUBCONTRACTING WITH FIRST 5-AXIS MACHINING CENTRE
In August 2008, family-owned tooling manufacturer and subcontractor, Burcas Ltd, installed its first 5-axis machining centre to supplement 3-axis prismatic metalcutting and extensive multi-axis mill-turning at its Birmingham factory.
An early job
Read full story THINK 30-TAPER FOR HIGH PRODUCTIVITY AND LOW EMISSIONS, SAYS BROTHER
The Japanese machine tool manufacturer, Brother, which specialises in building machining centres that use 30-taper spindle tooling, has unveiled a new model that takes speed of operation and power consumption to unrivalled levels of efficiency. Celebrati
Read full story Bending machine has programmable angle control and automatic springback compensation
Widely used in the steel and construction sectors, horizontal bending machines are finding new uses for producing sheet metal parts and processing a variety of materials including copper. The process allows closed forms, boxes, pipework and frames to be
Read full story EFFICIENT CLEANING OF DIESEL INJECTORS ENSURES THEIR RELIABILITY
A significant number of electronic fuel injectors for diesel trucks in use worldwide are produced in the Stonehouse, Gloucestershire factory of US-owned Delphi Diesel. Customers include Volvo, DAF, Daimler, John Deere and Asian commercial vehicle manufac
Read full story INTELLIGENT MITRE SAW EXTENDS STEEL STOCKHOLDERS SERVICE
One of the largest independent steel stockholders in the UK with an annual turnover in excess of 50 million, Hall & Pickles has extended its service to customers by installing a circular saw at its Poynton facility. Called KASTOflex A, the machine a
Read full story Weighing equipment manufacturer halves programming times
The launch by Avery Weigh-Tronix of a new range of on-board weighing products based on digital load cells, designed to fit to the axles of commercial vehicles to prevent them being overloaded, prompted a comprehensive review of the prismatic metalcutting
Read full story AUTOMATED CLEANING STREAMLINES FASTENER PRODUCTION
At the Birmingham factory of Emhart Teknologies (part of the Black & Decker Group), an automated cleaning line from Drr Ecoclean became operational at the end of 2007 to provide centralised and more effective removal of oil contamination during the m
Read full story TOOLING COMPANY MOVES TO 24/7 PRODUCTION WITH FLEXIBLE MACHINING CELLS
Such has been the success of Secos Jetstream Tooling range of high-pressure, through-coolant turning tools that the Swedish companys UK subsidiary, where all the new tools are being manufactured, has had to increase production capacity sharply. In Jul
Read full story MAKINO TAKES 5-AXIS MACHINING ACCURACY
Renowned for supplying machining centres capable of very high levels of accuracy, the Japanese manufacturer, Makino, has announced a sequel to the V55-5XA vertical-spindle, 5-axis machining centre that it launched in 1999. Designated D500, the new machin
Read full story Iscar tooling and consultancy turn loss into profit at aerospace subcontractor by optimising exceptionally rigorous milling of stainless steel
Year on year reductions in the price that aircraft manufacturers are prepared to pay for components means that subcontractors constantly have to look for ways of extracting unnecessary cost from their machining processes. For the last three years, tier 1
Read full story First 5-axis horizontal machining centre from OKK
A new, horizontal-spindle machining centre capable of fully interpolative 5-axis CNC machining of prismatic components has been introduced to the UK by Whitehouse Machine Tools, sole UK agent for the Japanese machine tool manufacturer, OKK.
Design
Read full story New turning tools
TaeguTecs blade programme now includes face turning applications while the modular T-Clamp line now includes quick change heads.
The three new heads, the C4, C5 and C6, have all been designed to accommodate all the existing adapters that are in stock
Read full story Collet closer maximises raw material loading capacity of machining centres
Designed for use on either vertical or horizontal machining centres, the Lexair Tri-Grip collet closer claims to maximise the raw material loading capacity of any machining centre.
Featuring a compact design with three closers integrated into one body
Read full story Mill-turn centre duo cover entry level up to medium complexity
Star Micronics has introduced two new sliding-headstock, 7-axis CNC mill-turn centres for the manufacture of turned parts up to 20 mm diameter ranging from relatively simple to medium complexity.
The traditional version with guide bush, SR-20J, is sui
Read full story Shopfloor-proof beam gauges for measuring diameters of on-machine components
Bowers Metrology Intex range shopfloor-proof comparator gauges are designed for the accurate in-process measurement of large internal and external diameters on components that are located within machine tools. They are described as ideal for gauging parts
Read full story MultiMill solid carbide endmill for roughing and finishing
The MultiMill four flute high helix solid carbide endmill delivers remarkable metal removal rates for roughing as well as surface finishes beyond most finishing tools on the market, says TaeguTec. It also eliminates tool changeover and also reduces the nu
Read full story Two spindle slliding head lathe powers up turning
With balanced main and sub-spindle operations, the two model Nomura NN-YB series of Swiss-type sliding head CNC lathes offers both flexibility and the spindle power to turn even the most demanding engineering materials.
The lathes are capable of turni
Read full story Microscope range of single-ended micro tools for accurate small threads, bores and grooves
The Vargus MiniPro threading solution range has been expanded with a Microscope line of single-ended micro tools that are highly accurate for small bore (down to 1.7 mm diameter) threading, grooving and boring applications in all materials.
Featuring
Read full story Through tool coolant gear milling cutters
Gear milling cutters with internal through the tool cooling that presents either air, neat cutting oil or emulsion directly into the chip clearance space in front of the indexable carbide insert have been developed by LMT Fette.
The effect of direct f
Read full story Waterjet cleaning systems become more intelligent and easier to use
Waterjet cleaning systems become more intelligent and easier to use
All KMT robotic three-dimensional waterjet xleaning and aurface treatment systems now include the companys CleaningWare program and a new Tool Centre Point (TCP) control. There is al
Read full story Time-saving enhancements to NCL multi-axis machining software
NCL multi-axis machining software from NCCS now uses geometry manipulation to allow programmers multiple options when manipulating the geometry of the model. This feature helps to make complicated models easier in 5-axis programming.
In NCL, users now
Read full story Integrex i-150 improvements further enhance axis accuracy
The Yamazaki Mazak Integrex i 150, 2,200 by 2,420 mm footprint machining centre, launched at MACH 2008, is designed for manufacturing small, complex components in as few operations as possible. Recent enhancements include a rotary scale and a reduced dis
Read full story Spherosyn 2G digital linear encoder is faster to install
The Newall Spherosyn 2G linear encoder is designed for the conventional machine tool market, is now quicker to install, requires no maintenance and comes with a five year warranty on the encoder and a lifetime warranty on the scales.
The Spherosyn 2G
Read full story Programmable MultiWave aqueous cleaner can temper vibrations to suit delicate or tough subjects
FinnSonics MultiWave aqueous cleaning machine is not restricted to generating either a high or a low frequency of constant power, or perhaps both frequencies simultaneously like conventional ultrasonic models.
Low frequency, aggressive vibrations hel
Read full story New all-in-one safety gate switch and interlock
Pilz Automation Technology is launching a new PSENslock device that combines the functions of a safety gate monitoring switch and interlock in one compact, robust unit. Suitable for mounting directly on 45mm extruded aluminium profiles, the PSENslock is d
Read full story Pilz opens new research and development centre
Earlier in the summer of 2008, Pilz GmbH & Co KG officially opened the Peter Pilz Technology Centre as part of its 60th anniversary celebrations. This new facility was required in order to house the research and development department, which has recen
Read full story TURNED PARTS SUBCONTRACTOR CONTINUES TO INVEST
Hertford-based contract machinist, Qualiturn, which specialises in precision mill-turning of components on sliding-head and fixed-head lathes, has invested 320,000 in 2008 to upgrade its capacity and streamline shop floor procedures with a view to maximi
Read full story Motorsport subcontractor installs 5-axis machining centre for composites
Brackley-based Crosby Composites has installed a 5-axis machining centre from CMS Group (UK), Nottingham, for machining complex components from composite materials to high accuracy.
The first set of seventeen components produced on the Ares 3626 m
Read full story DEUTZ Motors Ahead In First Half Of Year, But Strikes A Note Of Caution
DEUTZ AG, manufacturers of diesel and gas engines, boosted its global revenue and unit sales in the first six months of 2008, compared to the same period last year.
Sales rose by 15 per cent to E825.5 million, up from E717.7 million in the first six mo
Read full story Extra CNC axis boosts press brake efficiency
After buying its first Baykal press brake with 2-axis CNC backstop from Press & Shear Machinery in 2004, Fareham-based Searle Manufacturing immediately noticed increased productivity compared with using an older NC machine on which the backstop was ad
Read full story EOS TO PRESENT LATEST GENERATION OF LASER-SINTERING SYSTEMS AND POWDERS
New plastic materials: PrimePart DC is a new, impact resistant plastic material from EOS. The natural coloured polyamide offers an elongation at break of 50 percent. That is about twice as high as those of previously available materials.
With a te
Read full story SHOP FLOOR PROGRAMMING SPEEDS PRODUCTION OF MILLED PARTS
Two-thirds of Portchester Engineerings turnover comes from subcontract production of metal and plastic components for the marine industry, shipbuilders as well as offshore oil and gas platform operators being regular customers. To provide additional cap
Read full story WORLDS FIRST CLEANING MACHINE WITH FREELY PROGRAMMABLE ULTRASONICS
power levels and durations throughout a washing cycle to optimise removal of oil, grease and particulates from components.
Finnish manufacturer, FinnSonic, has launched the MultiWave machine in competition with conventional ultrasonic models, whic
Read full story SURGICAL POWER TOOLS NEED SLIDING-HEAD MILL-TURNING ACCURACY
Drilling and sawing procedures during small bone surgery require a hand-held power tool rotating at up to 20,000 rpm, so component parts must be highly accurate to avoid vibration and noise. However, there is a trend towards smaller, more compact hand to
Read full story LONG-BED PRESSES AND MULTI-OUT TOOLS INCREASE STAMPING EFFICIENCY
To compete with overseas manufacturers, UK firms need to invest in modern, efficient, accurate machine tools. Success stories are often cited in CNC metalcutting but they are less common in the metalforming sector. A good example of a world-class manufa
Read full story MID ENTRY-LEVEL SLIDING-HEAD LATHE, WITH OR WITHOUT GUIDE BUSH
For the manufacture of turned parts up to 20 mm diameter ranging from relatively simple to medium-complex, Star Micronics has introduced two new sliding-headstock, 7-axis CNC mill-turn centres.
The traditional version with guide bush, SR-20J, is s
Read full story Reluctance Motor
Long used to power vacuum cleaners, fans and pumps, the reluctance motor delivers high, constant power at an efficiency above 90 per cent, but its high torque ripple made it unsuitable for applications where accurate speed control is essential.
In
Read full story BEECH TAKES THE DRIVING SEAT AT DEUTZ UK
DEUTZ AG UK Branch, which provides sales, service and product support for the German produced range of diesel and gas engines, has appointed Alan Beech as its new Operations Director UK and Ireland.
Mr. Beech joins the Cannock, Staffordshire compan
Read full story LASER-SINTERING MEETS TIGHT TOLERANCES IN AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURE
A US supplier to the aerospace industry, Northwest UAV Propulsion Systems, Oregon, has purchased an EOSINT P 390 laser-sintering machine from EOS, Germany, to produce aircraft components directly from CAD models by fusing successive layers of polyamide po
Read full story ABRASIVE DISCS FOR GRINDING AND CUTTING STEEL
Two new abrasive products with improved performance characteristics for freehand grinding and cutting have been introduced by Tyrolit.
One is the SILENTIO grinding wheel, which combines maximum stock removal rates with long life and noise reductio
Read full story SUBCONTRACTOR DOUBLES PRISMATIC MACHINING CAPACITY, WITHOUT MOVING FACTORY
At the start of 2007, RE Thompson, a leading contract machinist serving the aerospace and defence sectors, was running all of its manually operated, twin-pallet (2APC) machining centres around the clock. There was no space to expand operations on the sit
Read full story BRAKE MANUFACTURER HALVES CYCLE TIMES WITH 5-AXIS MACHINING
Machining of monobloc brake calipers from aluminium alloy billet for motorsport vehicles and high-performance road cars is now much faster at Alcon Components Tamworth factory, following the installation of a Hermle 5-axis, vertical-spindle machining cel
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