EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Industry 4.0-enabled bar feeds

1st Machine Tool Accessories has revealed that all bar feeds produced by its principal Iemca can now be Industry 4.0 enabled.

Wireless data communication allows much more information to be transmitted in comparison with a hard-wired connection. According to the company, the solution is unlike those offered by competitors in that it allows customers to integrate the equipment more conveniently: instead of requiring connection into a factory’s intranet to achieve wireless data flow, the Iemca bar feed and lathe communicate via the cloud. In Italy alone there are already more than 300 Iemca Industry 4.0 bar-feed installations.
Reliance solely on an Internet link simplifies set-up. The configuration also has the advantage that equipment status and performance can be monitored on a PC, tablet or a smartphone away from the factory.
In a further development from Iemca, the company has launched what it says is the first bundle loader capable of being added to a bar feed already installed and running in a factory. Called the Caddy F, the device is capable of accommodating a 250 mm diameter bundle of bars weighing up to 2.5 tonnes. The loader is of open design so can easily be replenished with new stock material.
Availability has also been announced of a Caddy P version, which is a multi-rack system capable of providing up to 2 m of additional capacity. Both the Caddy F and the Caddy P have been designed to allow access to the bar feed by means of a rail system mounted on the floor.
For further information www.1mta.com

Typhoon CNC turning centres unveiled

At last month’s MACH 2018 exhibition at the Birmingham NEC, Colchester Machine Tool Solutions (formerly 600 UK), launched its new range of Typhoon CNC turning centres. Both the linear and box-way Typhoon models were showcased at the event.

The latest Typhoon series introduces Colchester’s next generation in CNC turning, following on from the Tornado range. Colchester offers Typhoon models as a choice of either quick, low-friction linear (L series) or heavy-duty boxway (B series) turning centres. All are available with variations of two-axis, C-axis, sub-spindle and Y-axis functions in a range of bar capacities to suit all turning applications.
Typhoon CNC turning centres are fitted with the latest Fanuc Oi-TF control system with Manual Guide i, and are all manufactured with a one-piece cast-iron base featuring a 30° slant-bed design that gives a low centre of gravity and a better ergonomic design, maximising precision cutting, regardless of component complexity.
Typhoon models are available with numerous options for customers to get the best from any of their complex machine tool requirements.
Paul Rushworth, sales director of Colchester Machine Tool Solutions says: “We have looked long and hard at our next generation of turning centres and the Typhoon range gives us everything and more.”
For further information www.colchester.co.uk

New CEO at Anca

Dr Christopher Hegarty will be appointed CEO at tool and cutter grinder specialist Anca group from 1 July 2018, succeeding Grant Anderson.

After eight years in the role at Anca, Anderson will retire at the end of June. Hegarty joined the Anca group from Switzerland in July 2017 as the engineering manager of CNC machines, and more recently as general manager of that division. He has also worked at machine tool manufacturers in Europe and Australasia, including over 15 years as CEO or general manager in other organisations.
For further information www.anca.com

AMRC signs MoU with GKN Aerospace

The University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre and global aviation supplier GKN Aerospace have entered into a long-term partnership to work together on developing advanced technologies for the aerospace industry.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed to progress a series of research themes they are developing together at the AMRC’s Factory 2050. GKN Aerospace has been a member of the AMRC for a number of years and says the MoU not only reflects the strategic nature of the relationship between the two organisations, but the benefits it brings to both sides.
For further information www.amrc.co.uk

High attendance at open house

A record number of visitors attended Bystronic UK’s latest open house, held at its Coventry showroom concurrently with the MACH 2018 exhibition at the NEC last month.

The theme of the open house was ‘Mach Speed’, which involved visitors being asked to estimate the time required to manufacture a component for an off-road vehicle. Managing director David Larcombe says: “We believe the theme was not only interesting to visitors but also an eye-opener in terms of the productivity benefits that can be achieved with modern machine tools. During the event we sold a number of machines, notably a 10 kW 4020 fibre laser and two Xpert press brakes.”
For further information www.bystronic.co.uk

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