Gantry robots installed at axle plant

The Kingswinford facility of axle manufacturing specialist MTI Welding Technologies has installed gantry robots from Güdel to help boost production.

MTI’s new gantry robots can be found at the heart of an automated cell used to friction-weld axle sub-assemblies destined for articulated trailers. The production cell integrates MTI’s double-head friction-welding technology with two Güdel gantry robots (ZP5 and FP3 models), a machine vision system and a series of product conveying/handling systems. Güdel UK also integrated the Siemens control with the robots.
For further information www.gudel.com

HRH Prince of Wales honours Mazak

Yamazaki Mazak has been awarded Employer of the Year at the 2018 Industrial Cadets Awards, beating the likes of Airbus, the RAF and Tata Consultancy Services to the accolade. Held at the Kelvin Lecture Theatre at the IET’s Savoy Place in London last month, the awards were presented by HRH The Prince of Wales and celebrate both the achievements of young people who have completed their nationally accredited work-based experience programmes, as well as the vital input, support and efforts of businesses, employers and education organisations.

One of just two accolades open to employers, the Employer of the Year award recognises companies that have demonstrated outstanding engagement with young people and the Industrial Cadets initiative, as well as illustrating best practice in employer engagement on the work experience STEM agenda.
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk

Gearing up for Subcon 2018 exhibition

Subcon 2108, now in its 42nd year, returns to the NEC in Birmingham on 5-7 June. The 2018 event will see a range of new pavilions highlighting industry-specific solutions for the metal, transport, materials, automotive, aerospace and energy sectors. Of the 400 suppliers that exhibited in 2017, more than a third have already confirmed for this year.
A six-stream, 36-session conference programme will be held across two theatres. Confirmed speakers include: Paul Stein, CTO of Rolls-Royce; Henry White, BAE Systems/UK Sport technical lead; and Dr Lina Huertas, head of technology for digital strategy at the MTC.

Topics will include: the latest smart factory developments; real world applications of the IoT; and sensing, measurement and process control. Elsewhere, expert panels will explore the potential of sustainable and additive manufacturing, as well as showcasing industry case studies in cross-sector collaboration and open innovation.
For further information www.subconshow.co.uk

Achieving success in the tap market

Thai manufacturer SK Precision, which is building on its capabilities to be the country’s first domestic supplier of taps, has invested in a TapX Linear grinding machine from Anca. Tibordee Srikul, president of the 50-employee company, says: “We saw an opportunity in the tap-grinding segment, as until now, companies could only source taps from overseas, which meant longer lead times and higher costs.

“I didn’t want to be restricted to producing only one type of tap and, after extensive market research, we decided to invest in the TapX because of its flexibility,” he adds. “Our investment in capabilities, both in technology and experience, means we can now produce special and standard taps locally. But this is only the beginning, in the future I want to produce spiral taps, point taps,
hand taps and forming taps.”
For further information www.anca.com

Torque, speed and angle measurement

HBM Test and Measurement (HBM) has introduced its T21WN torque transducer. Based on strain-gauge technology, the T21WN uses contactless energy and measurement signal transmission to take measurements. The torque transducer enables the static and dynamic measurement of torque, rotational speed and angle of rotation to be performed on non-rotating as well as rotating components. HBM says that laboratory, test shop and testing applications will benefit, as well as performing production and process monitoring, and quality assurance.
Apart from the torque output signal of ±10 V at nominal (rated) torque, the transducer also provides a standard frequency output signal of 10 kHz ±5 kHz.

The T21WN torque transducer is available with nominal (rated) torques ranging between 0.1 and 200 Nm, while the maximum permissible rotational speed of the torque measuring system is up to 20,000 rpm, depending on the measurement range. An integrated rotational speed/angle of rotation measuring system with 360 pulses per revolution completes the transducer and can be used up to the specified maximum nominal (rated) rotational speed without restrictions.
HBM’s new torque transducer is supplied with a direct voltage of 24 V that is common in test benches. The T21WN is suitable for use in substantially more dynamic applications than the preceding model, the T20WN, thanks to its measurement bandwidth of 1 kHz. In addition, users benefit from a significantly broader range of functions than with
the preceding model – at the same price.
For further information www.hbm.com