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

Tornos secures orders at MACH 2018

MACH 2018, held at the Birmingham NEC last month, got off to a flier for Tornos with two verbal orders for the Swiss GT26 from day one being signed and confirmed on day two.

This was rapidly followed by an order for a CT20 with a number of additional enquiries turning into firm orders in the two weeks after the show.
With the SwissNano micro-turning solution and the robust GT32 on the stand, the diversity of turning solutions certainly appealed to show visitors. This was indicative of the orders received, with the heavy duty GT26 being chosen by a medical specialist for its ergonomic and modular configuration on a robust platform. The GT range also allows B-axis machining and the option of simultaneous five-axis machining. According to Tornos, the smaller, second-generation CT20 turning centre was selected for its ability to work with or without a guide bush, while offering more tools in counter spindle operations and the ability to run with a choice of mineral or soluble oil. Selected by a medical and scientific subcontractor, the CT20 has undoubtedly been a machine of interest since its launch.
The SwissNano machine that appeared on the stand is said to be unlike any other machine in the marketplace, and its ability to offer precision machining of turned parts below 4 mm impressed a number of MACH visitors.
Commenting upon the show, UK account manager David Dunn, says: “Winning orders and picking up leads at the show really demonstrates why the show is a ‘must-attend’ event for the industry. The lead generation from MACH is extremely diverse, with interest from a complete spectrum of industry sectors, geographical locations and application requirements.”
For further information www.tornos.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

Heptron going global with renewable energy systems

Heptron Manufacturing, a specialist in innovative flywheel-based energy storage systems, is looking to license its patented technology around the world, a move that had led to new investment in machine tools.

“We initially put machining out to subcontract, but as things developed, we were constantly facing delays in production, so the decision was taken to invest in our own machining capacity,” says managing director Gary Murphy. “An ex-colleague of ours is a service engineer with XYZ Machine Tools, so we talked to him and then got the area sales manager in for a chat. He sat us down, looked at what we needed and suggested a solution, the result being the arrival of an SLX 1630 ProTurn lathe and an XYZ 1000LR vertical machining centre.”
XYZ says that the SLX 1630 ProTurn lathe is proving a popular choice for those companies making the transition from manual to CNC turning. The machine makes use of the latest ProtoTrak SLX control system that ensures even one-off and small batches are produced with high efficiency.
The simplicity of the conversational programming means that even those with limited or no CNC experience can be producing complex components in a matter of hours of the machine being installed, says the company. Regarding the specification of the SLX 1630, a 400 mm swing over bed, 760 mm between centre distance and 54 mm spindle bore is combined with a 5.75 kW spindle offering a speed range of 150-2500 rpm, to create a versatile package for prototype and small batch production.
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

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