New factory opened by Soraluce

Soraluce has opened a new factory dedicated to the assembly of portal-type machining centres.

The factory, a short walk from the company’s existing plants in Spain’s Bergara region, has cost €9m and accommodates an assembly shop floor of 4900 sq m served by overhead cranes with capacities rated at up to 80 tonnes. These cranes are fed by the constituent machine parts manufactured by a range of suppliers and, crucially, by Soraluce factories that produce all critical machine components – including beds, bed ways and machining heads. The UK agent for Soraluce machines is Ward CNC.
For further information www.wardcnc.com

High-level fact-finding visit to MTC

The Coventry-based Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) has hosted a visit by top level officials from the US state of Michigan, all of whom were keen to learn about the MTC’s capabilities in advanced manufacturing.

Included among the group were senior representatives from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, along with manufacturing experts from the US Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation and the Advanced Propulsion Centre. The visitors were keen to learn about the MTC’s progress on light-weighting, in particular.
For further information www.the-mtc.org

Die clamping without permanent hydraulic supply

A self-locking wedge clamp for safely securing dies on power presses and injection moulding machines, without the need for a permanent hydraulic supply, has been introduced by Roemheld UK.

Designed for clamping dies with straight edges, the element applies spring force for retention. A pressure of up to 160 bar is sufficient for release, which can be provided by the machine hydraulics.
Inclined at 6°, the clamping bolt approaches the die edge from the side, resulting in a self-locking connection, following which a spring applies frictional force that can be maintained over long periods of time. Inductive and optical position control deliver enhanced operational safety.
The robust, compact wedge clamp is coated to inhibit rusting and can withstand harsh environments including dirt and temperatures up to 160°C for high functional safety, even in the most challenging production processes. Tolerance for clamping edge height is ±0.5 mm, with spacer plates compensating for any deviation. Cylinder diameters are between 35 and 85 mm, while operating force is from 25 to 120 kN, depending on unit size.
In the standard range, the availability of four hydraulic connection variants provides flexibility for different assembly configurations. Modified wedge clamps can be supplied to suit customers’ specific applications. Additional versions are available for clamping on angled die edges, with permanent lubrication or multi-layer coating to improve wear properties. All clamping elements comply with the Euromap directives.
For further information www.roemheld.co.uk

At the heart of manufacturing

Last week, specifically 15 April, holds a special place in the history of the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA), as it was on that date in 1919 that the association was founded and the first meeting of its members held.

28th February 2019, Park Plaza Hotel, MTA

To mark the centenary, members past and present have been contributing to a book ‘At the Heart of Manufacturing’, which charts the history of the association from inception to the present day.
The book is also a record of how much technology has changed over the past 100 years; some of the manufacturing techniques of then would be unrecognisable today. The book was carefully put together by looking through historical records and recounting recent years. Every member of the MTA has received a copy of the publication, which was launched at the MTA’s centenary dinner in February.
For further information www.mta.org.uk

Boring tool can perform four operations

The CoroBore BC (Boring Combination) range of solutions, which comprises Tailor Made tools for high-volume applications, is being released by Sandvik Coromant.

Internal machining cross section – Tailor Made – CoroBore BC

Using CoroBore BC it is possible to perform different operations such as semi-finishing and chamfering with a single tool. Manufacturers set to benefit include those serving the automotive, general engineering and construction equipment sectors.
According to Sandvik Coromant, CoroBore BC offers a quick and easy alternative when standard tools do not match up to specific requirements, but the cost and delivery time of a specially engineered solution are prohibitive. The process is fast as Sandvik Coromant personnel utilise an online program that automatically creates the tool and provides price and delivery information.
“The productivity advantages offered by CoroBore BC tools are based on eliminating unnecessary tool changes and reducing cycle times,” says Jenny Nilsson, global product manager at Sandvik Coromant. “Among the many strengths of the new solution is the capability to offer these benefits at much shorter notice, thanks to an automated design and quoting process. The Sandvik Coromant representative simply goes through the required operations with the customer, and enters the parameters via a web-based design interface. Once this is complete, the system instantly produces the tool design and quote.”
Thanks to the various CoroBore BC options offered, a range of multi-step boring applications can be performed. Indeed, customers can choose from up to four machining operations in a single tool (a maximum of two cutting edges per operation). Cutting diameters range from 20 to 200 mm, while tool length can be up to 400 mm, depending on coupling size.
For further information www.sandvik.coromant.com