Machining

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Machine Tool has developed the micro V5 micro milling machine, the latest in its micro V series. The micro V5 has a bigger working surface table and wider process stroke than the current micro V1, allowing for high-efficiency machining with micrometre-level (1/1,000 mm) precision for large products or those that require fine milling using small diameter tools, such as molds for car optical components.

Acquiring two automated pivoting-bow bandsaws from Kasto, a UK provider of light engineering components, Stourbridge-based Tasman Industries, saw the most recent one delivered in December 2016. They have transformed the efficiency with which the firm cuts bar material in a vast array of metal types and sizes into large batches of up to several thousands. For smaller runs, say 50-off, it relies partly on a similar, semi-automatic saw installed earlier last year by the same supplier.

  A new CNC compact plasma cutting table has been launched by Swift-Cut Automation. Named ‘Swifty’, the table has been designed and priced to open up a world of possibilities to artists, educators and small workshops.

An updated version of Brother’s Speedio M140X1 5-axis, 30-taper mill-turn centre has been introduced. The Speedio M140X2, the machine was launched at Jimtof 2016 last November and is available in the UK and Ireland through sole agent, Whitehouse Machine Tools.

Expanding its OneMount line to include a model designed for small hoppers, tank weighing systems and bagging machines, the Hardy Process Solutions model also suits other dynamic low capacity applications such as checkweighing and conveyor scales.

Visitors and users of 3-axis machining centres at Southern Manufacturing this year will find the 1st Machine Tool Accessories stand hosting Kitagawa rotary table options. They are capable of raising versatility of production, reducing the number of separate machining operations and increasing the complexity of parts that can be produced.

Now available in a new high-performance version for small jobs such as, internal grooving, chamfering, threading, broaching, facing and parting-off exotic alloys and steels, is the 105 Supermini system manufactured by Horn, which includes those that are structurally inhomogeneous. User benefits include improved productivity and significantly increased tool life.

Offering an effective solution for the special challenges in fineblanking production is the reinforced model of the XFT 2500speed press from Feintool, as it sets a new standard. This model is equipped with stronger knuckle joints. This increases the press force at the tip to 3000kN (time-limited). 

A Sahos Dynamic bridge-type machining centre with a five metre X-axis has been installed by Lentus Composites, for machining pattern board, aluminium mould tools and components made from composite materials. Built in the Czech Republic by Blue Ray, the 5-axis machine was delivered and commissioned in March 2016 by sole UK agent, Asquith Butler.

Amada Miyachi America has announced that its Series 300 electronic weld head offers the precisely controlled weld force profile suitable for miniature parts welding. Originally released more than twenty years ago, there are more than 1000 Series 300 electronic weld heads in use all over the world, with more than half going into operation in the last decade.