The first 5-axis Doosan machining centre, from Mills CNC, is due to hit UK shores in February next year.

The new, compact, travelling-column, vertical spindle VC630/5AX is, says Nick Frampton, Mills CNC's managing director: "Destined to be a huge success".


The VC630/5AX is a versatile 5-axis machine and has been designed for a diverse range of applications. From heavy-duty machining of difficult and hard-to-machine materials, like titanium and inconel, through to high speed cutting of aluminium, the VC630/5AX is said to offer high accuracy machining, heavy metal removal and fine finishing operations...and seemingly everything in-between, it is reported.

As such, the machine is forecast by Mills CNC to be a big hit with manufacturers machining high precision, complex parts for the aerospace, defence, motorsport, medical and mould tool and die sectors.

Working capacity is 650 by 765 by 520 mm in X, Y and Z, respectively.

Concludes Mr Frampton: "The VC630/5AX will be available to customers from February 2010. Similar to other Doosan multi-axis machines we've launched into the UK and Irish markets over recent years - like our MX-series of Mill-Turn Centres - we're extremely confident about the success of this new 5-axis machine - and we're already taking enquiries for the VC630/5AX some 3 months before its availability.

"For precision manufacturers looking to increase their productivity by being able to machine complex parts in fewer set-ups (often in one-hit), the new VC630/5AX will be hard to beat...on price...and on performance."
http://www.machinery.co.uk/article/20635/First-Doosan-5-axis-machining-centre-coming-soon.aspx

Homemade gear clock another example of fun with CNC machines

Sure to drive the makers, steampunks, and hobby horologists wild, this homemade gear clock by Alan Parekh looks like a moderately simple piece to create. If, of course, you are in possession of a CNC machine (ouch, pricey) and a PIC 16f628A microcontroller (ah, cheap).

An uncomplicated display, the clock uses two buttons to align the precise time, kept for months by a crystal oscillator of the PIC 16f628A microcontroller. The gears were cut from fiberwood with that fabulously useful CNC Router, then spray painted an attractive steel grey. Parekh created four gears for the project: the minute, intermediate, and hour gears, each with 72 teeth, and the 9 tooth motor gear. On the movement of the motor gear, and on the motor itself, Parekh has this to say:

To achieve the correct timing the 9 tooth motor gear is advanced 4 steps every 9 seconds. By moving 4 steps at a time the motor routines can be simple since the motor is always at rest with the same coil energized.The motor is a bipolar stepper motor that has been harvested from an old 5 1/4 inch floppy drive. This is the motor that used to move the read write heads back and forth, to get one of this size and power you’ll need to find a nice old one. Modern floppy drives don’t have steppers with this level of torque.

Though the original intention of the piece was to make it look like metal that had been left to rust, Parekh can rest assured that his clock still looks great. A more detailed explanation is in the video above, and if you want to get really thorough, Alan Parekh’s project site makes for an interesting, DIY-inspiring read.

http://www.geek.com/articles/gadgets/homemade-gear-clock-another-example-of-fun-with-cnc-machines-20091023/

Machine tool makers de-risk their business

They also expect a recovery during the last quarter of 2009-10, following the late revival of the monsoon.

The economic downturn of the past 12 months has taught Indian industry many lessons in its quest to become competitive, cut costs and stay alive in the market. Some sectors have had to change the very way they do business. The machine tool sector, considered the mother of all industries, has learned a lesson in how to de-risk itself.

The biggest lesson the industry learnt was the danger of over-dependence on any single market segment. Until a year ago the machine tool industry was heavily dependent on automobile and auto components manufacturers for orders. Today, because of the downturn, which badly hit the automobile sector, machine tool manufacturers have reduced their dependence on this sector and turned to other customer segments.

Says Shailesh Sheth, former president of the Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association (IMTMA) and an industry expert: “In the last one year, machine tool makers have started reducing their excessive dependence on the automobile and components sector and have turned towards the power sector, large government contracts and public sector enterprises for orders. There is a huge demand from PSEs like BHEL, BEML, BEL and Indian Railways, among others. There is no drop in spending by these PSEs.”

Other key trends resulting from the downturn, Sheth points out, are cost cutting and right-sizing of manpower levels. This has helped companies reduce product prices and increase competitiveness, even though margins are under pressure. However, machine tool units, mostly run by technocrat-entrepreneurs, are not bleeding heavily yet, and Sheth believes that there is no scope yet for consolidation in the industry.

After chalking up a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 25 per cent over the last few years, the Indian machine tool sector’s total production (CNC and non-CNC machines put together) declined by 35 per cent to Rs 1,235 crore in 2008-09, compared to the previous year. This was mainly due to the decline in the automobile industry, which contributes around 70 per cent of the sector’s orders. The production of CNC machines fell by 44 per cent to Rs 713 crore in 2008-09, while the output of non-CNC machines dropped by 18 per cent to Rs 521.4 crore.

The slowdown was at its worst in the fourth quarter of 2008-09, during which the output of CNC and non-CNC machines dropped by 49 per cent to Rs 365 crore. The consumption of machine tools in 2008-09 declined by 24 per cent to Rs 6,542.8 crore compared to the preceding year. Indian industry, which is still largely dependent on imports for bigger and more sophisticated machines, also witnessed a fall in imports of machine tools to Rs 5,478.4 crore, a decline of 20 per cent over 2007-08.

During the first quarter of the current fiscal year (April-June 2009), the industry registered a near 50 per cent drop in output to Rs 201 crore, compared to the corresponding year-ago quarter. “Normally, business is always dull in the first quarter of every year. This year, due to the prevailing sentiment, there were even fewer orders than usual. But we hope to arrest the trend of falling orders towards the end of the year,” says Srinivas Shirgurkar, managing director of Ace Designers, a Bangalore-based machine tool manufacturer.

The industry is deliberately making an effort to develop alternative avenues for growth. “It is starting to look at other areas like government contracts, aerospace and general engineering sectors in a big way. This will not only help them survive the downturn, but also secure contracts for the future,” says Mohanram, director of the technology division of IMTMA.

The sector, having begun adopting newer technologies and having also become cost effective, is now able to compete with imported machines, Mohanram notes. The industry is developing more multi-function, more accurate and more productive machines with high-end features. Companies like BFW, HMT, Jyoti CNC, Lokesh Machines, Lakshmi Machine Works, TAL and Premier have introduced machines based on new technology in recent months.

Shirgurkar says, “The first half of 2008-09 was very good, but subsequently the output dropped by 60 per cent in the second half of the year. From July this year, we have seen signs of improvement. Going by current indications, we may end 2009-10 with a drop of just 25 per cent over the last fiscal.”

But Shigurkar notes that the industry has seen some positive factors as well. Apart from trying to reduce its dependence on the automobile sector and widening the search for customers, machine tool makers, who were until now focusing on small machines, have started work on producing large machines.

Moreover, most companies have exhausted their piled-up inventories and are set to book new orders. The industry hopes for a revival during the last quarter of the current fiscal, following the late revival of the monsoon and the quicker growth in the automobile industry over the last two months. It reckons that sales will stop declining towards the end of the year and thereafter move into positive territory.

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/machine-tool-makers-de-risk-their-business/371688/

3D copier puts normal copy machines to shame

Copy machines have been a staple of offices for decades now, but they've always had one drawback: they only copy in 2D. And we live in a 3D world. What gives?

Well, the new ZPrinter 350 from Z Corporation solves that problem. For a mere $25,900, it'll use snap-in cartridges of material to create objects up to 8 x 10 x 8 inches in size. Sure, it'll take a while at .8 inches per hour vertically, but who are you to complain in the face of such innovation? Suck it, Xerox!http://dvice.com/archives/2009/10/3d-copier-puts.php

Austrian CNC machine tools specialist hits EMO

An Austrian machine tool manufacturer and reseller of DP Technology's ESPRIT CAM software has unveiled a new series of innovative machines, designed to "easily meet" any machining challenge.

The EMCO Group hosted a number of Technology Days at its base in Hallein, Austria, allowing visitors to get an "exclusive first glance" at the five new CNC machining systems that are to make an even bigger debut at EMO 2009, which is currently taking place in Milan, Italy.

According to the organisation, the technology on show includes the Hyperturn 45, Maxxmill 500, EMCOMAT E200, as well as the EMCOMAT FB-450 and -600 L.

The adaptation of EMCO Hyperturn machines will also be addressed, specifically for their 5-axis simultaneous machining, using offline programming systems to make parts while programmers "simultaneously plan, program and simulate the next production run".

Though it operates out of Austria, EMCO also has bases in Italy, the Czech Republic and Germany.
http://www.machinetooldirect.co.uk/machine-tool-news/Austrian-CNC-machine-tools-specialist-hits-EMO-200.asp

K+K moves to expand machining business

Bletchley-based subcontractor K+K Specialised Engineering has moved to new premises to accommodate extra XYZ CNC machine tools and allow for future growth.

Prototype electronics box milled from solid aluminium block by K+K Specialised Engineering

The company currently machines precision components for the automotive development, motorsport, microwave communications and mechanical handling industries, as well as making jigs and fixtures for UK-based metrology companies.

Commenting on the move K+K director Keith Pain explains: “We would not have done this if it did not make sound economic sense. Our problem, if you can call it that, was that we had become the favoured supplier to several businesses that had also flourished by being responsive to their customers. We were regularly being asked to produce small batches of components instead of just one-offs in extremely short timescales.”

The fact that, typically, there is a very high percentage of metal removal from the raw material is key to the solution that has been adopted by K+K.

“In this situation additional machining centres are able to increase the output without any increase in the workforce,” says Keith Pain.

A significant part of K+K’s recent investment involves two new compact vertical machining centres supplied by XYZ Machine Tools Ltd. These are installed alongside an identical XYZ Mini Mill 560 that K+K has operated for several years. During urgent batch production all three are typically machining similar components, with the cycles phased so that the operator can tend each machine in turn as required. In fact, there is often spare time during which the operator can progress jobs on one of the other, slightly less automated, mills.

The choice of two more XYZ Mini Mill 560s was not only because of the good value that made the economics viable but also the experience gained with the existing machining centre. “Our machine tools have progressed according to the needs of the work and drafting technology,” says Keith Pain. “When we started nearly all drawings were manual and most jobs were one-offs, so manual machines with digital readouts were all that was really necessary, and indeed all we could afford.

"When economic CNC machining arrived we were aware of the benefits, particularly in the case of small batch work, although we investigated several options before investing in a basic XYZ ProtoTRAK-equipped CNC/manual lathe and then a ProtoTRAK CNC/manual mill."

With ever more information arriving as CAD models, and the increase in repeat components, the Mini Mill 560 was the logical next step.

Ideally suited to the type of work and batch sizes typically undertaken by K+K, the concept behind the XYZ Mini Mill 560 is a compact VMC configuration capable of machining the widest possible range of components within the smallest possible machine footprint. A 560 mm (X) by 400 mm (Y) by 500 mm (Z) working envelope is contained within a 2000 mm (width) by 2060 mm (depth) footprint.

http://www.engineeringcapacity.com/archive101/2009/october/machined_components/kk_moves_to_expand_machining_business

Radio Transmission Touch Probes target CNC machine tools.

New Ultra-Compact Radio Transmission Touch Probes Bring Probing Benefits to a Wider Range of CNC Machine Tools

Renishaw adds to its market-leading range of probe and software products with new touch probe systems for machines, including lathes, where line-of-sight issues cause difficulties or optical signal transmission.

Renishaw is making waves with the introduction of new touch probe systems that use its unique frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) probe signal radio transmission technology to allow automated job set-up and in-process measurement on all sizes of CNC machine tools. The new ultra-compact RMP40 probe is especially suited to multi-axis and mill-turn applications, whilst its variant, the RLP40 touch probe, is specifically designed for more hostile turning environments. A transmission only module RMP40M is also being introduced.

Wide range of touch probes with radio transmission

These new products reinforce Renishaw's world leading range of probe systems and probing software, which bring a range of user benefits including reduced set-up times, reduced scrap, reduced fixture costs and improved process control. The range of radio-based inspection probes already includes the multi-award winning RMP60 touch probe, and the class-leading high accuracy RMP600 probe with Renishaw's patented Rengage(TM) 3D strain gauge technology.

Measuring just 40 mm in diameter and 50 mm long, the RMP40 probe system pairs the compactness of Renishaw's award-winning OMP40 optical transmission probe system with the robustness and versatility of Renishaw's unique FHSS radio transmission. This combination means that the RMP40 is suited for use on all sizes of machine tools, particularly multi-axis and mill-turn applications in which line-of-sight between the inspection probe and its interface cannot always be maintained.

Unique probe signal transmission system

The RMP40's FHSS radio transmission is the same unique yet tried-and-trusted system used by Renishaw's existing RMP60 and RMP600 probes in thousands of applications worldwide. It pairs with the standard Radio Machine Interface (RMI) and utilises the 2.4GHz frequency band, allowing it to be 'worldwide legal' so that machine tool builders and users can specify and operate the same types of probes wherever they are located. It also delivers unrivalled levels of robustness and flexibility through frequency diversity, whereby the probe and its interface continually hop from one transmission channel to another. This eliminates 'dead spots' within the working environment and allows the system to avoid radio interference, both of which are common problems for other fixed-channel and non-hopping radio transmission inspection probes.

Naturally the RMP40 touch probe incorporates Renishaw's patented Trigger Logic(TM) set-up and mode selection menus. This allows users to quickly and easily configure their probe systems to their own specific requirements, without tricky disassembly routines or changes to tiny switches.

New radio touch probe for CNC lathes

Sharing many features in common with the RMP40 touch probe, the RLP40 is a radio transmission inspection probe system for lathes, whilst the RMP40M is a radio transmission module that incorporates an industry-standard M16 adaptor for use with Renishaw's proven LP2 family of lathe probes.

Although it incorporates all of the key features and benefits of the RMP40, the RLP40 touch probe has been specially packaged to withstand the extreme environments more typical of lathes and turning centres. Like all Renishaw probes it is sealed to IPX8, but is further protected by a user-serviceable eyelid that prevents high velocity swarf and chips from causing damage.

The RMP40M module also gives all the benefits of the RMP40 system, allowing the flexibility of its FHSS radio transmission system to be applied to those situations in which the LP2 family of touch probes, adaptors and options are necessary.

Retrofit to existing machine tools

With a combined package of user-friendly operation, robustness, extreme flexibility and proven reliability, both the RMP40 and RLP40 probe systems are highly desirable and versatile additions to Renishaw's ever-growing family of inspection probes, and can be retrofitted to existing installations. Importantly for user confidence they are also backed by a trusted worldwide network of service, support and applications expertise.

Renishaw's range of tool setting probes, inspection probes and probe software caters for the complete cross-section of machine tool probing applications, from the setting of tools and workpieces through to process control and complex On-Machine Verification tasks, whether on simple milling machine or a complex multi-axis machine tool.

Find out further information about Renishaw's market-leading range of CNC machine tool probe systems and software.
http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/565177

Mills CNC orders exceed £14 million for the half-year

Mills CNC has announced that order intake for the first half of 2009 exceeded £14 million.Exclusive distributor of Doosan machine tools into the UK and Ireland, this achievement follows the company's best-ever first quarter results (January – March), when the company reported orders in excess of £7 million.

"The latest sales results show that, despite current economic conditions, the strength, popularity and value for money of the Doosan and Mills brands are second to none," said Nick Frampton, Mills CNC managing director.

"In the first 6 months of this year, we increased our market share across the board and, probably the most illuminating statistic we have to hand of this is that 33 per cent of all machine tool orders achieved during January to June were to new customers."

The managing director also highlighted that the company has carried over a record order book - £8 million - into the second half of the year.

Further analysis of the company's performance reveal that approaching two-thirds of all CNC lathes (chuck size 12" or above) sold in the UK in the first half of 2009 were Doosan lathes; and a quarter of machining centres (verticals and horizontals) sold during the same period were also Doosan machines – all supplied by Mills.

As far as the remainder of 2009 is concerned, and also looking forward to 2010 and beyond, there is confidence that the sales performance achieved to date can be replicated - and improved upon - in the months to come, it is said.

"New Doosan machines and models will be launched by Mills into the UK in the near future – and these will help us move into new markets and consolidate our strong position on others," Mr Frampton underlined.

'"These new machines include the new range of vertical machines with Heidenhain controls (available since July 09), and a new range of Doosan 5-axis machining centres, which will be available towards the end of the Year.

"We're confident that these new technology developments combined with the drive and commitment of our people will help Mills achieve even greater success in the future."
http://www.machinery.co.uk/article/19512/Mills-CNC-orders-exceed-14-million-for-the-half-year.aspx

CNC punch press performs bending too

Bystronic UK said that the Pullmax Pullmatic 520 FC CNC punch press can be used as a press brake, making it possible to finish complex parts in one set-up.

The Pullmax Pullmatic 520 FC CNC punch press can perform thread tapping and be turned into a press brake, making it possible to finish complex parts in one set-up The machine can also equipped with a materials handling system (FC) for the automatic loading and unloading of sheets for ‘lights out’ or unsupervised operation The Pullmatic 520 punching machine is a highly productive machine for sheet metal up to 8mm in thickness.

It is characterised by its speed, low noise, a quick and easy set-up, an efficient tooling concept and the latest Fanuc control system.

A fully programmable hydraulic stroke ensures maximised forming capacity and versatility, said Bystronic. A hydraulic head also generally offers a much faster performance on thin gauge material.

The machine has a working area that allows 2500 x 1250mm sheet to be worked without re-positioning.

Automatic re-positioning is included too.

The positioning speed is 100m/min in the X-axis and 80m/min in the Y-axis.

Bystronic told manufacturingtalk that real manipulation speed of the work piece is up to 128m/min.

The punching force is 220kN (22 tonf) and the hit rate is up to 1200 hits/min (marking).

The Pullmatic 520 axes accelerate rate is up to a maximum of 24m/s2.

* Tool change system - the machine features the Pullmax patented tool change system that has made the Pullmax machinery so flexible.

A rotating punch head makes all tools indexable at a speed of 80 rev/min.

The tool changer now features a 20 station magazine that holds tools all with a maximum size of 90mm diameter (previously the largest tool size available was 75mm).

The magazine ensures a high degree of flexibility, and, optimum use of the machine and the sheet format used.

Such tool sizes allow for longer slitting tools and reduced straight line and radius profiling production times.

In addition each multitool can have five or ten different tools up to 16mm diameter.

All tools in the multitool can also be programmed at any angle like the single tools.

In essence, up to 200 tools are available and indexable.

Tool changing times are exceptionally quick ranging from 1s to 5s and this has boosted productivity significantly, said Bystronic.

Pullmax’s vast experience in automated systems also features within the new range.

Access around the tooling system has been increased, allowing optimum use of part picking devices.

This height also allows forming with a maximum height of 75mm.

* Work handling - the Pullmax sheet loader is designed to provide maximum efficiency and operator safety.

The loader consists of a carriage with AC-servo control.

Standard features include: air-knife for sheet separation; corner lift cup to minimize double sheet pick-up and double sheet detection.

Through the CNC, the vacuum cup system also automatically switches cups on and off depending on blank size .

The unload system can handle punched nested parts and material skeletons in a reliable way, without any scratches or damages at the material.

There are grip positions where four material clamps grip the skeleton and pull it out on top of the brush covered jalousie table.

The skeleton will be released and lowered down on pallet systems or directly on skids.

The system allows for integration of automatic pallet changing, where punched nested parts and skeletons can be stored in to customised storage systems with unmanned production.

* CNC - the Fanuc windows based 160iBP control system has been specifically designed for sheet fabrication and features energy saving servo drives, fiber optics and a touch screen for user-friendly interfacing to the machine.

Other standard control features are, automatic tool management and job scheduling, ethernet network ready and integrated diagnostics.

http://www.cnc-machines.org/cnc-punch-press-performs-bending-too.html