Big ideas

Extending its range of larger capacity machines, Ward CNC of Sheffield has announced a 5-axis, rigid spindle CNC boring centre from Hyundai-Kia as the UK's exclusive distributor. The new machine – the KBN 135 – provides strokes of 3,000mm in X, 2,000mm in Y, 1,600mm in Z and 700mm in W axes, and its 2,000mm by 1,800mm NC rotary B axis table can support components weighing up to 10 tonnes.

High rigidity was at the centre of the specification for the Hyundai-Kia KBN 135 which features closed loop linear scales in X, Y and Z as well as a high accuracy rotary encoder for the B axis table. For 90º direct indexing, a shot pin is engaged to maximise stability under cut, especially when utilising the machine's drilling or milling off centre capabilities.

Drive to the 22kW, NT50 spindle – which is 135mm diameter – is via a four step geared head enabling full advantage to be taken of the high torque level being developed over the 67-2,000rpm speed range. Spindle cooling is part of the standard specification.

Maximum rigidity as a stable machining platform is derived from the single structure main bed which is complemented with six supports under the saddle. To ensure optimum rigidity when the spindle quill is extended up to its 700mm maximum stroke, it is clamped once positioned in the W axis.

Rapid traverse rates are 8m/minute in each axis and the B axis table is able to rotate at up to 0.8rpm. It also has 0.001° indexing under control of the Fanuc 16i-M 5-axis simultaneous unit with its 10.4 inch LCD screen mounted on a 90° swivelling panel. A separate pendant operating panel is included with manual pulse generator to aid setting. Helical interpolation and tool life management are standard, and options allow the memory to be extended.

As standard, a 40 tool magazine is included with further options for 60 or 90 tool positions. Tools up to 130mm diameter by 600mm long and weighing up to 20kg can be carried, however, tools up to 250mm diameter can be used by leaving adjacent pockets empty. There is a further option to specify an increased tool weight capability to 30kg.

Flood coolant is included but higher pressure 15 bar through coolant feed can be requested, along with facing and angle head units.

Also making effective use of Ward CNC's extensive range of large machine tools is Sheffield-based subcontractor, Barker Collins. The company has expanded its large capacity CNC milling capability with the installation of a Soraluce FL-8000 travelling column, floor type milling centre to reinforce its position as a mainline supplier of workpieces for blue chip customers in industry sectors such as oil and gas, power generation, earth moving, nuclear, defence, transport, minerals and mining, as well as excavation and construction. The new machine complements a formidable portfolio of Asquith Butler, Correa and Marufuku CNC milling centres as well as CNC horizontal borers from Doosan, Giddings & Lewis, Kuraki and Sacem.
Indeed, Barker Collins claims to host the UK's largest installed base of Doosan borers in Europe with two DB130C and three DB130CX models having X, Y, Z and W axis travels of 3,000mm x 2,000mm x 1,600mm x 700mm, respectively.

All feature Renishaw RMP60 probing for workpiece identification and datuming, program selection, inspection and generation of inspection reports to integrate with the measuring routines from the DEA CMM which has X, Y and Z axes capacities of 3,000mm by 1,200mm by 1,000mm.

According to managing director Chris Carter, the Soraluce's floor plate working surface area of 8,000mm by 1,500mm and X, Y and Z axes of 7,500mm x 1,400mm x 1,000 mm, as well as a machining head capable of 1,000° positioning/movement, will comfortably accommodate the extra long components such as whipstocks required by customers involved in offshore drilling.

These complement its established supply of oil and gas sector components like stabilisers, cans and reamers, pipeline tooling, pumps and valves and seabed fastening systems.
The continual investment strategy at the £4 million turnover operation in Chapeltown with over £5.5 million being spent during the past five years, reflects the company's ethos of ‘excellence through innovation' to underpin its consistent supply of quality workpieces.

Mr Carter adds: “We've never professed to be, or wanted to be, the biggest subcontractor in South Yorkshire, but we strive to continue to be the best. That's why we continually invest.”

Ward CNC
www.wardcnc.com Barker Collins
www.barkercollins.co.uk