Vision imaging
Faro UK, the test and measurement specialist, will be demonstrating how the company’s advanced range of portable 3D measurement equipment can save time and improve companies’ quality throughout the event.
Faro will be exhibiting a range of cutting-edge metrology products, including the Faro Laser ScanArm, with the lightest laser line probe for non-contact measurements and the Faro Laser Tracker for large volume measurements.
A relatively new addition to the company’s range is the advanced Array Imager – a metrology grade non-contact scanner which utilises blue light technology to capture millions of high resolution 3D coordinate measurements in seconds. The smart sensor allows new multi-imager array configurations enabling industrial manufacturers to significantly improve productivity and operations in a way never possible before.
Faro develops and markets computer-aided measurement and imaging devices and software. Technology from the company permits high precision 3D measurement, imaging and comparison of parts and complex structures within production and quality assurance processes.
Faro UK
www.faro.com/home
Stand O60
Multiple material machining
Cutting tool specialist WNT UK will highlight its extensive selection of cutters designed specifically for aerospace applications as well as the high level of technical support it can provide.
The WNT range for the aerospace sector covers the machining of all materials from light alloys, through heat resistant super alloys to composites, with multiple choices available to suit every machining application. That selection process can be simplified by working alongside WNT’s team of technical sales engineers and the recently formed applications sales team, which can work on specific projects with customers to maximise productivity.
The WTX–Ti range of solid carbide drills offers some distinct advantages when drilling heat resistant super alloys used in aerospace applications thanks to a geometry that overcomes the specific issues surrounding these materials aided by its optimised web thinning that creates much shorter swarf.
The drill point also has an active centre cutting feature that provides greater centring accuracy as the drill enters the workpiece. These features combined with a stable core maximises feed rates and also generate increased process security and reduced cutting forces. WNT’s HPC-Ti solid carbide endmills deliver reduced cycle times and improved tool life when machining titanium and other alloys, with cutting data increased by as much as 75% in some instances along with extended tool life, in some cases up to ten times that of existing cutters.
Solid carbide and PCD cutters for composite materials are also well established within the WNT range with cutters available with, for example, right hand tools with left as well as right hand helix flutes. These help to overcome the inherent problems found when machining honeycomb-style composites where the tool needs to push and pull at the same time to avoid damaging to the upper and lower layers of the composite material.
Also part of the WNT range is a number of indexable insert milling systems that are ideal for high volume metal removal in light alloys as well as for the machining of more exotic materials.
The HSV22 range of high speed indexable insert milling cutters is ideal for face milling non-ferrous materials. Available as an A style or, monoblock M style cutter with an HSK 63A spindle interface, the cutter bodies have a deeply dished face allowing up to 9mm of plunge to be facilitated into the face of a component.
They are also capable of ramping at up to 42° and circular milling into solid from 20mm up to 250mm diameter, dependent on cutter diameter. Inserts can be carbide or PCD. The bodies are also precision balanced, allowing cutting speeds up to 24,000rpm with feed rates of up to 0.6mm/tooth aided by the through tool coolant/air blast that is standard on all cutter bodies.
For exotic heat resistant and titanium alloy materials the WNT A2740 face mill range is ideal, according to the company. The benefit of these cutters is their ability to perform on machines with low power outputs as their design requires only 25% spindle power than conventional face mills. The cutters use inserts with up to eight useable edges, and are coated with WNT’s latest Dragonskin coating, which further aids the reduction of manufacturing costs.
WNT
www.wnt.com/uk
Stand N22
A spectrum of technology
At Advanced Engineering XYZ will have a selection of machine tools on display that include its popular ProtoTRAK controlled lathes and mills, the innovative XYZ 2-OP portable vertical machining centre, the Siemens controlled XYZ CT52 turning centre and XYZ 710 VMC vertical machining centre.
The machines which will be exhibited with the ProtoTRAK control system are the XYZ SMX 3500 bed mill, XYZ SLX 355 lathe and the XYZ 2-OP vertical machining centre. ProtoTRAK is a highly versatile control system able to produce complex components, programmed in a short space of time, without years of experience.
Its intuitive conversational interface makes programming shapes and forms in either two or three axes straightforward. The speed at which it can be programmed makes a ProtoTRAK controlled machine ideal for one-off and prototype work, as well as ongoing small to medium size batch production. Beyond the control the XYZ bed mill and SLX lathe ranges provide a robust machining platform with solid Meehanite cast bases, Turcite-B coated bedways on the mills, and extra wide vee and flat bedways on the SLX lathes.
The XYZ 2-OP is a machining centre that has been designed to allow cellular manufacturing to take place anywhere in the factory thanks to its compact construction that allows the machine to be located wherever it is needed.
The advantage of using the XYZ 2-OP for cellular manufacturing includes reduced cycle times, improved workflow, maximising available labour resources and freeing up more expensive machine tools from menial tasks such as pre-op, or second op work. In spite of its portability the XYZ 2-OP has significant capability with axis travels of 355mm x 305mm x 455mm (X, Y, Z), a table size of 457mm by 381mm, maximum table load of 250kg, and rapid traverse of 15m/minute in all axes. Performance is enhanced by the use of a 3hp (50 – 6,000rpm) BT30 spindle that is supported by an eight position toolchanger. All of this sits within a footprint of just 1,220mm by 760mm.
For those looking at higher productivity machines, XYZ will also display an XYZ 710 VMC vertical machining centre and an XYZ Compact Turn 52 turning centre.
Across the XYZ VMC range there is a common feature of high quality manufacture, with features such as extra wide induction hardened box slideways with Turcite-B coatings adding to rigidity and performance.
The Compact Turn 52 is the smallest turning centre in the range of CNC turning available from XYZ with a footprint of just 1,700mm by 1,450mm in its standard form. However, it still provides a powerful machining platform through its 5,000rpm, 20hp spindle and axis travels of 185mm and 325mm (X and Z), with rapid traverse rates of 20m/minute.
XYZ Machine Tools
www.xyzmachinetools.com
Stand C1
Quick jaw systems
In Hall 3 at the NEC Schunk will be highlighting its workholding solutions.
The German manufacturer has a variety of new and established product lines; with some toolholding and workholding products on offer as part of its trade-in promotion.
Firstly, there is the Rota-S Plus chuck. With an optimised wedge bar drive system, a jaw change time of less than 60 seconds and an improved lubricant system, the S Plus ensures a consistently high clamping force. Using the higher rotational and cutting speeds possible machinists can apply more efficient cutting strategies that shorten manufacturing time.
The quick-change jaw system has an optimised drive that allows fast, comfortable and repeat accurate jaw changes. The company offers the lathe chuck with a manually actuated expansion arbor that can be quickly retrofitted. The manual chuck is available in sizes 165, 200, 250 and 315mm. As part of a workholding range that has been proven more than 50,000 times worldwide, the Rota-S Plus will be among a large array of products that the Schunk team will be demonstrating.
From the toolholding stable, Schunk will be emphasising the benefits of its Tendo E compact hydraulic expansion toolholder. Capable of reducing set-up times by up to 80% whilst generating 2000Nm of torque, the Tendo E compact delivers micron precision for a host of machining applications.
With this precision toolholder, even demanding applications with tight tolerances on the form, position and surface finish of a workpiece can be rapidly and reliably machined. It demonstrates a tool life extension of 300% and tool changeovers in seconds. The Tendo E is part of the trade-in offer, so show visitors are advised to call Schunk for details before the show.
One product that has proven popular since its launch are the new BSWS-MPG-plus standardised finger blanks that feature an integrated quick-change jaw system that shortens the time for a jaw change in small parts grippers. The BSWS-MPG-Plus reduces jaw changes in grippers to less than 30 seconds.
Compared with a conventional jaw change, the MPG-plus system is said to reduce the set-up times by up to 90%. An easily accessible form-fit locking mechanism ensures finger change with a repeat accuracy that can be achieved within seconds by a 90° turn of an Allen key.
Schunk
www.gb.SCHUNK.com
Stand E42
Fifty years of gears
The Mini Gears Group will be celebrating 50 years of manufacturing. The company recently achieved AS9100C certification for the manufacture and supply of all types of precision gears and machined parts.
Attaining this quality management standard was an important step as Mini Gears’ business has significantly increased in the aircraft seating market. The company has also strengthened the engineering team over the last two years and recently appointed David Jobe, skilled in lean manufacturing techniques, as production director.
With more than 100 machines at its 35,000ft² subcontract manufacturing facility in Stockport, Mini Gears supplies to a wide range of industries including aircraft seating, power transmission, oil, gas and petrochemical, medical, motorsport and nuclear.
Mini Gears
www.minigears.co.uk
Stand N21
Air spindles with speed
Rainford Precision will be bringing new ideas and solutions in cutting tool technology to the Advanced Engineering show, while specifically focusing on aerospace and composite materials.
For machining centre operations Rainford Precision can now offer Air Turbine Spindles with spindle speeds varying from 25,000 to 90,000rpm and a variety of different shanks available including cylindrical, BT, CAT and HSK. Being air driven, the spindles can easily be integrated into an automatic tool change system allowing the customer a wide scope of when and how the spindles are used. Importantly the air driven spindle offers constant power and no drop off in spindle speed.
Complementing the machining centre spindles are handheld units for deburring and polishing as well as spindles for automation systems (robotics) and lathes. Visitors will be able to check the noise volume level, which are always a popular question as well as the impressive lack of vibration in the handheld units.
Rainford will also be demonstrating a range of diamond tools from 0.5mm diameter for drills and endmills. These tools have been used by a number of composite watch manufacturers for some years. It is also introducing material specific Expert tooling brochures for titanium, stainless steel and aluminium from the Swiss supplier Louis Belet. The cutting tools offered in the brochures have had their geometries refined over the years of experience supplying high volume precision industries in Switzerland.
Rainford Precision
www.rainfordprecision.com
Stand L1
Cyber tools for industry
The Industrial Tooling Corporation (ITC) has a long history in developing tools for the aerospace sector; supplying PCD and diamond coated development tools for some of the UK's largest aerospace programs.
On its stand ITC will be emphasising the success of PCD end mills such as the 2111 Cyber series. Alongside the 2111 series will be the 2151 Cyber series of square end cutters with the option of numerous corner radius geometries and the 2071 Cyber series of solid carbide diamond coated tools. Available in diameters from 6 to 12mm with corner radii from 0.2mm to 3mm, the two flute tools are also offered with a four flute option.
For processing CFRP structures, ITC will have its cross cut diamond coated routers on show. Like all ITC tools, the 9001 Cyber series range is manufactured in the UK and available off-the-shelf in diameters from 3 to 12mm.
The Tamworth-based manufacturer is also running a parallel promotion on the Big Kaiser toolholding range. The show offer gives show visitors the opportunity to try the Big Plus system with the Hi-Power Milling Chuck promotion. The Big Kaiser offer is backed by a money back guarantee if the product doesn't outperform the customer’s existing systems.
ITC
www.itc-ltd.co.uk
Stand M3
Into the blue
Machine tool specialist Asquith Butler will be featuring Czech built Sahos 5-axis machining centres designed for producing components from light materials such as aluminium, plastic and carbon fibre. The exhibitor is the sole agent for the machines in the UK and Ireland.
The entire machine range is currently being rebranded under the name Blue Ray. The Sahos/Blue Ray’s BRaL series of gantry-type, compact, 5-axis machining centres will be introduced at the trade show.
Another highlight of the Asquith Butler stand will be the smaller, high-speed BRaM 5-axis, gantry-type machining centre. Fully enclosed, it has rapid axis movements, with linear acceleration at 5m/s2 up to 80m/minute in X, Y and Z, with the theoretical possibility of raising the speed to 120m/minute.
Different sizes of machine can be specified, based on an X-axis of either 3,000 or 4,000mm, a Y-axis of 1,500 or 2,200mm and a choice of 800, 1200 and 1,600mm in Z.
Asquith Butler
www.asquithbutler.com
Stand N62
Software optimisation
Vericut version 8 from CGTech will be featured at the Advanced Engineering group of events at the NEC.
Vericut machine simulation detects collisions and near misses between all machine tool components such as axis slides, heads, turrets, rotary tables, spindles, tool changers, fixtures, workpieces, cutting tools, and other user-defined objects.
The software simulates all types of CNC machining, including drilling and trimming of composite parts, waterjet, riveting, robots, mill/turn and parallel kinematics. The software operates independently, but can also be integrated with leading CAM systems including Dassault Systemes Catia, Siemens PLM NX, Autodesk PowerMill and Vero EdgeCAM.
Version 8 features a new ribbon bar allowing the user to quickly select the required function. As the user moves from tab to tab, the bar dynamically updates to show the options available, grouped by the function they perform within Vericut.
“Vericut 8 is all about optimising our customers’ workflow to quickly access only the menu choices needed at the time,” explains Vericut’s product manager, Gene Cranata. “The ribbon bar helps users find the functionality they need quickly and with minimal mouse clicks.”
The ribbon bar is highly customisable, but to ease the transition for existing users, a ‘Vericut Classic’ setting organises all of the menus and options where users previously found them. Several other layout options are included and can be selected depending on the task at hand. Users can also create and save their own layouts as needed for different jobs.
The accuracy of the data input will directly affect the output so an accurate model of the cutting tool and holder is required for the effective and accurate simulation of the machining process. Leading cutting tool manufacturers, such as Sandvik, Kennametal and Iscar, now make 3D solid model data available and Vericut can read in this model data for use in the simulation process.
Vericut also interfaces with tool management systems such as TDM Systems, Zoller, and WinTool for access to databases storing cutting tool information. Pre-setting suppliers including Zoller and Speroni can also interface to the software, so tool offsets and exact dimensions can be applied to the simulation process.
The Vericut logger now displays messages and reports from many sources. In addition to errors, warnings, and other messages from the session, it also displays information from Auto-Diff and X-Caliper. The messages can be grouped, sorted, and displayed in a variety of ways depending on user preference.
A new ‘Toolpath Trace’ feature creates a wireframe of the motion path that can then be measured. No stock model needed to generate a path. Picking on a path in the wireframe automatically sets the simulation to the current line in the NC program.
Vericut simulates every machine tool brand, including DMG Mori, Mazak, Makino, Matsuura, Hermle, Chiron, Starrag, WFL, Okuma and more.
CGTech www.cgtech.co.uk Stand O61
Smart measurement
OGP UK will exhibit on stand K9 at Advanced Engineering showcasing the SmartScope CNC 200 multi-sensor measurement system, which will feature the (through-the-lens) TTL laser and touch probe.
These sensors will be used to demonstrate the CNC’s metrological capabilities and speed using a selection of both metal and plastic components through laser scanning and optical measurement.
The company will also be holding the first demonstration of its new Zone3 software which is used in conjunction with SmartScope systems, allowing users to acquire faster measurements, future-proof capabilities and ease-of-use.
The software incorporates full 3D CAD programming, interactive reporting with live data and graphs, multi-sensor auto-path creation and live kinematic model simulation of machine with DRF and GD&T animation. The software features also integrate the ability to operate SmartScope multisensory systems making it entirely sensor dependent, alongside its design to work with any combination of sensors and a faster routine thus fully maximising the use of its automatic repeatability generation.
OGP
www.ogpuk.com
Stand K9
