Mills majors on innovation and automation – MACH 2022

Tony Dale, Mills CNC CEO
Tony Dale, Mills CNC CEO

On the Mills stand, the largest at the show and under two key exhibition themes of innovation and automation, visitors will see a total of 16 machine tools, including seven new and innovative models, two advanced ‘SYNERGi’ automated manufacturing cells, three productivity-boosting cobots and new software solutions from the Training Academy.

“Being the first MACH show for four years we decided to push the boat out,” explains Tony Dale, Mills CNC’s CEO. “Over the last few years, with all the challenges and issues that have confronted, and are still confronting, component manufacturers, it’s become increasingly clear that improving manufacturing productivity and operational efficiencies are central to the continuing growth, competitiveness and success of all UK and Irish companies.

“Our stand at MACH 2022 recognises this fact and is why we have decided to focus on innovation and automation at the event: showcasing the best we have to offer from what will be a memorable, different and distinctively designed stand.”

The new BVM 5700 is making its UK debut at MACH 2022
The new BVM 5700 is making its UK debut at MACH 2022

Machine tools

Mills is showcasing a total of 16 machine tools (lathes and turning centres, machining centres and mill-turn machines) on its stand. These include seven new models that have only recently been introduced into the UK and Irish markets. Five of these machines are actually making their UK debuts at the show.

The seven new models comprise two turning centres, two mill-turn machines and three machining centres.

New turning centres

Two new turning centres will be showcased on the Mills stand.

A 10 inch chuck Lynx 2600SY: a compact, high-performance turning centre equipped with a Y-axis and sub-spindle which, for the purposes of the exhibition, is integrated with an advanced SYNERGi Premier automation system to create a highly-efficient and flexible automated manufacturing cell designed for the fast, accurate and continuous production of small precision parts.

A multi-tasking TT 1300SYYB: a twin-spindle/twin-turret turning centre with Y-axis capabilities on both its upper and lower turrets.

Both machines feature the latest FANUC Plus control with touchscreen iHMI.

New mill-turn machines

Mills CNC has a reputation in the market for the power, accuracy, reliability, and versatility of its SMX-branded mill-turn machines. This reputation is set to grow, and be reinforced, with the recent introduction of two new models – the SMX 2100ST and SMX 5100LB; both of which are being showcased on Mills’ stand.

Mills says the new, large-capacity SMX 5100LB mill-turn machine will be a big draw at the show
Mills says the new, large-capacity SMX 5100LB mill-turn machine will be a big draw at the show

The 8” chuck SMX 2100ST is multi-tasking machine with a 1,040mm maximum turning length, left and right opposing spindles (5,000rpm), a B-axis milling spindle, a Y-axis and a 12-station lower turret.

The large-capacity 21” chuck SMX 5100LB has a maximum turning length and turning diameter of 3,050mm and 830mm respectively, a left-hand spindle (37kW/1,500rpm), a servo-driven tailstock, a B-axis milling spindle, integrated thermal compensation, and, up to a 120-tool position ATC.

Both machines will appeal to manufacturers operating in and across many sectors and industries where accuracy, process reliability and the ability to machine complex parts quickly and economically is paramount.

New machining centres

The three new machining centres being showcased comprise the new SVM 4100, the BVM 5700 and the T-4000HS.

The SVM 4100 is a high-productivity vertical machining centre designed for fast and accurate machining of aluminium alloys and lightweight steel components. The machine features fast acceleration/deceleration rates, tool change times and rapids, helping component manufacturers reduce non-cutting times and part cycle times.

The BVM 5700 is a premium machining centre that, owing to its rigid design and build, delivers ultra-high accuracy, reliability, flexibility and excellent machining performance characteristics.

A rigid, thermally stable construction ensures that thermal deformation is minimised and, as a result, high accuracies can be achieved irrespective of the materials being machined or the machining process parameters employed.

The T-4000HS is a high-speed machining centre with 48m/minute rapids, a 11kW/24,000rpm spindle and a 21-tool position ATC. The machine, with its rigid design and build, is ideal for rigid tapping and drilling operations and, at MACH 2022, has been integrated with a SYNERGi Sprint automation system to create an automated high-speed manufacturing cell.

Other machines on show

The other nine machines on Mills’ stand include models from the company’s best-selling ranges. These include: machines from the FANUC, Siemens and Heidenhain-controlled DNM (4500, 5700, 6700) vertical machining centre series; lathes from the Puma range including the large-capacity and powerful Puma 5100LMB lathe and the ever-popular Puma 2600SY II – a Y-axis and sub-spindle multi-tasking turning centre; and the DVF 5000 5-axis machining centre, which, for the purposes of MACH 2022, is being showcased with an integrated AWC (Automatic Workpiece Changer) that further increases the machine’s productivity and appeal.

Tony Dale adds: “It’s an impressive machine tool line-up. Many machines on show are high-productivity multi-axis and multi-tasking machines and through the addition and integration of advanced automation systems  such as pallet changers, industrial robot solutions, and collaborative robots, these machines’ already high-performance credentials are dramatically improved and increased.”

Automation systems

As mentioned previously automation systems and solutions feature prominently on Mills’ stand at MACH 2022.

SYNERGi Premier automated manufacturing cell – one of two systems being showcased on the stand
SYNERGi Premier automated manufacturing cell – one of two systems being showcased on the stand

SYNERGi Premier and SYNERGi Sprint systems are being exhibited on Mills’ stand where they have been integrated with a Lynx 2600SY lathe and a T-4000HS high-speed machining centre, respectively.

SYNERGi systems, comprising industrial robots, a range of different end-effectors, innovative part load/unload systems, laser floor scanning technology, industrial guarding and 17 inch touchscreen HMIs, powered by Mills’ own proprietary SYNERGi software, represent a state-of-the-art, ‘Factory-of-the Future’ automation solutions.

In terms of Doosan’s collaborative robots, there are three different cobot series’ (A, M and H) in the Doosan Robotics range and a total of five cobots are being showcased on Mills’ stand.

Performing routine machine tool tending tasks or being integrated with vision systems to realise their inspection and measurement application potential, all three cobots will demonstrate their ease-of-use and ease of deployment, versatility, safety, and productivity.

Five Doosan cobots performing a range of tasks will be exhibited
Five Doosan cobots performing a range of tasks will be exhibited

Training Academy

The Training Academy, exhibiting its products and services from Mills’ stand, will promote its range of introductory and advanced FANUC, Siemens and Heidenhain operator and programmer CNC training courses at MACH and will also promote through interactive presentations, the significant productivity and performance gains manufacturers can expect from investing in BobCAD-CAM software.

CNC training is just one aspect of Mills’ renowned pre- and aftersales service and support resources being showcased at MACH, the others being finance and funding options available (via Mills CNC Finance), and the many different, sophisticated and value-adding machine tool and automation systems service, servicing and parts operations located at Mills’ Campus facility in Leamington.

Mills CNC
www.millscnc.co.uk
Hall 19, Stand 100

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