news
Yamazaki Mazak’s Integrex ‘e’ 1060V multi-tasking machine tool (pictured) has been selected for a major Japanese technology award.
Japanese newspaper The Nikkan
Kogyo Shimbun selected the Integrex
‘e’ 1060V for the Minister of Economy,
Trade and Industry Grand Prize Award – the premier section in the nine awards categories.
This is the third major accolade for the machine which combines the true capability of a machining centre with that of a turning centre, re-defining the
‘done-in-one’ machining processes.
Since its launch, the Integrex ‘e’
1060V has also achieved the
Technology of the Year award by the
USA magazine Industry Week and at the Industrie 2002 exhibition in Paris last year it was awarded the
‘Excellence in Productivity’ trophy.
The 1060V is one of three vertical models in the Integrex ‘e’ series — a fourth is scheduled to be launched at the forthcoming EMO exhibition in
Milan, Italy.
“This is a significant international award,” said Dr Elmar Barz, general director of the Yamazaki Mazak
European Group.
“Since the launch of the ‘e’ series machines, there has been wide recognition of their technical superiority and the benefits they bring to the donein-one machining concept.”
Mori Seiki has unveiled two new machines utilising new ‘Driven at the
Centre of Gravity’ technology – NV4000
DCG and NH4000 DCG.
The factor preventing greater speed in machine tools is vibration, generated by pushing spindles, tables, and other moving components in places outside their centre of gravity, says managing director, development executive officer Dr Eng
Kazuyuki Hiramoto.
“Unfortunately, it is impossible to insert ballscrews right in the centre of gravity by design. To overcome this technical barrier, we came up with the answer of creating a virtual centre of gravity using two ballscrews,” he added.
“Development of these machines meant revamping our company structure,” said president and representative director, Masahiko Mori.
The NV4000 DCG is a 600 by 400 by
400 mm machine (x, y ,z) with rapid and feed figures of 42 m/min.
The NH4000 DCG is a
400 mm pallet unit with
560 by 560 by 630 mm travel (x, y, z) and rapid feedrates of 50 m/min.
Both are to be produced at the rate of
50/month from 1 October.
Following trials in Switzerland,
Citizen’s new R04 sliding-head lathe (see Machinery , 3 October, page 9) confirms its advantage over cam-driven machines.
For a watch pinion, the 3 /
16 in
(4 mm) capacity R04 delivered a cycle time of 19 secs versus a cam-driven machine’s 33.8 secs.
Even without altering speeds and feeds, the R04 delivered a 30 second cycle time.
In the case of a connector pin, the new machine demonstrated a cycle time of 16.5 secs versus a
22 secs cycle time for a camdriven machine.
UK agent is NC Engineering.
Solvents consultation
The Scottish Executive
Environment Group is consulting on the implementation of the
European ‘Solvents Directive’ in
Scotland. Users of ‘Trike’ and similar organic solvents should take note. Closing date is 28
November. Copies of the consultation are available at www.scotland.gov.uk/consultation s/environment/seco.pdf
.
Step-change seminars
Charmilles is launching a series of one-hour, monthly step-change seminars to help customer get more out of their EDM investment.
Launched this month, they focus on specific productivity and performance-related issues, and are aimed at precision engineers and tool and mould makers. The first four focus on cutting carbide,
PCD and ceramics; micromachining/twin-wire technology; high-speed wire-cut EDM; reducing die-sink set-up and cutting times. Call 01789 298 300.
Laser arc welding
Laser arc welding tackles complex stainless steel housings where laser alone cannot meet the task. It also offers reduced weld preparation requirements versus arc-only welding, claims TPS-
Fronius, Alton, Hampshire. Filters, valve fittings, pressure vessels for the food and drink industry plus hydraulics, heating, sanitary, pneumatics and aerospace are targets for the process.
No static at all
Octel, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire is offering help to companies under pressure from the ATEX directive.
The company can provide a solution to static build-up in solvents and other chemicals —
Octastat.
www.machinery.co.uk
● MACHINERY 17 October 2003
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