Manufacturing Machinery World July 2017

NEWS NEWS NEWS
LIghtWeIght angLe heaD FRom Itc IncReases
accuRacy anD PRoDuctIVIty
Tamworth cutting tool specialist Industrial
Tooling Corporation (ITC) has now
announced the arrival of the new AG90 fixed
90-degree angle head from BIG KAISER. The
new AG90 is a lightweight system with a BT30
(BIG-PLUS) taper that is regarded as one of the
worlds lightest and most robust angle heads.
As part of the BIG KAISER family of angle
heads, the new AG90
weighs less than 2kg,
making it compatible with
the automatic tool change
system on small machine tools. By
allowing vertical, horizontal and
angular operations without
repositioning the workpiece, BIG KAISER
angle heads increase accuracy and
productivity. Being able to use just a single setup
also change the angle of the cutter through
a 360 degree range, speeds up production and
eliminates errors due to multiple set-ups. The
new angle head also enables users to benefit
from new capabilities without replacing
existing machine tools.
“The new AG90 combines advanced
design features and high quality components
When RDL Technologies LTD was formed in
2000, the Leicester Company had a vision of
supplying high quality subcontract
manufactured components. Seventeen years
later, is a recognised as one of the UK’s
leading turned parts subcontractors,
something that is largely supported by
sliding head turning centres from Star
Micronics GB
In June 2003 RDL began its relationship
with Star GB by purchasing its first Star
sliding head machine, an SB-16C. This was
followed in 2007 by the installation of a new
Star SR-20RII increasing their capacity from
16mm to 20mm. In 2010, two more Star
machines entered the machine shop, a second
SR-20RII and a 9 axis Star SV-20 sliding head.
In 2011, machine capacity was again
increased from 20mm to 32mm with a Star
SR-32JN and this was followed in 2014 by
another Star SR-32JN together with SV-32.
This gradual increase in dimensional
while keeping its weight down to the absolute
minimum,” says Peter Elmer, CEO of BIG
KAISER. “It complements our existing range
of angle heads, which enable customers to find
the right solution for almost any application.”
The AG90’s compact design minimises
overhang and this adds rigidity and strength.
Furthermore, the reduced overhang
also eliminates interference
with the ATC and adjacent
storage pockets in the tool
magazine.
An advanced
non-contact seal is
incorporated into the
AG90 to prevent
coolant and particle
c o n t a m i n a t i o n .
Additionally, a unique
coolant jacket efficiently
directs coolant coming through
the stop block to the edge of the cutting tool
while simultaneously cooling the angle head.
To minimize noise and vibration, the AG90 is
made from superior quality components that
include hardened and ground chrome-nickel
RDL Is a staR subcontRactoR
capacity has now taken another step forward
with RDL buying a new Star ST38 machine.
Commenting on the new arrival, Lewis
Lockwood, the Production Control Manager
at RDL says: “With 14 Star machines, this
acquisition was the next natural step for us as
it now gives us capacity up to 40mm
diameter. We can do multi-axis milling and
balanced turning and it’s a lot more powerful
than anything else we’ve got in the machine
shop.”
Referring to the milling capacity of the
powerful new Star ST-38, RDL is machining
rectangular support blocks from round bar
on the ST-38. As Mr Lockwood continues:
“Most people would think that the part was
machined on a machining centre, but we can
do it on the Star ST-38. Machined from
EN16T, which is quite heavy duty, it shows
the capability of the machine when
machining this high tensile material. By
doing it on the ST-38, we could machine the
job through the night, which makes it more
profitable for the company.”
“We have another job that used to be
machined on our Star SR-20II and then
finished machined on a machining centre.
We can now machine this type of part in a
single set-up on the ST-38, saving us
considerable set-up and machining time as
well as enhancing precision.”
tel: 01332 864455
email: alistair@stargb.com
www.stargb.com
steel spiral bevel gears, super precision
hardened and ground spindles and high
precision angular contact ball bearings.
ITC can provide a variety of BIG KAISER
angle heads such as the AG90 family for
milling and drilling or the AGU30 with an
adjustable angle. In addition, numerous
special options can be acquired via the ITC
engineers whilst the AG90 angle head is
available in a wide range of tapers, lengths and
designs. For further details on how the AG90
can improve your machining processes and
reduce set-up times, please contact ITC.
tel: 01827 304500
email: sales@itc-ltd.co.uk
Web: www.itc-ltd.co.uk
uK-WIDe VeRIcut
useR exchange
eVents
Each year CGTech hosts numerous
VERICUT User Exchange (VUE) meetings
around the world for its customers and
partners. In 2016, more than 1,600 VERICUT
users attended over 45 VUE events in 15
countries. This year CGTech Ltd. has
announced 4 UK VUE events to take place
throughout September and October.
The first event will be held on 12th
September at the Advanced Forming
Research Centre, Renfrewshire. A further 3
events will then take place at Queens
University, Belfast, (14th September), Royal
Armouries Museum, Leeds (3rd October)
and Silverstone Circuit, Northampton (17th
October).
Attendees will learn about new software
features, tips for improving manufacturing
efficiency and optimisation, and will have
the opportunity to meet with CGTech staff
and influence the future direction of the
software.
At this year’s events CGTech will also be
showcasing the new physics-based
optimisation module, VERICUT Force, and
we will be introducing future plans for
Additive Manufacturing simulation
capabilities coming soon to VERICUT.
to register for any of the Vue locations,
visit www.cgtech.co.uk/about/vue/
tel: +44(0)1273-773538
email: info.uk@cgtech.com
10 Machinery World, July 2017