Manufacturing Machinery World April 2022

NEW PRODUCTS – NEW PRODUCTS – NEW PRODUCTS
CONNECTED IN SECONDS
Small pluggable energy chain from igus
saves 80% assembly time. The plug-in
principle of readychain micro-speed enables
fast connection of e-chain systems in small
installation spaces
igus has launched a plug-and-play energy
chain system called readychain speed that
allows connection of fully assembled e-chain
systems in seconds, with no tools needed.
This reduces assembly throughput times or
machine downtime, and planned
maintenance work can be reduced to a
minimum. By using the readychain speed,
users can save 80% machine assembly time.
And the new readychain micro-speed makes
applications in particularly small installation
spaces possible.
Across all industries and applications, if a
defective cable leads to machine downtime,
the total downtime and follow-up costs can
be high, sometimes several thousand pounds
for a few minutes. With the ready-to-connect
readychain speed from igus, the e-chain
system can be easily and quickly replaced if
cables fail, putting the machine back into
operation immediately. The readychain
micro-speed variant is for very tight spaces.
With the new readychain micro-speed,
igus has expanded its portfolio of quickly
pluggable energy chains into small
applications. With compact dimensions –
20mm width and height – the system is wellsuited
to applications with very little space,
such as door locks in machine tools. It is not
necessary to separate the wires from terminal
Floyd Automatic Tooling has now
introduced the new SWITCH-Line Series of
interchangeable turning tools from Applitec.
Developed to deliver fast, easy tool
changeovers with precision, repeatability
and consistency, the new SWITCH-Line
Series has been designed for use with
standard tool platens on turning centres.
Applitec has created this innovative new
line in response to customers that require
quick and easy insert and tool changeovers
with accuracy and reliability. This
unsurpassed level of precision and
repeatability is derived from a new ‘face and
taper’ location system that not only improves
positioning and accuracy but also stability
and cutting performance. Furthermore, the
impressive new design characteristics see the
SWITCH-Line provide unparalleled ease of
use and affordability, which has been a
barrier to adoption with rival systems.
The interchangeable heads are available
for all Applitec insert lines including the
TOP-Line, TURN-Line and the extremely
popular ISO-Line. With the TOP-Line
blocks using tools before changing a cable,
because the plugs are integrated into the
energy chain and the cable is fully connected
on both sides. The counterpart, an
attachment housing with socket, can be fitted
to the machine housing.
If a cable change is now required, the
plug-in system can be replaced as quickly as
the power cord of a laptop – no tools, no
know-how, no hassle. Any employee can
perform this task without having to worry
about mistakes. Justin Leonard, e-chain
director at igus UK, says: “Thanks to this
flexibility, reaction speed is faster when
failures occur, so that downtimes can be
catering for all parting, grooving and
intricate form machining applications and
the TURN-Line and ISO-Line meeting, the
diverse turning requirements of any machine
shop; the new SWITCH-Line Series is the
product of choice for manufacturers looking
to improve productivity and performance
with the added benefit of reducing machine
downtime and tool changeovers. With a
comprehensive range of insert dimensions,
geometries and coatings to suit all material
and application types, the new SWITCH-
Line is perfect for all users of sliding head
turning centres.
To improve handling and tool
shortened many times over. And with little
investment.”
With the readychain micro-speed,
customers get an interface solution tailored
precisely to their application. It is almost
infinitely configurable and, like the larger
readychain speed, can be combined with
cables from igus' wide range of chainflex
cables – including power, bus, Ethernet and
fibre optic cables. The cables are protected
against mechanical damage by the e-chain.
“The required plugs, housings and
connections can be customised individually,”
emphasises Leonard. “The customer can
obtain everything from a single source and
every energy chain becomes a tailor-made
product.”
https://www.igus.co.uk
FLOYD SWITCHES UP FLEXIBILITY WITH NEW TURNING LINE
changeovers, Applitec has developed the
system with a single screw release system
that demonstrates the ease of changeovers.
The program also incorporates a range of
cylindrical tool holders with interchangeable
ER collet holders and HSK designations for
quick tool changes, further expanding the
flexibility of the series. In addition, the
SWITCH-Line Series allows for through tool
coolant and high-pressure coolant facility via
the Applitec JET-line or HEB Mini Plug
system. Both coolant delivery systems can be
fitted quickly and with ease to the SWITCH-
Line Series with no time-consuming hose
changeovers or bulky connections that can
clutter the work envelope. To further reduce
set-up times and maximise machine uptime,
the SWITCH-Line Series can be pre-set away
from the machine, so the operator has a
simple task of adjusting a single screw to
change the tool head. If you want to
experience the ultimate in cutting tool
flexibility and autonomy on your sliding
head turning centres, contact Floyd
Automatic for more information.
www.floydautomatic.co.uk
28 Manufacturing Machinery World, April 2022