Product News

Compared to traditional thermal welding processes, laser-based techniques require less heat input due to the beams’ high energy. All welding methods involve melt-pool formation and subsequent rapid solidification, which can alter the properties of the welded metal. The high energy of laser welding, however, not only melts the material but also evaporates it, creating a vapour capillary in the material called a ‘keyhole’. This gives laser welding the advantage of a very high aspect ratio, defined as a high ratio of penetration depth to weld seam width. Compared to thermal welding methods, which generally provide wider and shallower weld seams, laser welding’s high aspect ratio translates into potentially lower part distortion. To meet the demands of modern manufacturing CIVAN has developed a High Power Single Mode Laser with dynamic beam. This innovative product enables different beam shapes, beam steering, and fast movement of the focal point, all electro-optically controlled with no mechanical movement. For example, CIVAN’s unique beam shaping allows uniform penetration in aluminium welding with…

The message is clear: to be successful in a turbulent market, manufacturers must digitalise. However, collecting data alone isn’t enough. To gain true value from digitalisation, manufacturers must analyse the data collected. They can do this by calculating KPIs, which are measurable metrics that help businesses focus on what’s important. KPIs can track and analyse equipment performance to identify inefficiencies and improve future process runs.   Overall equipment effectiveness Arguably the most fundamental KPI to calculate, and therefore the best place to begin, is overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), which measures an asset’s level of productivity. Some KPIs can be a single measurement, but OEE is actually a combination of multiple measurements. It’s essentially three KPIs in one: availability (A), performance (P) and quality (Q). A × P × Q =…

Operations include the removal of surface layers of oxides, rolled contaminants and cracks caused by hot forging or rolling. This is mostly done in carbon steel, alloy steel for heat treating, tool steel, stainless steel and heat-resistant alloys. The advantages of peeling in comparison with turning are higher productivity, less consumption of inserts, excellent roughness quality and high dimensional accuracy. Bar peeling inserts are generally mounted in two ways, either using a screw through the centre hole of the indexable insert or via a top clamp mechanism. Using a screw through the insert distributes the forces in axial and radial directions at the same time, leaving more room for chip evacuation. Clamping from the top significantly reduces the time to flip the insert and is more user-friendly. This is because it only takes a few turns of the clamping screw to loosen it, allowing for faster indexing of the cutting edge. Dormer Pramet provides a range of cutting tools specifically for bar peeling applications. Its inserts, within the Pramet brand,…

Toolholders were designed for mounting cutting tools reliably. They also facilitate the torque transmission from a machine spindle to a rotating tool. It has been a long time since we have heard of any significant changes in toolholding, which may suggest we are behind in innovation. Indeed, well-established tool clamping principles, the need for wide interchangeability and unification, and normalised designs of machine tool adaptations have resulted in well-defined standards, which specify detailed toolholder parameters. However, this doesn’t mean that new innovations and development is over. Time puts new demands on machining, which has transformed to new requirements for machine tools, and, consequently, to cutting tools and toolholders – both elements of a chain that enables recognition of machine tool capabilities possible when a machining part of a surface. The toolholder relates to the most “conservative” link of the chain and has undergone fewer revolutionary changes for the noted reasons. Nevertheless, the spirit of the time and modern trends in metal cutting has…

The OptiMAX is OMAX’s most advanced waterjet ever. The culmination of three decades of OMAX engineering expertise and real-world operator experience, it is designed for manufacturers in need of a versatile, easy-to-use cutting system. It offers OMAX’s intuitive software for optimised cutting capability and power, along with improved automation to maximise uptime. Companies can complete a greater range of work, more efficiently, and deliver finished products faster. New and improved features include: IntelliMAX premium software, designed for incredible ease of use and operation quickly following installation. Incorporating decades of proprietary waterjet cutting models, no other system can consistently produce parts as rapidly or capably. IntelliVISOR console with key metrics to optimise operations and complete system monitoring to avoid unplanned downtime. EnduroMAX pump that automatically sets the correct pressure and minimises fluctuations to improve component life, while offering the most efficient waterjet pump technology in the market. IntelliTRAX drive system with advanced motion control for further increased system robustness and reliability. Requires virtually no maintenance compared to more conventional ball screw…

Designed to set a new standard for the complete machining of rotationally symmetric solid carbide tools, the new VGrind 360S offers an impressive solution for manufacturing cutting tools for aerospace, medical, automotive and general subcontract manufacturing sectors. This new five-axis CNC grinding machine can be used productively to machine carbide tools with a diameter up to 25.4mm. Depending on the machine kinematics and the equipping of the grinding wheel packages, it can even be used for tools up to 150mm diameter. The VGrind 360S incorporates wear-free linear induction motors on the X, Y and Z-axes to lower maintenance costs for the machine while demonstrating higher surface quality for the tool and improved precision. The tried-and-tested vertical double-spindle concept from Vollmer now features an oriented spindle-stop for the first time. Also known as spindle indexing, this always stops the spindle at a specific position; the result is a reduction of axial run-out errors and concentricity issues, while offsetting wear in the HSK holding system. Another new…

However it is not just their remarkably low CO2 footprint that gives the new refrigerant dryers the edge; they also offer economic advantages. The smart control perfectly adjusts to the actual demand and reduces power consumption at a constant pressure dew point. Other components also ensure efficient operation. Economical in every detail, BOGE’s new DS-2 refrigerant compressed air dryers feature a smart control that automatically switches off the cooling compressor at partial load as soon as the required dew point has been reached. The cooling temperature is stored in the heat exchanger. This cold reserve cools the incoming compressed air until the dew point rises again. The cooling compressor only starts up again to maintain the required temperature level, and thus only begins consuming energy at this point. This principle allows energy savings of up to 79% compared to a dryer in continuous operation. The new frequency-controlled fan ensures a stable condensation pressure and reduces energy consumption by up…

Laser systems offer two general processes for material removal. One widely used process occurs during manufacturing for the production of new products that require micromachining. The other refers to a removal of surface congestion or contamination in a large industrial environment. For either process, the team at Raymax are able to provide expert advice, installation and on-going support. Precision material removal in the production of medical products can be carried out with an excimer laser produced by the OPTEC/LASEA Group, a Belgium-based company that works with some of the largest medical manufacturers in Europe. OPTEC excimer lasers are used to manufacture components for electrophysiology (EP) because they can strip or ablate wire as thin as a human hair. Nitinol wire, an amalgam of nickel and titanium that is highly elastic with excellent shape memory, is initially manufactured with a transparent plastic coating. A suitable laser is used in the micro-machining process to cut away the insulative coverage without damaging the nitinol wire. In procedures for…

The Federal Government has announced support for a project led by Australian Plant Proteins (APP) under the Collaboration Stream of the $1.3bn Modern Manufacturing Initiative to transform local production of pulse protein ingredients and help meet the growing global demand. APP owns Australia’s only commercial-scale pulse protein extraction facility. This project will quadruple production in South Australia, to produce 25,000 tonnes of pulse protein yearly. Partnering together with one of Australia’s largest family-owned food producers, Thomas Foods International and the Australian Milling Group, more than $378m will be invested in the construction of three plant protein manufacturing facilities supplying domestic and international markets. South Australia produces over a quarter of all Australian pulses and this project gives Australia the opportunity to value-add by up to eight times the value of the product. That value will be captured here in Australia for Australians benefit. Locally based plant…

During the 10-month IMCRC research collaboration, the project team will use new steel forming and joining solutions to further enhance Speedpanel’s production technology, with a focus on reducing waste and optimising and strengthening panel design. This research will also support Speedpanel’s high-volume production output and enable the business to have a more refined platform for continued expansion locally and abroad. Commenting on the project, Lindsay Evans, Speedpanel’s Sales and Operations Manager, said the IMCRC activate funding would assist Speedpanel to further revolutionise the way it manufactures its fire-rated and acoustic systems. “By streamlining manufacturing processes with innovative joining solutions and advanced techniques for material monitoring and process control, we’ll be able to evolve our product offering and bring a more environmentally friendly and sustainable panel system to market,” said Evans. “Tapping into Deakin’s expertise in material analysis and forming process control will enable us to assess and monitor material properties and key production parameters throughout the process to enhance process efficiency, enabling better quality…

Biax represents a clever rethinking of the waffle pod, replacing unsightly, hard-to-manage, environmentally-damaging polystyrene blocks with a compact, lightweight and sustainably produced product. Broad adoption of Biax could help the construction industry eliminate 25,000 tonnes of styrene from the building market each year. While other brands have attempted to completely redesign the waffle pod to achieve better environmental outcomes, Biax retains the best elements of the waffle pod design, but replaces the bulky styrene blocks with compact, recycled plastic pods. The Biax brand was last year acquired by Holloway Group, an Australian business that produces and distributes a number of innovative and sustainable products, in addition to offering custom moulding through its A Plus Plastics business. Prior says Holloway Group was the perfect acquisition partner for Biax. “Holloway Group was already manufacturing the product,” he explains. “Through this acquisition we have been able to remove one of the layers between manufacturer and purchaser, which will…

This latest version of the tool features a newly designed arm structure, a larger centre tube made of carbon fibre, and a further weight reduction of more than 20% over the original design. The complex tool is capable of machining three large diameters in just one operation, saving set-up time and machining time for automotive component manufacturers and delivering the highest accuracy and surface qualities. The newly redesigned tool recently won MM MaschinenMarkt’s Best of Industry Award in the Production and Manufacturing category based on votes by readers and industry experts. “As our automotive customers expand their offerings of hybrid and electric vehicles, we continue to respond to their need for lighter weight tooling solutions,” says Ingo Grillenberger, Product Manager at Kennametal. “By leveraging advanced manufacturing techniques like 3D printing, we’ve reduced weight a further 20% over the first-generation tool, while improving chip control and increasing tool rigidity—innovations that help our customers machine faster and more efficiently.” Machining three diameters in one operation, the stator bore tool ensures the alignment and concentricity of the machined…

“Increased sales growth and demand across Australia has resulted in us steadily expanding the Yawei range, which today includes CNC fibre lasers, tube lasers, pressbrakes, turret punch presses, guillotines and smart-factory automation solutions,” said Applied’s Sales and Marketing Manager, Daniel Fisher. “The value for money and performance aspect is why so many companies have opted for Yawei. The competitive price of Yawei machines has enabled many local manufacturers to bring their fabrication work back in-house. It has also allowed job shops to expand their range of services and capabilities enabling them to secure new business opportunities.” Two new models recently introduced further add to the impressive line-up: a laser punch combination and a panel folder. The new HPML Laser Punch Combination combines the forming capabilities of a turret punch press with the flexibility of a fibre laser cutter - all in the one machine. The machine features class-leading components which are a hallmark of all Yawei machines; these include a Siemens 840D controller, IPG laser source…