Toolmaker branches out

Machine operator Dean Henning added, "Hurco machines are best suited to our type of work because the conversational control with WinMax software is easy to use and we can program most jobs on the shop floor. Even on the 5-axis models we can use the Hurco control to program 3+2-axis cycles.

Additionally, a large, 3-axis DCX42i travelling-column machine with X / Y travels of 4.2 / 2.6 metres and a maximum table load of 16 tonnes was installed in 2020 to provide capacity for producing larger press tools and components. Currently the largest machine available from Hurco, it has a 10,000 rpm spindle with BT50 interface and a 40-position tool magazine. The availability of this capacity sets Tooling 2000 apart from much of the competition in the area.

Mr Abbott confirmed, "Not many suppliers offer this size of machine at an affordable price. We visited Hurco and it was our operators who chose the DCX because they like the flexibility of the control.

"It helps them to program parts without making mistakes, which would be costly in the case of these large components. The machine also has excellent swarf removal and holds very tight tolerances."

8 tooling2000.co.uk

An aerospace subcontractor has increased output by 26% thanks to shop floor monitoring software.

Automatic Industrial Machines in Clevedon, North Somerset has three 5-axis automated production centres and nineteen 3-axis and 5-axis stand-alone machines. These are all controlled by Heidenhain CNC systems and have been networked using its StateMonitor software.

Detailed knowledge of what is happening in every machining centre and collection of data for immediate troubleshooting and long-term analysis has increased output considerably. Stoppages can be rectified quickly, while analysis over time of how the production centres are being used allows the company to try out different methods for increasing throughput.

Managing director Rob Kendall said, "Having access to data in real time is part of what Industry 4.0 is all about. It makes you question why things are being done the way they are and prompts you to think of how production might be improved to raise efficiency."

He described the analysis of data from one of the company's automated 5-axis machining centres, a YCM NFX380 served by an Erowa Leonardo pallet storage system. It showed that over a 24-hour period of unmanned running, depending on the mix of components and the cycle times, which can be