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HELI-3-MILL – HM390 TRIANGULAR INSERTS NOW WITH 5 MM HELICAL CUTTING EDGES

 

ISCAR recently expanded its HM390 line of milling tools with triangular insert line with HELI-3-MILL – a family of indexable cutters carrying the HM390 TPKT 0502PDR 5 mm edge triangular insert. The design, based on its successful predecessors, provides a smaller insert, enables high metal removal rates, and offers an effective and economical solution for milling 90º shoulders.

The HELI-3-MILL tools are intended for applications that are traditionally aimed for solid carbide endmills. Designed for productive rough milling at high feed rates of compact parts, small-size cavities, pockets, etc., the new tools are particularly applicable to miniature parts manufacturing, medical components and more. While they offer an ideal solution for low power machining centers and turn-milling machine tools, the low power consumption allows the cutters to be applied on machine tools with limited power, small capacity machining centers and turn-milling machines.

Available in a 10 – 16 mm diameter range, the tools feature a 90º cutting edge angle, advanced cutting geometry to reduce cutting forces and provides smooth cutting, ramping down ability and a maximum 3.5 mm depth of cut. Coolant holes are directed to each cutting edge and the cutter body  has a special protective polished coating for uninterrupted chip flow and protection from corrosion and wear.

Reduced feed per tooth working values contribute to decreasing impact load and ensure soft and light cutting action, while the high tooth density, enabled by the small-size insert facilitates stable cutting due to several teeth engaging in the material during milling.

The HM390 TPKT 0502PDR single-sided triangular inserts feature three helical cutting edges, with progressive cutting geometry providing positive radial and axial rake angles on the cutter, and a wiper flat for improved surface finish. The inserts are produced from ISCAR’s latest SUMO TEC carbide grades, which significantly increase productivity.

The HM390 TPCT 0502PDR peripherally ground inserts integrate a sharp cutting edge used for semi-finishing and finishing applications. The insert enables smooth machining, exerting low cutting forces, and is specially designed for milling various high-temperature alloys. These features allow a higher table feed to be applied in shallow milling applications.

The following HELI-3-MILL cutter types are available at this stage: HM390 ETP…-05 endmills carrying the triangular HM390 TPKT 0502PDR inserts in a diameter range of 10 – 16 mm, and HM390 ETP…MM-05 endmills with MULTI-MASTER threaded adaptation in 10, 12, 14 and 16 mm diameters, carrying HM390 TPKT 0502PDR triangular inserts. The MULTI-MASTER connection expands the variety of tool configurations.

Shank types are available in cylindrical and conical shanks in a wide selection of diameters, lengths and materials, allowing operators to choose the proper shank according to their application requirements. Indexing is fast and convenient due to the threaded connection. Since the tool is not removed from the machine, no set-up time is required for tool head replacement.

The HELI-3-MILL family offers a productive solution in a broad spectrum of milling applications, including rough to finish machining on main engineering materials and milling square shoulders, planes (especially next to shoulders), slots, and inclined surfaces and cavities by ramping or helical interpolation. The unique tool design significantly minimizes and even eliminates mismatch in multi-pass milling of high shoulders.

For more information, please contact ISCAR South Africa (PTY) LTD – Tel: 011 997-2700.

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50 YEARS – FROM THOMPSON TO CRAFT

Left to right, Philip Thompson, Managing Director, Gavin Kriek, Director, Thomas Zackey, Director Fred Thompson, Director.

 

Irishmen and Brothers Fred and Frank Thompson, founders of Benoni based Thompson Machine Tools in October 1971, started the company as a two- man enterprise focussing on the buying and selling of used machine tools.

Irishmen and Brothers Fred and Frank Thompson, founders of Benoni based Thompson Machine Tools in October 1971.

Their youngest brother, Philip, joined the company in 1972 serving his apprenticeship as a fitter and turner, while familiarizing himself with machine tools, after which he took over the position as a sales representative.

With another brother, John Thompson, joining the company as a sales representative in 1974, Thompson Machine Tools developed more and more into a family business and even today in 2021 is still a family business.

Business grew rapidly, and in 1973 a large showroom was built in Elston Avenue, Benoni, with staff numbers jumping to twelve people. Just two years later the company decided to purchase a three acre industrial stand in Apex, on which a 5500 square metre building, with workshop, showroom and offices, was built. It was the most modern and up-to- date machine tool workshop and showroom in southern Africa with a floor space of 2800 square metres. “This was to be the largest machine tool showroom in the southern hemisphere,” reflects Fred Thompson as he recalls the halcyon days of the late Seventies and early Eighties.”

A Newspaper Clip showing the Thompson Brothers 40 Years ago during Thompson Machine Tools’ 10th Anniversary. Left to right, John Thompson, Fred Thompson, Frank Thompson and Philip Thompson.

“But sadly, all good things must come to an end and so it was that between 1982 and 1987, the machine tool industry went through what must rank as one of its worst ever recessions.”

“In the spring of 1983, Frank decided to sell his shares to his two younger brothers, John and Philip, both of whom had been involved with the company for many years. With sales at an all-time low and interest rates at an all-time high, the next four years were to be the toughest, but ironically the most rewarding, for the company.” Thompson Machine Tools positioned itself at the top amongst the leading machine tool dealers in South Africa.

While in those days a major part of the company’s used machine tools was imported from Britain and Europe, Thompson Machine Tools not only expanded locally in the former province of South Africa, then called Transvaal but all over the Republic, and exports to neighbouring states were on the increase.

Patrick Zackey subsequently joined the company in 1987 as a shareholder and director when Interprovince Engineering Supplies was formed. Several years later he was also instrumental in the forming of Craft Machine Tools but subsequently retired in 2013 when his son Thomas Zackey took over his shares in the company.

Thompson Machine Tools became a major player in the Used Machine Tool Merchants Association (UMTMA), an organisation of reliable, established machinery dealers working together for the betterment of the industrial body of machine tool users. The association was primarily founded to protect the end user of machine tools from unscrupulous dealers. Both brothers, Fred and Frank Thompson, served as chairman of UMTMA on several occasions.

While over the years Thompson Machine Tools became synonymous with used machine tools, back in the early nineties, the company saw a gap in the new machine tool market and it was then that Craft Machine Tools was born. Craft Machine Tools became the dominant force and ever since has been challenging in a market that is extremely competitive.

The Craft Machine Tools Showroom

The company is southern African sole agent for Craft from Taiwan and China, the Dalian Machine Tool Group from China, Fair Friend (Feeler) and WinHo both from Taiwan.

Left to right, Philip Thompson, Managing Director, Gavin Kriek, Director, Thomas Zackey, Director Fred Thompson, Director.

Craft Machine Tools’ product portfolio includes CNC turning centres, CNC machining centres, guillotines, pressbrakes, centre lathes, turret mills, radial & pedestal drills, slotting machines, sawing machines and universal iron workers.

Philip Thompson, Managing Director 082-493-1981

Fred Thompson, Director 082-903-2509

Gavin Kriek, Director 083 397 8537

Thomas Zackey, Director 083 298 9163

 

ByCut Smart 6225- HIGH PRODUCTIVITY AND PERFORMANCE AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE

Now in the large format of 6.2 x 2.5 meters: Bystronic introduces the ByCut Smart fiber laser in the new 6225 large format.

 

More sheet metal, more parts, more variety and a new design. The ByCut Smart 6225 further optimizes sheet utilization thanks to the 6225 cutting format. The new system features up to 10 kilowatts of laser power with the optional BeamShaper and all this at an advantageous price.

More sheet metal, more parts, more variety. Laser cutting systems for larger formats offer users the opportunity to distinguish themselves from the competition without excessive financial investment. That is why Bystronic is expanding its fiber laser product line ByCut Smart with the 6225 format in a new design. The machine can also be equipped with a choice of the Fiber 3000, 4000, 6000, 8000, or 10000 laser sources.

With the new large format, users can process sheet metal with lengths of up to 6.2 meters and widths of 2.5 meters on the ByCut Smart. This increases the productivity of the machine, because cut parts can be nested more efficiently on large-format sheet metal. At the same time, undesirable raw material waste is significantly reduced due to a high degree of material utilization. The BySoft CAM process software supports users in this process with intelligent nesting procedures.

Broad range of cutting applications

Furthermore, the new format increases the variety of cutting applications on the ByCut Smart. Along with various small parts, large parts can also be cut from large-format sheet metal as needed, without interrupting the machine during the laser cutting. This is another competitive advantage not offered by laser cutting systems in current standard formats.

Besides cutting applications with extra-large sheet metal, it is also possible to process sheet metal in smaller formats, lined up on the ByCut Smart’s long cutting table. In this process, users can prepare enough raw material for the fiber laser system to subsequently run in cutting mode for longer.

In addition to ByCut Smart 6225, Bystronic offers the fiber laser in 12020, 8020, 6520, 4020 and 3015 formats.

For more information on the please see www.bystronic.co.za or contact Bystronic on 010 410 0200.

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DIATEST BALL AND ROLLER INSERTS

 

The name DIATEST guarantees worldwide quality, expertise and safety. While measuring instruments with an accuracy of up to 0.0002 mm / 0.000008 inch ensure an absolute accurate result, DIATEST is DIN ISO 9001 certificated. Future-orientated manufacturing technology (Industry 4.0,…), well trained precision engineering technicians and engineering knowledge guarantee highest quality standards.

For many decades DIATEST has been manufacturing ball and roller inserts for hand-held measuring devices, measuring machines etc. that are well-known in over 40 countries worldwide.

This means that a wide range of standardised solutions are available for the rapid use of ball inserts. Ball and roller inserts are of course also manufactured according to individual requirements and application.

DIATEST ball inserts:

  • With shaft for clamping (e.g. Ø 3.5 mm)
  • With thread for mounting (e.g. M2.5)
  • Over 60 ball-Ø are available as standard, other Ø on request
  • All measuring balls are made of hard metal
  • Tolerance of the ball inserts: ± 0.001 mm
  • Special solutions are available, e.g. flattening of balls, etc.
  • Wide range of accessories is available including holders etc.
  • Special designs such as roller inserts etc.

Diatest clients are manufacturers all over the world demanding a high standard of accuracy and quality, for example the aviation and aerospace industry, the automobile and hydraulics industry, medical industry as well as general engineering.

For more information, please contact Duncan Macdonald – Tel: 011 444-4345.

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ISCAR MILL-4-FEED FFQ4 12 MILLING FAMILY

ISCAR recently expanded the tool and insert options of the immensely popular FFQ4-12 milling family to include new tools and insert geometries.

The FFQ4-12 tools carry square single-sided inserts with four cutting edges, designed for reducing cutting forces when used on low power machines or long overhang applications.

The FFQ4 D…-12 shell mill cutters feature a coarse-pitch option for 40 and 50 mm cutters and for 52 and 66 mm cutters, which extends the range of application options for roughing operations in the die & mould and aerospace industries and in general engineering.

The FFQ4 inserts are produced from ISCAR’s latest SUMOTEC carbide grades, ensuring high productivity.

Insert types include:

  • FFQ4 SOMT 125 single-sided square insert with four cutting edges, featuring five cutting geometries for optimal machining of different materials
  • FFQ4 SOMT 12516T for steel, ferritic and martensitic stainless steel, cast iron and hardened steel; FFQ4 SOMT 12516HP for austenitic stainless steel and high temperature alloys
  • FFQ4 SOMT 120516T20 for grey and nodular cast iron; FFQ4 SOMT 1205RM-T for interrupted cut and for machining near straight wall shoulders of steel, ferritic and martensitic stainless steel, cast iron and hardened steel
  • FFQ4 SOMT 1205RM-HP for interrupted cut and for machining near straight wall shoulders of austenitic stainless steel and high temperature alloys

The FFQ4 D…-12 tool features a 9˚ cutting edge angle, positive axial rake angle, ramping down capability, a 3.1 mm radius for programming, with fine pitch and coarse pitch cutter versions. Internal coolant holes are directed to each cutting edge and the cutter body has a special protective polished coating for uninterrupted chip flow and protection from corrosion and wear.

For more information, please contact ISCAR South Africa (PTY) LTD – Tel: 011 997-2700.

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TAEGUTEC DRILL-SFEED – A HEAD CHANGEABLE 3-FLUTE DRILL

TaeguTec’s DRILLRUSH line, which has been meeting customer’s needs with outstanding machining and convenience, offers a 3-flute drill with upgraded clamping structure designed to maximize productivity.

The DRILL-SFEED uses unique, self-centring features, unlike conventional 3-flute carbide drills, to ensure superior performance and machining stability in high-speed machining. It also provides optimal solutions for customers to reduce costs by improving tool life as well as achieving high productivity due to its strong cutting edges and the latest coating technology.

The original clamping structure allows for the simple replacement of drill heads, as well as varying sizes of heads onto a single tool body, thus facilitating economical end user drill stock management.

Features

  • 3-flute geometry improves productivity by more than 50%
  • Highest machining stability due to its unique edge geometry
  • Excellent hole precision due to its superior self-centring capability
  • Reduced cutting load
  • Internal coolant through type means smooth chip evacuation
  • The latest coating grade for excellent tool life
  • Simplified drill head exchanging for reduced downtime
  • Suitable for steel and cast iron machining
  • Drill diameter range: 16.0 – 20.5 mm (3xD and 5xD)

 

For more information please contact TaeguTec – Tel: 011 362-1500.

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TaeguTec 3 FLUTES SOLID CARBIDE DRILL FOR INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY

In order to maximize customer profitability by improving productivity as well as superior machining, TaeguTec offers a 3 flute carbide drill with a unique geometry. Not only does the line improve productivity due to the increased number of teeth compared to conventional drills, it also improves machining stability in high cutting conditions with its excellent edge design. It is the best solution for customers who demand excellent performance, especially in steel and cast iron machining.

Features

  • 3 flutes geometry improves productivity by more than 50%
  • Highest machining stability due to its unique edge geometry
  • Reduced cutting load
  • Minimized heat generation during machining
  • Internal coolant through type
  • TT5130 grade
  • Sub-micron PVD grade with a good balance between toughness and hardness
  • Newly developed multilayer coating structure to strengthen against both fracture toughness and wear resistance
  • Excellent hole precision due to its superior self-centring capability
  • The latest coating grade for excellent tool life (TT5130)
  • Suitable for steel and cast iron machining
  • Drill diameter range – 4.0-12.0 mm (3xD and 5xD)

 

For more information please contact TaeguTec – Tel: 011 362-1500.

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AMADA AUTOMATION SOLUTIONS

Ever-growing need for production has resulted in companies looking for unique methods of manufacturing with faster production times, less human intervention and ultimately less cost.

Labour costs play a huge role in production and the faster a product can be produced, the higher the profits.

In sheet metal applications, this is a difficult target due to the various stages of production such as blanking, bending, welding, grinding, painting, assembly, testing and packaging. These various processes are each a headache on their own.

Beginning with the blanking process, the designer needs to have a good understanding of the completed product and its intended use or application. This person also needs to have a good understanding of the capabilities of the machinery being used as well as the materials being processed.

The automation process begins by use of a CAD draw

ing system. Rendering a 3D model in Amada’s Sheetworks 3D software, the full product can be viewed, operated / animated and broken down into single part items. This process eliminates trial production and the waste of materials, time and resources.

Ultimately, all proto-typing can be done on a PC in the 3D environment, while the customer can sign off for the start of production before a single part or sample is physically produced. The process from creating the drawing to tool fitting and programming is executed by a few clicks on the PC mouse. The automated system will then separate material types and material thicknesses, it will nest the parts according to the parameters set and will program it accordingly for the selected machine.

Once completed at the programming stage, the programs are transferred from the PC to the machine by employment of a job card with a bar code attached. The use of a bar code scanner at the machine control will instantly display the program and rendering it immediately ready for production.

The scanning of the bar code will ensure that production throughput is handled in the correct sequence, thanks to the programmer who creates a production schedule according to the importance of the work. Once ready to begin with actual production, there is an additional automation option for material storage and material handling, too. These systems (ASF-H or ASR tower storage systems) & MPL (material manipulation system) are capable of loading the raw materials onto the table of the machine, ready for production to begin. All of this is possible without the operator having to touch the sheet. Once the sheet has been processed, it is offloaded by means of the manipulator system. It then is either stacked on a pallet complete with skeleton and parts or it can be separated by means of a “TK” system. The TK system is ideal for the removal and sorting of cut parts from a nested sheet. This “picker” will remove each individual part by means of numerous suckers and will place them onto different stacking pallets – sorting parts for their next processes needed onto individual pallets. Different customers’ jobs that were nested onto the same sheet can now be separated and stacked individually without any human intervention.  X3

Bending can also be automated according to customers’ needs by utilizing Amada’s 3i Bend software and creating all bending programs from the initial drawing. Sequencing and tool fitting is done on the PC and trial bending on the machine is eliminated. The “teach” function on the control of the bender will assist and indicate the precise positioning of each tool as required, while prompting the operator through the bending process. In the case of the ATC (Automatic Tool Changer), the machine will automatically load and unload tooling as required for the job at hand. The ATC will drastically reduce setup times between jobs as it can load a full three meters of top and bottom tooling in just 3 minutes. Suddenly the small batch runs or single part production becomes a much faster process with far less down-time.

For long constant production runs, robotics are available to replace operators. The robotic benders are ideal for constant bending of the same parts or very large production runs. These systems are available from very small robotic systems on the EG press brakes, right up to the large – heavy duty press brakes handling parts that are too heavy for the operator.

Amada provides a total automation solution for all requirements from single sheet manipulation (MPL), to multiple sheet storage and manipulation (ASFH or ASR) to high volume sheet storage and manipulation (MARS). Everything is programmed through a central Amada data-base (VPSS3i) and fully backed by Amada’s dedicated service and applications teams.

For more information, please contact Amada – Tel: 011 453-5459.

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ByTube Star 130 – THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION FOR TUBE PROCESSING

Process workpieces with speed and precision in the range of 10 to 130 millimeters for the entire field, even with open profiles

Sheet metal processors speed up their tube laser business with the new Bystronic ByTube Star 130, the high-end tube laser with the most functions. Precision, user-friendliness and a fully automatic setup with open profiles and ellipses lead to greater flexibility and quality in production.

With the ByTube Star 130 laser cutting system, sheet metal production operations enter into the tube processing business quickly and easily, thus gaining access to new customer groups.

Fully automatic setup

With the ByTube Star 130, sheet metal processors looking to expand their portfolios have the perfect solution for tube processing at their fingertips – fast, simple, efficient and with the most functions. The broad application scope for all metallic materials in sizes from 10 to 130 millimeters and raw material lengths of up to 8.5 meters opens up new possibilities.

The automated system reduces manual intervention to a minimum and thus makes getting started in tube processing particularly easy. At the same time, the machine covers an exceptionally broad range of needs: Since 85 percent of the market potential in the segment is in small tubes, the ByTube Star 130 is equipped for processing tubes with diameters of 10 to 130 millimeters. The machine has a loading capacity of up to 17 kilograms per meter. With the 2D cutting head, 90 percent of all customer requests are fulfilled as vertical cuts make up the largest market share.

Available in two power levels, 2 or 3 kilowatts, the fiber laser unit of the ByTube Star 130 scores points with excellent energy efficiency as well as consistent and even cutting quality.

Additional options enhance precision

Additional options can be configured individually and enable even more operating convenience and increased production quality, such as

  • “Laserscan”: Real-time compensation for tube bending to improve cutting precision, i.e., high accuracy is guaranteed in all cutting conditions, even with low-quality material.
  • “Quick Cut”: Greater speed for better performance thanks to an additional linear axis.

Automatic welding-seam recognition makes manually aligning raw material unnecessary. With Laserscan, the function independently recognizes and compensates for geometric deviations in tubes, thus guaranteeing accuracy in the cutting process regardless of raw material quality.

Left or right is not an issue

As the sole global supplier, Bystronic also provides the ByTube Star 130 laser cutting system in a design with a “mirrored” configuration upon request. This enables customers to select the optimal layout for their individual production flow. Although simple at first glance, the “mirroring” opens up benefits, while loading and unloading areas no longer get in the way. It reduces not only logistical effort, but also saves space and manpower. Thanks to faster throughput time, productivity can be significantly increased.

The ByTube Star 130 combines intelligent machine design and leading cutting technology. Its simple operation, broad application scope, and sophisticated options ensure that Bystronic customers always stay one step ahead of the field in increasingly tough competition.

For more information on the please see www.bystronic.co.za or contact Bystronic on 010 410 0200.

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SMART FACTORY SOLUTIONS – SCALABLE SOLUTIONS FOR SMART PRODUCTION

Bystronic offers its customers solutions that make them even more competitive, starting from stand-alone laser cutting systems or press brakes, to automation solutions, all the way to a complete Smart Factory “World Class Manufacturing” for every sheet metal processing enterprise.

From manual production, through automated production, all the way to the Smart Factory, Bystronic solutions help companies look to the future with success, thanks to optimized processes.

With three main categories of solutions, tailor-made for the individual needs of each client, Bystronic offers “World Class Manufacturing” solutions for all customer requirements.

With scalable system solutions, Bystronic combines machines, automation, and software to create a flexible network of intelligent components. Thanks to the centralized control of networked components, the Bystronic software suite offers full transparency – at any time and from anywhere.

How can sheet metal processing companies survive in a market with ever-intensifying competition? The magic words are process optimization, automation and flexibility. With the BySoft suite, Bystronic is launching the software needed to make these a reality. It combines machines, plans applications as well as production steps and optimizes process flows, whether for the automation of two machines or for a complete Smart Factory. Thanks to the open interface, components from third-party manufacturers can also be integrated.

In the age of Industry 4.0, the world is changing and with it the entire business environment. Volatile markets, smaller batch sizes, increasing product diversity and shorter output times are some of the challenges the sheet metal processing sector is currently facing. This requires new approaches from companies in this industry wanting to maintain their competitiveness.

Competitive production requires automated production processes. A high and consistent level of quality is decisive in today’s market. Here, lightly manned or unmanned production can make a crucial difference with its high degree of automation.

Centralized control of all components

With the BySoft suite, Bystronic has developed comprehensive software to support sheet metal processors in overcoming these challenges and ensuring a sustained competitive advantage.

This new, open software suite enables businesses to achieve the maximum with their production resources. Thanks to the centralized control of their virtual or physical components, they control and digitally monitor the entire processing flow. The Bystronic software suite offers full transparency with regard to machines and processes, be it in planning orders, controlling production, data processing during manufacturing, or office administration such as quoting, invoicing, etc. – at any time and from anywhere.

Seamless integration of third-party components

With scalable Bystronic system solutions, sheet metal processing companies can combine machines, automation, and software to create a flexible network of intelligent components, regardless of whether they use Bystronic machines or third-party systems.

With the BySoft suite, sheet metal processors can begin optimizing their production processes today with a view toward digital production. From top-of-the-range machines and automated production cells all the way to a fully integrated Smart Factory, Bystronic’s scalable solutions grow along with the requirements of customers.

With the scalable BySoft suite, anything from individual components to a complete Smart Factory can be networked.

With scalable system solutions, Bystronic combines machines, automation, and software to create flexible networks of intelligent components for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and contract manufacturers. With centralized control, Bystronic offers full transparency – at any time and from anywhere.

Sheet metal processing companies thus accelerate their production and workflows to stay one step ahead of their customers’ growing requirements.

For more information on the please see www.bystronic.co.za or contact Bystronic on 010 410 0200.

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