To absorb the innovations, members of Ward CNC’s management team attended EMO on a data-gathering mission. Managing director Simon Whitworth, executive director Stephen Bodsworth, and Stuart Lawson, head of strategic accounts and projects, were all at the event to discuss opportunities with UK engineers, and the feedback was extremely positive.
On the Hyundai-Wia stand, Bodsworth was more than enthused by the technology that will soon be available in the UK from Ward CNC. The Hyundai-Wia booth had no fewer than 10 machine tools, with multi-tasking and Y-axis turning centres, a selection of 3- and 5-axis machining centres, and a horizontal machining centre featuring automation (HS6300 plus pallet load system), all catching the eye.
“Hyundai-Wia is one of the world’s most recognised brands, and the focus of their stand was not only the new machine-tool innovations, but the newly devised Hyundai-Wia ‘Smart System’ software and equipment monitoring software,” says Bodsworth.
Equally impressive was the Soraluce stand and its multitude of newly introduced technologies that included the DAS+ dynamic active stability system, which is designed to maximise chip removal capacity during machining. Another highlight was the DWS dynamic workpiece stability system, a portable component-mounted unit to remove chatter from fabricated/non-rigid workpieces. Further innovations included the latest 5-axis (continuous) milling head and the VSET system, a patented clamping unit to provide time savings for simplified off-machine set-up and alignment.
Additional products included the ‘Ram Balance’ system that improves ram geometrical accuracy, straightness and parallelism when vertical and cross axes are moved. Also well received at the show was the DHC dynamic head calibration system, a self-calibration concept that improves the accuracy of the compensation parameters associated with the head. In addition, Soraluce demonstrated for the first time, grinding on a TR-M35 machining centre. All of the technology advancements will be available in the UK in coming months.
Looking toward the machining of everything from larger components to smaller prismatic parts, Hartford also had a plethora of newly developed products at EMO, while a specific focus on 5-axis machining and Industry 4.0 was evident at the Axile booth. Automated production with zero downtime and the integration of Industry 4.0 technology could be seen on Axile machines, with the ART system drawing the crowds.
For the production of smaller turned parts that demand high productivity and precision, Takisawa featured machines on two stands at EMO.
