The Tamworth-based cutting tool specialist has taken delivery of a new Walter Helitronic Power with a 24 kW spindle, 40-tool capacity EcoLoad system and linear and radial resolution of 1 micron. This will be followed by an ANCA MX7 Linear that is set for installation early in 2019.
The new Walter Helitronic 5-axis CNC grinder will complement the company’s existing 23 machines and it will be used mainly for manufacturing high quality cutting tools from 12 mm and above. The new arrival will enable ITC to react faster and more efficiently to the growing customer requirements for high specification tooling solutions.
As the 17th Walter machine installed in the last 18 years, the new addition emphasises ITC’s strategy of continual investment in the very latest technology to ensure that “its high standards are above and beyond those of other cutting tool vendors”.
The ANCA MX7 Linear grinding centre will also be dedicated to the production of tools in the 16 to 20 mm diameter range. Like the Walter Helitronic, the ANCA machine will boast automated loading in support of 24-hour production. The machine will be installed with in-process laser measuring technology and software that automatically monitors grinding wheel wear during production cycles and automatically compensates toolpaths to ensure that SPC targets are met during unmanned production runs.
As well as installing two new grinding centres, ITC has invested heavily in its infrastructure over the last 12 months, with construction work, new environmentally-friendly LED lighting and a new external compressor facility. Adding to all this, ITC has added an AXYZ router for cutting tool development for the sign and print industry. This investment will be underpinned by the addition of a machining centre in 2019 to further advance the company’s ambitions to develop the next generation of cutting tools.
