Quick off the grid for Hardinge

Held on 8 and 9 January, not only machines being sold on the stand, but also 60+ significant sales enquiries (a number from the Formula One sector) were taken over the two-day event. “The Hardinge brand has a strong and unrivalled reputation in the motorsport sector and this was reflected in the number of visitors making a bee-line to our stand,” said Steve Allen, Hardinge’s UK sales Manager. “Motorsport is just one of many manufacturing sectors where Hardinge technology is in pole position. The Autosport Show has provided us with an excellent springboard to increase sales and grow our business in 2009.” To draw in the crowds, Hardinge showcased a number of CNC machine tools under power, including: a Hardinge multi-tasking, collet-ready RS 51 MSY turning centre with live tooling, sub-spindle and Y-axis and full C-axis capability on both spindles; plus the Bridgeport XR 760 vertical machining centre equipped with 18.5 kW 12,000 rpm spindle (40 taper), fast rapids (43 m/min) and 30-position ATC. In addition to CNC machine tools, Hardinge also exhibited its latest workholding equipment including its new Super-Precision direct-drive rotary table and rotary indexing systems, and the recently-launched GD 210LP high-capacity, low-profile 4th-axis rotary table. The company’s close association with the motorsport sector was underlined by a number of stand features: * The Force India Formula One racing car (showcased to highlight the Technical Partnership Agreement in existence between Hardinge and Force India F1); * British Superbike rider Tom Tunstall and his Hardinge Motorsport-sponsored Honda Fireblade CBR1000RR Superbike; * Rally car legend David Appelby and the Hardinge Motorsport-sponsored Aston Martin DB9 4.3 Litre Vantage sports car. Pic: A gear selector being machined on a Hardinge CNC lathe