High-accuracy, high-speed milling machine is appropriate for mould and die applications, which call for maximum precision and surface quality.

Building on its pioneering expertise in the development of dynamic linear technology, Sodick has further extended its range of high-accuracy, high-speed milling machines, with the new MC650L - shown for the first time at EMO 2005. The very high specification for the MC650L results in extremely high levels of accuracy, far beyond those normally associated with high speed milling, making it particularly appropriate for mould and die applications which call for maximum precision and surface quality, for example in the optical and electronic communication sectors. This high precision, linear motor drive machining centre offers the high rigidity, accuracy and performance that customers have come to expect of the smaller MC430, but with a larger table, extended stroke and open height, increased maximum tool length, and double the linear motor output power.

To ensure that the very high levels of dynamics and precision can be applied optimally to work-pieces, the MC650Lmachine bed features a cast construction for rigidity and stability - as evidenced by the machine weight of 8000kg.

However, while the machine itself offers solidity and strength, the software to operate it is lightning fast state-of- the-art technology, using the Sodick Motion Control closed regulating system which ensures that impulses from the direct measuring system are sent via the CNC core in real time, without detours, directly to the drive regulator.

With precision in the micron range, high-speed milling with up to 1G acceleration and extremely fast travel speeds, as well as maximum stability the MC650L continues to bring ground-breaking technology to milling applications such as the chamfering of punches for fine banking tools and dies, where previously the work was only possible using hand crafts.

Universal CNC miller includes 3 or 5-axis machining with a spindle head having swivel in B-axis for negative angles from -30 deg to +120 deg and cuts job times by 30%.

Performance without limits - the highest degree of flexibility, at the same price. The new DMU monoBLOCK machines, especially the EMO 2005 world premiere DMU 100 monoBLOCK, can be expanded in a modular fashion. These expansion options include 3 or 5-axis machining with various spindle-options ranging from 10,000 to 42,000 rev/min., as well as a new spindle head with a large swivel range in the B-axis for negative angles from -30 deg to +120 deg.

In addition, the minimum distance between the horizontal spindle and the table surface has been reduced to 188 mm.

These efficient DMG innovations available for the full range of universal machining, including high-speed applications, while providing an increase in accessibility and ease-of-use.

With the global success of the duoBLOCK machines, Deckel Maho is now expanding with the new DMU monoBLOCK Series, which will become the successors of the celebrated DMU T Series.

Considering the reduction in space requirements alone, it is obvious that the development goes far beyond a simple face-lift.

The new monoBLOCK machines are up to 25% more compact than their predecessors.

As convincing as this feature may be, productivity, flexibility and process safety have been greatly improved (especially due to the new scraper belt conveyor available in the standard configuration).

The new DMU monoBLOCK Series now covers the entire spectrum of milling technology, with the 3-axis version with a fixed table and manually swiveling milling head, up to the highest expansion level with a B-axis and NC-rotary table for 5-sided/5-axis machining.

At the center of all of the improvements is the increased acceleration values in the linear axes (up 100% increase), the 25% chip-to-chip time reduction and the up to 200% faster rotary axes in the 5-axis version, all of this with an increased table load.

The new DMU 60 monoBLOCK fixed table version now features a table load of 700 kg (previously 500 kg), and 500 kg (previously 350 kg) in the expanded NC-rotary table option Now the new 5-axis version has a much larger B-axis swivel range, a total of 150 deg (previously 103 deg), which allows the machining of negative angles up to 30 deg.

Combined with the reduction of the minimum distance between the horizontal spindle and table surface by 150mm.

to now only 188mm., this expands the production potential of the DMU monoBLOCK Series.

This expansion is apparent especially in sectors for 5-axis machining applications like tool, mould and model making.

Tests with representative customer workpieces have shown a time savings of up to 30%.

Both the 3-axis and the 5-axis version feature the monoBLOCK design, which offers excellent conditions for optimal ergonomics and fast set-up times.

Opening the rotating door gives access to the entire work area.

Maintenance has been equally well thought-out.

The innovative design of the insertion motor-spindle now allows a complete exchange in only 10h, rather than 16h like previous model.

Innovations DMU 60/80/100 monoBLOCK: * More than 30% time savings due to 0.7G acceleration, 25% reduced.

chip-to-chip times and up to three times faster rotary axes.

* 150 deg B-axis (optional) - negative angles up to 30 deg possible.

* More machining options - minimum distance between table surface and center of the horizontal milling spindle, 188mm.

* High process safety - due to the standard-equipped, integrated scraper-belt chip conveyor.

* 25% smaller footprint and reduced height due to compact monoBLOCK design.

* Standard with 3 axes, with an option up to 5 axes.

* NC-rotary table (optional) - max.

load up to 800kg, rapid traverse and feed up to 40 rev/min.

* DMG Control Panel with 3D control and 15 deg TFT-screen.

Tucked away in 24,000 square foot premises on the Heathfield Industrial Estate in Newton Abbot, Devon, UK, is an unusual example of a combined design and manufacturing expertise.

Tucked away in 24,000 square foot premises on the Heathfield Industrial Estate in Newton Abbot, Devon, UK, is an unusual example of a combined design and manufacturing expertise. The facility, which is home to 30 people, is shared between 4-Tech Systems and Robinson Instrument Machining (RIM). But what makes the arrangement out of the ordinary is the fact that, despite owning RIM, design specialist 4-Tech Systems accounts for just half the sub-contracting machinist's output.

The high performance motorsport components and after-market kits designed and supplied by 4-Tech Systems include fully machined cylinder heads and virtually any internal engine part from camshafts to valves.

One example of the company's design expertise quoted by Martin Case, 4-Tech Systems' managing director, is that modifications to one of the engine designs used in the British Superbike Championship has had its performance boosted by an additional 30HP.

A long-term user of XYZ ProTURN manual/CNC lathes, the past two years has seen RIM install four XYZ vertical machining centres, most recently a XYZ 1510 VMC and a XYZ 1010 VMC, together with a XYZ 250 TC turning centre.

Both VMCs are equipped with 11.5 kW BT 40 spindles providing a speed range of 60-12,000 rev/min and are programmed via the easy-to-use Siemens 810D conversational ShopMill control.

The XYZ 1510 VMC features X, Y and Z axis travels of 1510mm by 604mm by 604mm, while the equivalent figures for the XYZ 1010 VMC are 1010mm by 509mm by 509mm.

The XYZ 250 TC turning centre is powered by a 22.5kW spindle motor capable of 3500 rev/min, has a VDI turret holding up to 12 tools and is programmed via the Siemens conversational ShopTurn control.

Production of motorsport components for 4-Tech Systems involves RIM in the close tolerance machining of aluminium alloys and high-grade vacuum melt steels.

However, RIM also serves other demanding high technology industry sectors such as aerospace, medical, food and marine.

Other materials routinely machined by the ISO 9001-accredited sub-contractor include mild and stainless steels, titanium, brass and plastics.

This work, as with projects undertaken for 4-Tech Systems, is subject to competitive tendering, and reducing component cost and shortening lead times are significant factors when investing in new capital equipment.

RIM's managing director, Ron Robinson, points out that all customer projects are subject to stringent quality control and inspection procedures.

Motorsport components, for example, are highly stressed in use and conformance to specification is crucial in preventing premature failure.

According to 4-Tech Systems' Martin Case: 'Our customer base on the motorsport side goes from small, privately funded racing teams employing, say, three to six people to factory-backed OEM supported racing teams employing several hundred people.

And while we like to supply full systems, we can, and frequently do, design and supply single components.

This means that production equipment has to be equally flexible and capable of satisfying exacting quality standards.

The XYZ machines have given us the competitive edge we need and have done all that was expected of them and the after-sales support has been excellent.